Keeping water tanks clean reduces the growth of bacteria, and makes for safe and clean drinking water. In addition to regular visual inspection, it is also important to take a sample of the water for lab testing when there are significant changes in color, consistency, or density.
Clean & Rinse
The first step in cleaning a water tank is to empty it of its contents. This is done by opening the outlet valve or tap at the bottom of the tank, and directing the flow away from plants and into an area where it won’t cause erosion or flooding.
A scrubber or brush, soapy water, and a pressure washer can be used to thoroughly scrub the inside of the tank. This is best done by those certified to work in enclosed spaces, as entering the tank can be dangerous. Once the tank has been scrubbing it should be rinsed thoroughly until all traces of detergent are gone, usually using a high-pressure hose or water jet.
Disinfect
Depending on the size of the tank, a calculated ratio of water and chlorine bleach should be added to the tank and allowed to sit for a minimum of 4 hours to disinfect the tank. Again, the tank should be rinsed until all traces of the bleach solution are gone.
After all of the above steps are complete, the tank can be filled with fresh water. It is recommended that a test be performed to determine whether the water in the tank is safe for consumption, or to use for irrigation purposes. cleaning water tanks