Decomposed kangaroo found in water tank in Glass House Mountains

A water tank cleaning company has made a distressing discovery during a routine inspection that should be a warning to every homeowner with a tank. Warning: Graphic images

A Gympie-based water tank cleaning company made a disturbing discovery during a routine inspection in the Glass House Mountains region - an entire decomposed kangaroo inside of a resident’s rainwater tank.

A Gympie-based water tank cleaning company made a disturbing discovery during a routine inspection in the Glass House Mountains recently - an entire decomposed kangaroo inside a residential rainwater tank.

Pristine Water Systems owner Reece Gendron, who services areas including Gympie, Cooloola, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Noosa, and the Glass House Mountains, was called in for a free standard inspection after the homeowner noticed an unusual smell in her water upon returning from a short trip.

What was meant to be a simple check quickly turned grim when the team discovered the rotting remains of the kangaroo inside the tank.

What was meant to be a simple check quickly turned grim when the team discovered the rotting remains of the kangaroo inside the tank.

Mr Gendron explained that the water tank was level with the grass, had been covered with a tile held in place by a brick, and believes the kangaroo may have stepped onto the unsecured cover, causing it to fall into the tank and become trapped.

“Possums and pythons are the most common animals we find in water tanks,” he said.

“This is definitely one of the more extreme cases, though.”

Despite the horrifying sight, Mr Gendron reassured that decomposed animals in a water tank don’t necessarily make people sick.

Despite the horrifying sight, Mr Gendron reassured that decomposed animals in a water tank did not necessarily make people sick.

“Pythons actually make the water worse, but it’s usually faeces sitting at the bottom of a tank that gets people sick,” he said.

Even so, the discovery highlights the importance of regular tank maintenance with Mr Gendron recommending inspections every one to two years and a thorough clean every three to five years, depending on the tank’s location and exposure to contaminants.

The contaminated water inside of the residential water tank that the kangaroo was retrieved from.

While this case was an extreme example, it served as a warning for others relying on rainwater for household use.

Pristine Water Systems has urged locals to check their tanks regularly and ensure proper coverings to prevent animals from getting inside.

“If you haven’t had your tank cleaned in a while, now’s the time to call the pros,” the company posted online alongside chilling images of the skeleton and discolored water.

For anyone relying on rainwater, this serves as a stark reminder that routine maintenance isn’t just about clean water, it’s about ensuring no unexpected guests make their way inside.

Originally published as Decomposed kangaroo found in water tank in Glass House Mountains