Posted by No matter if it is a commercial building or residential, water tank cleaning must not be neglected as water storage areas are at higher risks of bacterial growth, such as Legionella, E. coli, Pseudomonas, and TVC. When you ignore their routine cleaning and maintenance, they can easily harbor bacteria and therefore, become a substantial source of water-borne diseases among people who use water from such tanks. So, how can one make sure that their water tanks remain safe and fit for use? To find it out, go through the following points.
- First, Conduct a Thorough Assessment
Risk assessment of your water tank helps you inspect your water tank and find out the problems it might be posing to your health. A report after the assessment is presented that highlights all these problems and recommend remedial actions if needed. The assessment also helps in identifying if water stored in the tank has some kind of bacteria, such as Legionella that grow in stagnant water when it is warmed to above 20C.
You might not be aware, but the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) (L8) requires owners, caretakers, or managers of premises to inspect their water storage tanks regularly for controlling Legionella bacteria.
- Water Tank Cleaning and Maintenance
After completion of the assessment, if necessary, water storage tanks must be properly cleaned and then disinfected. While many people prefer to do this on their own, it is highly recommended to get your water tanks cleaned by trained professionals. There could be several issues that need to be addressed during water tank cleaning, such as corrosion and scale formation, bio-films that are known to harbor the Legionella bacteria, and sludge deposits.
If your water tank is too old and weak, it should be drained, dismantled, and removed and a new water tank system must be fitted. If it is in good condition in terms of structural strength and quality, then it must be drained and thoroughly cleaned. Take note that for proper cleaning, one needs to focus on its physical cleaning, which involves, draining, scrubbing, pressure washing, and disinfecting.
Then, the cleaning process should be followed by the chlorination of water tanks and pipework for the effective removal of bacteria and viruses.
To maintain the supply of water that is fit for use, make sure to perform water tank cleaning every six months.
- Regular Testing and Servicing
Regular water testing is important to ensure that there is nothing to worry about your water. In case, if there is something wrong with it, you can take action accordingly. So, water samples should be taken and analyzed annually or as recommended on the risk assessment report. It is especially important for high-risk water sources, such as water storage tanks. Water testing is done by adhering to a series of procedures to minimize the risk of water samples being altered before undergoing testing.
By following these three steps, you can rest assured that your water storage tank maintenance standards are being fulfilled and your water tank is completely fit for storing water.