The Department of Health is advising the public to check their water tanks in the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo.

A spokeswoman for the department said that since the storm’s impact, they have received numerous calls and questions regarding the treatment of water tanks following storms.

“After a hurricane it may be noticed that your tank water has been affected,” she said. “Typically during a hurricane, the temperature is elevated (as it is the summer season), the salinity of tank water may increase from windblown spray (even inshore) and the close passage of a storm will cause a dip in pressure — all things which limit the amount of oxygen that dissolves in the water.

“To make matters worse vegetation sometimes enters the tank. Normal bacterial action on this matter then has the potential to use up all the remaining oxygen in the water.

“As these aerobic bacteria then die off it allows an explosion in the population of anaerobic organisms. These new organisms do not live by biological oxidation but instead use inorganic salts such as sulphates that are in the water.

“As a consequence the water begins to smell from the by-products of their metabolism. This is often reported as a ‘bad egg’ smell.”

If members of the public are experiencing such issues, the department recommends that they remove as much vegetation from the tanks as possible, emptying the tank completely if there is an excessive amount.

They then recommend aerating the tank, setting your garden hose nozzle onto the roof or onto the surface of the water in your tank, and chlorinating the water to reduce the amount of bacteria.

“Chlorination should only be performed if the water is clear and the tank relatively free of sludge,” she said. “Organic matter contained in the sludge inhibits disinfection.”

If the water in the tank is salty, the department recommends that the tank be emptied and refilled, or that bottled water be used for drinking.

The spokeswoman also noted that by law, water tanks must be cleaned at least every six years.

For more water advisories, visit the Environmental Health section of the Department of Health website.