Rainwater tanks are a popular way for Australians to save water, but new research has found they can also harbour potentially harmful bacteria and metals that could pose health concerns.
Rainwater tanks are a popular way for Australians to save water, but new research has found they can also harbour potentially harmful bacteria and metals that could pose health concerns.
Researchers from Adelaide University and Flinders University tested rainwater from 100 household tanks across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills, finding bacteria linked to gastroenteritis and other infections in a number of tanks.
The study found Campylobacter bacteria in 13% of tanks, Salmonella in 10%, Shigella in 3% (all linked to gastroenteritis) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (which causes other infections) in 12%. Bacteria were also detected in tanks used for drinking water.
Read More: Flanders University
Photo Credit: NAOKI NISHIMURA via Pixabay
