Sewage overflows at home
Sewage contains harmful microorganisms such equally bacteria, viruses and protozoa, which can cause illnesses like gastroenteritis. Sewage overflows can be caused by damaged or blocked plumbing, sewerage system backflow, septic tank impairment and flood water.
If your abode has an overflow, protecting yourself and your family should be your elevation priority.
Avoid direct contact with sewage and any contaminated surfaces.
Thoroughly disinfect every surface touched by sewage.
Make sure yous habiliment protective clothing when cleaning and disinfecting, including safety gloves, boots and eye protection. Use an uncontaminated water supply when cleaning – practise not apply your own water supply if you are unsure of its quality.
If a sewage disposal system is non properly maintained information technology volition not be able to get rid of the sewage safely. Proper maintenance of a sewerage system means all faulty (blocked, damaged, broken or worn-out) parts must be repaired as soon as possible subsequently they stop working correctly.
Public health advice
- Exercise good hygiene and wash your hands frequently, especially after touching contaminated surfaces and before preparing food.
- Make clean and disinfect all contaminated areas.
- Keep children and pets abroad from contaminated objects and areas until they have been disinfected.
- Contact a plumber if you suspect your plumbing or septic tank system is damaged.
- Make clean out silt and debris from septic tanks. This should be pumped out by a professional as soon as possible once it is safety for the vehicle to access your tank. Refer to your local business directory to suit a septic tank pumping service by a licensed contractor.
- Contacting your local h2o business or local council if sewage is leaking exterior your property boundary. Your local h2o business tin can access the problem. Depending on the leak's location, this could either exist the water business' or the householder's responsibility.
- If your private water has been contaminated, use bottled or boiled water for non-drinking uses instead, such equally washing dishes and brushing your teeth.
- Seek medical communication if you become ill or injured.
Clean-up procedures
- Utilise a chlorine solution of i cup of household chlorine bleach with 10 litres of cold h2o (roughly a bucketful) equally a disinfectant.
- Make sure electrical hazards are dealt with before you start cleaning. Telephone call a licensed electrician to do this for you, or else switch off the power at the business firm switchboard or fuse box.
- Wear protective clothing including rubber gloves, boots and eye protection.
- Wash your easily frequently with lather and water. If you become anything on you while cleaning, launder yourself immediately.
- Sweep out water. Discard whatsoever contaminated household materials that cannot be effectively cleaned or disinfected, which may include carpeting, mattresses, upholstered article of furniture or children'due south soft toys.
- Discard contaminated drywall, plasterboard and insulation. Consult a building practitioner if you are don't know how to do this or are concerned about the structural integrity.
- Soak utensils in a chlorine solution Rinse in clean cold water.
- To disinfect hard surfaces, utilise a chlorine solution and go out wet for ten minutes. Rinse the surface afterwards with clean cold h2o.
- Disinfect cleaning mops, brooms and brushers with the bleach solution.
- Clean and disinfecting all contaminated areas with common cold water and detergent, and then disinfect with a chlorine solution. Pay special attention to cooking utensils and surfaces, such as walls, benchtops and floors. Throw out all food, food containers and medicines that have been affected, including canned and packaged food.
- Clean and dry dirty footwear, and wash affected dress in hot h2o and soap. Practise not mix with unaffected footwear or habiliment. Brand sure to launder your work clothes when yous've finished cleaning.
- Ensure y'all have adequate ventilation inside the firm to help the drying process. Fans, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers can aid.
- Attend to cuts and wounds immediately. Disinfect the wound then cover with a waterproof dressing. Go on open wounds as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean water.
- Mould or mildew may develop if things are not completely dried. The Section of Health and Homo Services provides information and advice on how to clean mould.
- If the outside of your home has been afflicted, utilise a chlorine solution to clean whatever hard surfaces. More detailed advice on managing sewage is provided by the Department of Wellness and Human Services .
Where to get help
- Contact your local water business concern or council'south Ecology Health Officer for communication.
- Section of Wellness and Human Services, H2o Unit Tel. 1300 761 874
- For emergency help in floods, call the State Emergency Services Victoria Tel. 132 500 .
- If you or anyone in your family feels unwell, see your doctor.
- Local h2o business
- A registered plumber
