Smokey Water: Where Did it Come From, and What to Do Next

There’s nothing better in the colder season than curling up beside a warm, crackling fire, comforted by the smell of wood smoke in the air.

That same smoke, however, is far less charming when it turns up in your drinking water—bringing with it an unpleasant taste and visible sooty residue swirling in your glass. Smoke contamination in your water isn’t just off-putting; it can pose serious health risks if left unaddressed.

Identifying and resolving the source as soon as possible is the best way to keep your household safe and healthy this winter.

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire

Smoke, soot, and ash can find their way into your water tank in several ways, with the most common being soot particles settling on your roof and then washing into the tank during rainfall.

Possible sources include:

Leaks or faults in your chimney or flue
Soot drifting from a nearby or neighbourhood fire

Smoke can travel surprisingly far before settling. In fact, there have even been instances where water tanks in New Zealand were affected by smoke and ash from bushfires all the way over in Australia.

More Than Meets the Eye

What you can see in your water is bad enough, but what you>can’t see is far more concerning.

Carbon Overload
The main content of soot is likely carbon, which is difficult to remove. However carbon filters help remove the smell and taste from your water, also making it safe for showering.

What Filtration Can’t Fix
Soot can also bring along things that are even more dangerous than carbon. Carcinogens such as arsenic, cadmium, and chromium may be present, and unlike carbon particles, these can’t be filtered out.

Exposure to carcinogens can increase your risk of developing cancer, making their presence in drinking water a serious concern.

Your Action Plan

Ditch the Dirty Water
Whilst carbon filters may be a short term fix, the potential risks of carcinogens should not be overlooked and need to be addressed promptly. Vacuuming the physical sediment from the tank and discarding the contaminated water, and replacing it with fresh water, is the safest way to ensure your household is left with clean and safe water.
Stay Safe Until the Clean
Until your tank is properly cleaned, use bottled water for drinking and cooking. If you have the option to install a water filter, adding a carbon filter may help reduce smell/taint issues when showering.
Stop It at the Source
To ensure this issue doesn’t arise again, we recommend getting specialist advice on the cause of the contamination. This could include a professional chimney or flue inspection or testing your bore/surface water source if your tank is not rain fed.
Flush Away the Last Traces
Give your roof a good clean, then flush out the downpipes to clear away any lingering soot residue. It’s a good idea to disconnect the downpipes for a little while so nothing washes into your tank.

Wrapping it Up

Keeping your water safe is too important to leave to chance. If you notice smoke, soot, or anything unusual in your tank, act quickly to protect your health and your household. A full clean and fresh refill is the safest solution.

If something’s not right with your water, we’re only a phone call away.

We’re always happy to chat and help you keep it fresh, clean, and safe ✅📞