Cleaning and Maintaining Water Storage Tanks

The primary focus of water tank maintenance procedures should be to keep all components clean and to minimise the risk of contamination/rubbish either entering or remaining in rainwater tanks & water storage tanks.

For rainwater tanks, the catchment area should be kept clear of debris. The roof should be washed clean once or twice a year and in particular should be cleaned toward the end of the dry season. Gutters should be cleaned regularly to remove leaves, collected dirt etc.

In areas subject to large amounts of wind-borne dust the roof and gutters may need to be cleaned more frequently.

Inlet screens and first flush/bypass devices for rainwater harvesting should be cleaned regularly and kept in good repair.

All water tanks should be examined for the accumulation of sludge every 2-3 years, or if sediment is evident in the water flow. Sludge can provide an environment for survival and/or growth of micro-organisms and in some cases relatively high concentrations of lead have been detected in sludge even though the body of stored rainwater complied with drinking water guidelines.
Outlet taps are generally near the bottom of water tanks and as sludge accumulates the likelihood of material being re-suspended and being removed with rainwater increases. Concentrations of lead exceeding the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC/ARMCANZ, 1996) have been detected in water containing barely visible particulates of sludge that were resuspended by water flowing through the outlet tap.

Sludge may be removed by siphoning without emptying the water tank. To do this, use an inverted funnel in the end of a hose and move it carefully across the bottom of the tank. The sludge plus the lower portion of water in the water tank can then be released to waste. If leaves and coarser debris are present in the sludge, a siphon hose of approximately 50 mm diameter should be used.

Sludge may also be pumped from the water tank with minimum loss of water by using a suitable motor operated pump and attachments.

Finally sludge can also be removed by draining and manually cleaning the water tank. If a drain plug is provided at the base of the water tank, water can be run to waste to discharge the sludge. Once the water tank is empty, the remaining sludge can be scooped up and removed through the access opening. Care should be taken not to disturb the protective film on the inside surface of steel tanks and higher quality plastic water tanks.

Professional tank cleaners (generally listed in telephone directories) may also be available to de-sludge water tanks.

Organic material removed from the water tank may be disposed of in the garden by spreading and digging into garden beds. Alternatively sludge should be disposed of at a licensed waste depot.

Where cleaning necessitates entering the water tank, care should be taken to ensure adequate ventilation is provided and an additional person is in attendance. Advice on working in confined spaces should be available from Occupational, Health, Safety and Welfare authorities in each State and Territory.

It is important to check the structural condition of the water tank before choosing a method of cleaning. Harsh cleaning methods may accelerate deterioration. In the case of a steel water tank, removal of the protective layer on the inside walls will lead to tank corrosion.

Cleaning agents that might release hazardous fumes or adversely affect water quality after cleaning should not be used. After cleaning it is recommended that the internal walls and floor of the water tank be rinsed with clean water. Rinse water and sediment should be run to waste.

Discarded water should be diverted away from the water tank foundations, buildings and other structures.

Source: Water Tank Secrets

In South Africa, the varying quality of water and differing water supply sources make it difficult to recommend a cleaning period interval for rainwater tanks and water storage tanks.  Where water is abstracted from a river or dam with a high silt load, the water tank may need periodic draining and cleaning every year whereas if the water entering the water tank has been filtered, cleaning may only be required every few years.  In all cases it is important to regularly inspect rainwater tanks and water tanks and always ensure the inspection manhole/lid is tightly closed to prevent debris contamination and infestation by organisms.  High quality water poly or plastic water tanks such as those made by JoJo Tanks (South Africa) have a food-grade lining on the inside of the tank to ensure the water stored inside is not contaminated by the plastic walls.  When manually cleaning JoJo water tanks, ensure that the special lining is not damaged.

JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands.  See JoJo Tanks VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS, STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS. Also see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.

JoJo’s superior polyethylene plastic water tanks and steel water tank stands make JoJo Tanks the leaders in plastic water tank technology and the quality, affordability and guarantee on these water tanks make JoJo products the best choice in South Africa.  JoJo’s water tanks and chemical tanks come standard with a number of features that are often lacking on cheaper/inferior plastic tanks made by other companies in South Africa.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa and dispatch orders directly from JoJo Tank depots to save on transport costs. Full range of JoJo Tanks products and JoJo water tanks for sale.  CONTACT US for a quote on the right JoJo water tank or other JoJo product for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders of chemical tanks and water tanks and to our commercial and government customers.

SPECIAL ON MULTIPLE ORDERS OF 10000 LITRE WATER TANKS…CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTE!