After the recent fires and weather events, we understand that this may be a difficult time for many of our customers. We hope your families, team members and animals are safe.
At Virotec, we are proud of our history of helping people through tough times and crisis. With our team members being personally affected by the bushfires, we are here to help our communities and customers recover from the recent bushfire crisis and natural disasters.
Being involved in a bushfire can be a difficult experience, but there are people and organisations that can help you. Below are some tips and resources to assist through the recovery period to help you rebuild your home or workplace.
Contamination – Soil & Water
Bushfires have the potential to degrade water quality and alter the dynamics of stream ecosystems in many complex ways. Most critical effects occur if there is heavy rain soon after fire, as loss of vegetation and altered soil structure can make fire-affected soils more erodible. Runoff can carry sediments and pollutants that affect aquatic environments, drinking water quality and agricultural industries. Rainwater may be contaminated by debris, dead birds or animals, fire retardants, or large amounts of ash.
If you are concerned that your rainwater tastes, looks or smells unusual, or you suspect your rainwater has been contaminated, an alternative safe water supply, such as bottled water, should be used for drinking, preparing food or ice, cleaning teeth and given to animals until your tank can be cleaned and refilled.
The water may also be contaminated if:
• the tank has been burnt by fire and/or the internal lining material is damaged
• the plumbing to or from the tank is damaged
• the water level has increased due to water bombing.
Depending on the degree of contamination, the rainwater may be suitable for toilet flushing, garden watering, washing clothes, fire-fighting or washing down surfaces.
If you are worried about the level of contaminants in your area, please contact us, we are happy to help.
Here to Help
Lifeline – Bush Fire Relief Resources
