The clean-up is now on after the Newcastle and Hunter Valley storms. Hunter New England Health is providing advice on how to clean-up household rainwater tanks and swimming pools.

Hunter New England Health is also providing advice for residents with vegetable gardens that may have been inundated with stormwater.

Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said when a swimming pool has been inundated with floodwater there are many issues that need to be considered.

"Once the stormwaters have receded the swimming pool needs to be assessed to determine that the fencing is intact to prevent children from accidental drowning," Dr Durrheim said.

"The contents of the pool need to be assessed. If the pool has silt or soil in it from the stormwater it may need to be pumped or bucketed out.

"The local council needs to be consulted as to where the pool contents may be discharged. It is not appropriate to pump the pool out to the sewer.

"If the pool starts to turn green then an algal bloom is developing. A local swimming pool shop should be consulted to determine the best practice to minimise the algal bloom," Dr Durrheim said.

For household rainwater tanks do-it-yourself tank cleaning presents a number of risks including working in confined spaces.

"Tanks with a ‘cone scour’ base are easy to clean by simply opening the cleaning outlet to allow the water to gush out with the sludge then rinse with a hose.

Small, flat-bottomed tanks can be drained, rinsed with a hose and tilted to drain. One method of cleaning big flat-bottomed tanks is to get inside with a bucket, shovel and broom and dig out the sludge.

 "A second person should be present to ensure the safety of the person inside the tank. Clean a big tank early in the morning or when the area is shaded to avoid heat exhaustion.

"For light inside the tank, use a battery lantern not a flame or electric extension. If chemicals are being used for repairs inside, a respirator may be necessary," Dr Durrheim said.