Bacteria in water supply

Information for Queensland public housing tenants

Drinking water is treated to make it safe, but bacteria can still be present at very low levels. Bacteria can become a problem if it’s allowed to multiply to levels that cause illness.

Bacteria can multiply in your home's water system, including:

• the hot water system
• water lines, taps and outlets that are seldom used.

Preventing bacteria

Don’t adjust the hot water system

Hot water systems are designed to operate without any adjustment. The manufacturer pre-sets the temperature and only a qualified tradesperson should adjust it.

If you believe the temperature is too hot, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.

Your hot water system should already have a tempering valve installed. However, if there isn’t one, we can have one installed.

By law, tempering valves must be fitted during bathroom upgrades or major replacement of water devices to reduce the risk of scalding.

Keep the hot water system on

Do not turn your hot water system off to save electricity unless you’re going away for an extended period, such as 3 months. Keeping the system on at all times will keep the water hot enough to kill bacteria.

When you get back, make sure the unit has reached its full temperature before using the hot water.

Turn taps and outlets on regularly

Turn your taps or water outlets on at least once every 2 months, including those inside and outside your home.

Let water flow to clean out any still water in the pipe. If you only have cold water connected to your washing machine, try turning the hot water on and catching the water in a bucket until it is half-full.

Warning stickers

During inspections of government-owned social housing, a warning sticker will be placed on all hot water systems that have storage capacity (including electric, gas, heat pump and solar).

We don’t put stickers on hot water systems that don’t have storage capacity (including instantaneous or continuous flow hot water systems).

Read more information about hot water systems in public housing properties.