How To Maintain The Tanks for The Best Water Quality

It is very disappointing to invest in a rainwater tank and after proper installation and adequate rainfall, the water tank and the water quality does not impress. Maintenance of the storage systems will usually keep the system performing at their prime but neglect can do the exact opposite. When there is poor maintenance, there will be more cases of blockage, backwards flow and contamination. Generally, maintenance ensures that the repair costs are kept low.

Be cautious about smells, algae and potential micro-organisms

It is always okay to cross check the smell and the taste of the water. If there is algae in the water, it means that the hygiene standards are poor. Algae buildup is unsightly and very harmful to the family’s health. Adding algae fighting compounds will help kill the algae, but that would make the water bad for human consumption. It is better to prevent algae cases instead of fixing the problems when they occur. Some maintenance tasks include cleaning, checking the condition of the first flush device and performing roof maintenance tasks.

Cleaning the system

In the first three to six months, the first flash device can be disconnected and cleaned. In some cases, the first flash device may be clogged with items that will not come out easily by simply activating the first flash cap. The filtration system and may have undergone some damage. The filtration system and the mosquito proofing system need to be checked frequently and replaced if they are damaged. Modern  materials are more resistant to tear and corrosion, but it does not hurt to give them a quick glance just to be sure that they are in working order.

The 6 month checks on the filtration system and mosquito proofing system ensures that mosquitoes pose minimal health risks. In some jurisdictions, random checks by authorities can be done to ensure that homeowner’s do not expose neighbours to conditions that encourage mosquito breeding.  Manual cleaning of the roof and unclogging of gutters should also be done within the 6 months cleaning. Always check if the roof and gutters have signs of animals living around.

Maintenance checks that are done every 2 to 3 years include tank flushes to remove sediment and sludge.  Removal of sludge is done to make sure that any chemical additions or any micro-particles that may have entered the tank and settled are removed. Sludge removal has to be done more often if the tank has been opened many times or has been exposed to open air. This is the time to confirm if all the pipes are in their original position. Removal of the first flush system a couple of times or a number of unblocking jobs done in the past are likely to shift the piping or the pump a bit.

How to keep the Water Quality at its best.

For the best water quality, people first need to understand the tell-tale signs of contaminated or dirty water. These include: