If you use rainwater for drinking or other domestic purposes guidelines are available to maintain water quality.

Rainwater tanks can be installed in most locations, rural and residential. Refer to information relating to Development Controls or contact Council for further information. 

If you operate a business that uses rainwater for food preparation or drinking water for the public there are maintenance and testing requirements that should be complied with.  In most areas of Australia the risk of illness arising from rainwater consumption is relatively low, providing it is visually clear, has little taste or smell and importantly, the storage and collection of rainwater is via a well maintained tank and roof catchment system.  The main sources of taste and odour are:

• dead animals;
• sediment and/or slime in the tank or pipework;
• soil and decaying vegetation accumulated in guttering;
• algal growth in pipework or open tanks;
• pollen.

Potential hazards and health risks may include:

• animal droppings;
• dead animals and insects;
• mosquitoes (tank may be a breeding site);
• industrial or urban traffic emmissions;
• pesticides from agricultural use;
• smoke, ash, retardants and debris from bushfires;
• slow-combustion heaters;
• roof materials (lead, treated timber, asbestos, paints);
• accumulated sediments;
• dangerous plants.

For further information regarding the use of rainwater tanks see:

Fact Sheet Rainwater Tanks

Guidance on the use of Rainwater Tanks - ENHEALTH