Water is our most precious resource. In a similar way that all drinking water is regularly maintained and cleaned, the same applies for rainwater tanks and systems. If you own a water tank, then you probably already know that they require a certain amount of upkeep to ensure that the tank is operating at the optimal level and the water you are getting from it is of a high quality.
“A lot of people are not aware that rainwater quality is affected as soon as it hits our roof,” said Ryan Davies, owner and operator of Controlled Property Services in Maleny, specialising in water tank cleaning.
“It is so important to keep your gutters and tanks clean. Hazardous matter found in tanks can include organic sludge, silt and ashes, animal droppings and even decaying carcasses.
“Parasites such as Giardia, Bacteria such as E.Coli and Cryptosporidium, and insect larvae from mosquitoes and sandflies can also be present in tanks and these can potentially cause illness to your family.”
Ryan recommends a clean of your water tank about every two years (depending on the tree coverage over the roof line), and to clean tanks while there is plenty of water in them rather than waiting until water levels are low.
“Incoming water will stir up any sludge and sediment at the bottom of your tank and this will then contaminate the fresh water.
“It is also a good idea to clean your roof gutters every three months and keep an eye on your gutter mesh for bugs and leaf litter,” he said.
“If you have a lot of trees surrounding your tanks, you will want to keep a closer eye on them though because it stands to reason that there is more likelihood of leaf litter or bird or animal droppings making their way into your tank.”
Tank cleaning also offers additional benefits than just water quality.
“Regular cleaning will minimise damage to your pump, increase the longevity of water filters, and reduce the possibility of damage to your household taps,” he said.
“If you find that you have coloured or bad tasting water coming out of your taps, it is definitely time to have your tank cleaned.”
A plumber by trade, Ryan can also check on your pipes and taps to make sure they are in good working order.
“I offer First Flush system installations on downpipes and Leaf Eater installations to minimise contaminants entering your water tanks,” said Ryan. “This is a great way to keep your tanks clean and water safe between cleaning.
“This time of year is an optimum time to service your tanks because we generally experience a higher level of rainfall. February is usually the wettest month on the Sunshine Coast.”
Ryan will travel all over the Sunshine Coast and hinterland so give him a call on 0411 582 900 to book in your next tank clean.