Water Tank Cleaning explained

Clean water is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle and something many of us may take for granted. We use it to stay hydrated, clean, and a range of other things. Keeping your water tank clean is an integral part of supplying safe water to everybody that uses it and, if you run a business, it’s part of your duty of care to ensure it’s free from any unwanted bacteria or dirt. If you have a domestic tank at home, then water tank cleaning will make sure your water is safe for you and your family and a specialist water hygiene company will be able to clean it for you.

Drinking water helps to keep us hydrated and removes toxins from our system, however, when water becomes contaminated it poses health risks that can’t be ignored. Hiring a professional to carry out domestic tank cleaning will ensure your water is safe and compliant.

Unsafe water is one of the leading causes of death in the world and not getting your water tank cleaned regularly can be fatal. Professional water tank cleaning will ensure your water tank is clean and safe, so it’s wise to get this done regularly. Here is why it’s important to get your water tank cleaned.

What do Water Tank Cleaning services involve?

The water tank cleaning services required will depend on the size and type of the tank as well as the complexity of the tank, premises, and water system involved. To determine what services need to be carried out, an engineer will run a full risk assessment of the tank and create a plan that determines what needs to be done.

Your water tank will then be drained and cleared of any contaminant deposits that may have built up. The water hygiene company will then use chemicals, disinfecting methods, and techniques to clean your tank.

The time it takes to clean your water tank will also depend on the size and complexity of your system. However, you can expect it to take around 3-5 hours to complete. It’s wise to have your water tank inspected annually to ensure there is no contamination and expect to get it cleaned every two to three years depending on build-up.

How do I know if I have good water quality?

To ensure your water is safe and clean, it needs to be kept at the right pH level which is why water tank cleaning is so important. Regular inspections will help you to know if any problems need to be sorted to help you keep peace of mind. Different water tanks will need cleaning at different times but you should get your tank cleaned if you’ve had a new installation of a hot and cold water system or new components have been installed in your water system. Also, if the system has not been used for some time or if a routine inspection flags up any contamination.

Legionnaires disease is a serious health concern so if an outbreak is traced back to your water system, you’ll need your tank cleaned to rid it of any potential dangers.

The risk of not cleaning your water tank

The major risk of not getting your water tank cleaned is the growth of bacteria that can lead to potentially fatal diseases and infections. The presence of things like algae can carry harmful toxins which are dangerous to humans, animals, and plants. There are a range of other bacteria that can build up in your water tank and lead to illness.

Legionella

Stagnant, low-circulation water sources are the ideal breeding grounds for dangerous bacteria like Legionella and therefore carry a big risk of causing Legionnaires’ disease. A build-up of dirt, debris, and biofilm can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria in the water system. Whether you have a domestic or commercial water tank, it still runs the risk of becoming contaminated but larger and more complex tanks run a bigger risk of the bacteria spreading. This is why it is so important to ensure your tank is regularly cleaned to stop the uncontrolled spread of bacteria.

For most people, Legionnaires’ disease is simply a slight fever or cold but it can be fatal for the elderly or ill of health. Legionnaires’ disease is caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water so you don’t even need to drink it to become ill. The disease is more prevalent in the summer months when the water is warm enough for bacteria to thrive but it is important to take preventative measures all around to ensure your water is safe. Getting a specialist water hygiene company to take care of your water tank cleaning will help put your mind at ease and ensure that the job is done properly and adheres to all water tank regulations.

Pseudomonas

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for causing a range of infections, particularly in immunocompromised people. This type of bacteria is known for thriving in large water systems and caused an outbreak in Northern Ireland hospitals in 2012, in which four babies died.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa lives in the environment and can be spread to people when they are exposed to water or soil that is contaminated with these germs. Resistant strains of the germ can also spread from one person to another through contaminated hands, equipment, or surfaces.

Water Tank Cleaning Health and Safety

The Health and Safety Executive’s HSG274 guidelines and code of practice (ACOP L8) state that tanks should be inspected at least once a year, or more often if contamination is found. You must ensure your water tank is compliant to keep it safe for everyone that works, visits, or lives near it. For details on how to get a chlorination certificate, check out our chlorination service.

Water Tank Cleaning services are cost-effective

Getting your water tank cleaned will be beneficial in the long run because it helps with general upkeep and maintenance. Things like rust, corrosion, pollutants, bacteria, and sludge will make your tank disintegrate faster. So, preventing the build-up of any of these is imperative in prolonging the lifespan of your tank and saves you time, money, and effort that you would need to spend on costly repairs.

What if I have a water filtration system?

Having a water filtration system will not guarantee your water quality is safe. If the water tank is already contaminated the filtration system can’t filter out all the dangerous bacteria. Filtration systems are not 100% effective and if the tank is already unclean it won’t be able to filter out the particles that can cause diseases. If your household has a water tank for drinking water, it’s essential it is maintained and cleaned to ensure the water is safe enough to drink. If you have a cold water tank, contamination can still occur so, getting regular inspections and hiring professional water tank cleaning services is a must.

The benefits of good water quality

There are numerous benefits of having good water quality, as safe water is the key to life! Having a good quality supply of water will ensure everybody who uses it won’t catch any water-related illnesses. In your body, it helps regulate your temperature, lubricates cushions and joints, and protects sensitive tissues. It’s also much better for the environment to maintain the correct pH of your water and ensure it isn’t harbouring bacteria that could be dangerous, not only to you but to other wildlife as well.

Find quality Water Tank Cleaning Services for your water system

H2O Comply is the leading water hygiene company in the South East, specialising in water tank cleaning services. We offer water tank disinfection and cleaning services to prevent the build-up of dangerous bacteria such as Legionella, E.coli, Pseudomonas, and TVS, to help you maintain a high level of water hygiene.

We can help you provide safe and compliant water to your business or home by offering BS8558-compliant water sanitation services throughout London and the South East to keep your tanks and pipes sanitary and clean.

We provide everything you need for safe water, from sampling services and Legionella assessments to disinfection and chlorination. Our team of qualified water treatment engineers are on hand to help you, so give us a call at 0800 6893 463 or send us an email.