The water treatment services’ water hygiene experts emphasize the value of water tank cleaning in this post, outlining the necessity for it as well as the correct procedure.
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The hazards posed by waterborne pathogens connected to water storage tanks, stagnation-related issues, the significance of routine cleaning and disinfection, and proper methods for doing so are the main topics of this article.
The fundamentals of cleaning a water tank
Water is kept in domestic water tanks for usage in a range of applications. The water in these tanks won’t flow as often as it would through the pipes that are used to distribute the water since they are made to hold higher amounts of water.
A risk assessment should be performed on every component of a hot and cold water system to determine the potential for Legionella bacteria. In addition, they need to be routinely maintained, cleaned, and examined to make sure the system is operating safely and that users are not put at unnecessary danger. If a water storage tank is to continue to be safe to use, it is imperative to comprehend the dangers presented by legionella and other germs.
Legionella: What is it?
People who breathe in small water droplets and vapour carrying Legionella are susceptible to respiratory ailments caused by this kind of bacterium. Pontiac fever is the term for the less severe form of the sickness, whereas legionnaires’ disease is the more dangerous type of pneumonia.
In hot and cold water systems, the bacterium may be controlled even though it can cause significant sickness. A legionella risk assessment is the first step in the procedure, and it will explain how legionella may grow in specific types of water sources, such water tanks.
Evaluating the danger of legionella
Every building’s water systems, including the water storage tanks, should undergo a legionella risk assessment. For the sake of this piece, though, we’ll concentrate on the dangers posed by the water tanks.
Compared to plumbing, faucets, and other frequently used water system components, there is a higher chance of bacteria like legionella growing in a home water tank due to its intended purpose of storing water.
Anywhere there is sluggish or poor water circulation, there is always a higher possibility of finding legionella. It prefers stagnant water, where it may grow unchecked. A water tank will still experience some stagnation, which can raise the danger, but not to the same extent as in a dead-leg or abandoned length of pipes, which is something that can be readily removed.
What are some ways to reduce water tank stagnation?
Even though it is hard to stop this from happening completely, if stagnation is present in water tanks, steps may be taken to lessen its amount. For instance, there may be situations in which the tank being used is too large for its intended usage. In this case, replacing it with a smaller tank would be excellent.
In other situations, there may be issues with the water system that prevent the flow rate from being as excellent as it may be, raising the possibility of stagnant water within the tank. Finding and fixing these issues can help the tank’s water quality and lessen the amount of stagnant water. As a result, there will be less chance for legionella and other bacteria to colonize that area of the water system.
The significance of routinely cleaning water storage tanks
An old water storage tank that has been around for a long time will never be as good as a new one. It may serve as a haven for rust from plumbing fixtures, silt in the water, and other detritus that enters the tank from the main water supply.
Professionals who have received the necessary training and certification should always clean tanks. Additionally, PPE gear should be worn by individuals to shield them from any germs, spray, or debris that may be produced or removed. To make sure that nobody else is in the area while the work is being done, it is also a good idea to post signs before the job starts.
How is a water tank cleaned?
Prior to starting any cleaning, the storage tank should always be disconnected and emptied. It is strongly advised to take pictures of the tank both before and after draining it so that the images may be used in the documentation procedure.
After that, any dirt on the inside walls of the empty tank may be scraped clean. To get rid of every last bit of dirt in the tank, use a wet vacuum. After that, the water tank may be examined to see if there is any damage or ongoing problems. It’s important to check the walls for leaks once the tank has been filled and cleansed.
Lastly, the water can be chlorinated and disinfected, with the amount needed based on the tank’s capacity. After testing the outlets, the water system is recommissioned and the chlorine in the water is neutralized.
All of the standards for cleaning water tanks are outlined in BS8558:2015. To do this work, you must possess the necessary degree of skill. If not, you may hire a qualified specialist in water hygiene to do routine water tank cleaning on your behalf.
Skilled approaches to water management
To assist people in charge of ensuring the security of water systems, such as proprietors of businesses, landlords, statutory duty holders, and responsible individuals, Water Treatment Services provides a variety of specialized water management solutions.
Get in touch with us right now to find out how our experts in water safety and legionella can help you manage your water systems, stay in compliance with regulations, and ultimately keep people safe.
Offering specialized Authorizing Engineer support, legionella risk assessments, training, water quality analysis, and other risk management solutions throughout Melbourne and internationally, we are supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians and engineers. Our offices are located in Melbourne.