Easy Ways to Keep Your Household Water Tank Clean
Whether your rainwater tank is serving your garden or your household, taking steps to keep it clean throughout the year ensures you can use it safely and consistently. With the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting that the total water storage capacity throughout the country rose by 30 percent between 2006 and 2011, it's clear an increasing number of households are seeing the benefit of water storage. From limescale to animals, there are numerous sources of contamination you can prevent.
Keeping mosquitoes at bay
Mosquitoes love to thrive around stagnant sources of water, such as lakes and water tanks. While the majority of tank owners use mosquito nets to alleviate the problem, consistent maintenance is the key to ensuring they do their job. Check the tank every six months to ensure there are no rips and check that inlet and outlet flaps are secure. Because mosquitoes carry diseases such as Dengue fever and Ross River virus, performing such maintenance could also protect your health.
Kiss goodbye to rainwater tank sludge
Ideally, you'll prevent rainwater tank sludge before it begins, which means clearing your gutters every three months. The longer leaves remain in gutters, the more likely they will turn to sludge. In addition, a small number of household gutters contain faecal matter, which means they act as a source of infection. Sludge may still accumulate, despite your best efforts, which means using a professional contractor to clean your tanks every two to three months to tackle unseen sediment is the best way to ensure it's as clean as possible.
Keep the light under control
While the majority of households use their water tanks for activities such as washing clothes, a few use them for drinking water. In both cases, reducing the growth of algae is good for your health. Because algae thrive as they come into contact with light, reducing the amount of time sunlight comes into contact with the water tank is essential. In addition to keeping your tank away from too much sunlight, check your water quality every three to six months. Look out for tell-tale signs such as unusual odours and clouding, which indicate that it's unclean.
Depending on the nature of your tank, there are other small checks you can make too. This includes making sure the foundations are even and that any pumping systems are operating fully. With a little attention from time to time, your water tank will remain clean, giving you the assurance that its contents are safe for use.
