'Boil Water Alert' precautions for water header tanks
When a boil water alert is lifted, building owners/managers should take a number of precautions before allowing water from building storage header tanks to be consumed.
If the storage header tank hasn't been cleaned in the previous 12 months:
- The tank should be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with Australian Standard 3500 TITLE: National Plumbing and Drainage Code
- Taps or drinking fountains should also be run for one minute to flush the water standing in the pipes before water is used normally.
If the tank has been cleaned in the previous 12 months:
- The tank should drained and refilled before the water is declared safe for drinking, OR
- Taps or drinking fountains should then be run for one minute to flush the water standing in the pipes before water is used normally.
'Boil Water Alert' precautions for:
Schools and child care centres
Topping up swimming pools and spas
Commercial establishments serving food or drink to the public
This web page is managed and authorised by Environmental Health of Centre for Health Protection of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 31 March, 2009