If you have a tank that collects rainwater it might be tempting to use that water for thing like drinking and cooking. But is it safe? Can dirty tank water make you sick? Let’s find out.
Yes, indeed, contaminated tank water possesses the potential to inflict sickness. The embodiment of contamination in tank water can emanate from diverse sources, encompassing environmental factors as well as intrinsic elements within the tank itself. A multitude of contaminants commonly pervade collected rainwater tanks, necessitating a close and analytical examination.
Utilizing the expertise of professionals who specialize in the meticulous maintenance of water hygiene and cleanliness is a strategic approach to assuaging the associated risks, thereby fortifying the safeguarding of user health and wellbeing against the detrimental effects of contaminated water storage units.
Bacteria & Viruses
One of the main concerns with using rainwater from a tank or cistern is contamination from bacteria and viruses. Rainwater can become contaminated by runoff from animals or waste products as well as airborne particles in the atmosphere.
These particles can contain any number of harmful bacteria and viruses, including E.coli, Salmonella, dysentery, cholera and even hepatitis A. The risk of these contaminants increases if your tank isn’t properly maintained or if it isn’t regularly cleaned out with chlorine or another disinfectant.
Heavy Metals & Chemicals
In addition to microbial threats, cisterns can also become a reservoir for heavy metals and chemicals such as lead, iron, aluminum, arsenic, copper, and chromium. The sources of these metals can be diverse, ranging from nearby industrial sites or landfills to agricultural runoff, especially if your residence is proximate to a farming area.
To combat this, regular maintenance and proper sanitization methods are crucial to efficiently mitigate the risks of such contaminations, ensuring a safe water supply for household use.
They can also come directly from your roof if it has been treated with anything containing lead-based paint or other hazardous materials. Even airborne particles such as dust can contain trace amounts of these metals which might end up in your water supply over time if not regularly filtered properly.
Contaminated water from tanks poses a serious health risk to both humans and animals, making it essential to enact measures that assure the water remains pure, uncontaminated, and safe for consumption or any other forms of use. Ensuring a schedule of consistent and routine cleanliness practices is pivotal to maintaining the tank’s hygiene and functionality.
The general recommendation leans towards conducting a comprehensive cleaning at least once or twice a year, subject to the tank’s exposure to potential contaminants and the environmental conditions surrounding it. Thus, regular assessment and timely cleaning are instrumental in safeguarding against health risks attributed to contaminated water.
This includes regular maintenance such as cleaning out sediment buildups along with proper filtration systems that help remove any heavy metals and chemical contaminants that may have accumulated over time in the stored rainwater supply. Taking these precautions will help ensure that your collected tank water remains safe for consumption for both humans and animals alike!