The Ultimate Guide to Water Cistern Cleaning & Maintenance
If you’re a rural homeowner, acreage owner, or farmer in Alberta or Saskatchewan, a cistern is likely the heart of your household water system. When you rely on bulk water delivery, you’re responsible for protecting that water the moment it reaches your property.
Storing water in a dirty, damaged, poorly sealed, or otherwise compromised tank can deteriorate even the cleanest and most well-treated water. Accumulated sludge and sediment, declining chlorine levels, microorganism growth, unwelcome insects and animals…all of these things can jeopardize your water supply.
Alberta Health Services recommends cleaning and disinfecting a cistern at least once per year. It’s not uncommon, though, for homeowners to go much longer without inspecting or maintaining their tanks!
Our team at Sanatec Environmental wants every delivery to go into a clean and properly maintained cistern. This article will show you the signs to look out for, and the simple maintenance tips you can implement to ensure you and your family always have safe, clean water coming into your home!
4 Signs Your Water Cistern Needs Cleaning
1. Unusual Odours
If you smell a sulfur-like, earthy or rotten egg smell, this is often an indicator of bacterial activity or organic material breaking down inside the tank.
Be careful about assuming the water delivery itself is responsible. If the smell is pervasive throughout the home, the cistern and plumbing system should be inspected.
2. Cloudy or discoloured water
If your water is yellow, brown, or cloudy it may be from a build up of sediment, rust, organic material or tannins. Sediment will settle on the floor of the cistern, and then be disrupted when the tank is refilled or water levels become low.
3. Metallic, stale or unpleasant taste
When your water starts to taste musty/stale or metallic, it may have been affected by sediment, chemical changes or biological growth during storage.
Stop drinking water with an unexplained change in taste, smell or appearance. Only resume after the system has been assessed and the water has been confirmed safe.
4. More than a year since the last cleaning
A cistern may appear more or less normal even if it contains sludge or fouling of some kind. If it’s been a year or more since you’ve had a professional cleaning, it’s time to schedule an appointment. Even if your water looks and tastes fine, this is one timeline you don’t want to ignore.
The Danger of DIY Cistern Entry
Underground cisterns meet the definition of a confined space. These spaces are not designed for human occupancy, could contain atmosphere hazards, and may have restricted/abnormal entry and exit points. There are specific requirements for confined space assessment, training, entry, atmospheric testing and worker protection.
*Homeowners should never enter an underground cistern themselves under any circumstances.
An underground tank may contain too little oxygen or dangerous gases such as hydrogen sulfide. A person can lose consciousness before recognizing that anything is wrong.
To properly work in a confined space, professionals often require atmospheric testing, mechanical ventilation, protective equipment, a harness and retrieval system, entry permits, emergency procedures, and a trained attendant to supervise them while they work.
These precautions are put in place because of the extreme dangers of confined space work. This danger extends to anyone attempting an unplanned rescue. It is not uncommon for people to be injured or killed in situations involving a confined space.
Need professionals to handle your cistern cleaning? Our team is trained and equipped to complete the work safely, contact Sanatec today.
What Professional Cistern Cleaning Looks Like
A professional cistern cleaning service will remove accumulated material, disinfect the tank and prepare it to safely receive fresh potable water.
The process looks like this:
- Removing the remaining water. A vacuum truck or pumping system empties the cistern so the tank can be properly serviced.
- Cleaning the interior. Specialized equipment removes sediment, scale, sludge and biofilm from the walls and floor.
- Disinfecting the system. An approved chlorine solution is applied at the appropriate concentration and given sufficient contact time. Alberta health guidance also emphasizes distributing disinfectant throughout the connected plumbing system.
- Rinsing the cistern. The tank is thoroughly rinsed to remove loosened material and remaining disinfectant.
- Refilling with potable water. Once the tank is ready, it can be filled through a reputable bulk water delivery provider.
The process should be performed by trained technicians using equipment and procedures appropriate for the tank. Professional cleaning methods are designed to avoid unnecessary entry whenever the work can be completed safely from outside.
Maintaining Water Quality Between Cleanings
There are preventative steps that you can take to help protect your water year-round.
Keep the lid and access tightly sealed to prevent rodents, insects, debris and surface water from getting inside. You’ll want to inspect the vent screen regularly and replace it if it becomes damaged or detached.
Change the whole-house sediment and carbon filters according to the manufacturer’s schedule. Overdue filters can reduce water pressure and may no longer effectively screen your water; unpleasant tastes and odours are commonly the result.
Only accept potable water from a licensed, reputable hauler; this is of utmost importance! Sanatec uses fully-licensed trucks and equipment to provide water delivery throughout southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan.
Quick Maintenance Checklist
- Cistern lid and hatch sealed tightly
- Vent screen intact and free of debris
- Water tested within the last 12 months
- Professional cleaning completed within the last year
- Whole-house filters changed on schedule
- Bulk water sourced from a reputable hauler
Clean Water Starts With a Clean Tank
Annual cistern maintenance helps protect your family’s water supply, household plumbing and filtration system. It also ensures that fresh bulk water is not immediately compromised by sediment, contamination or biological growth already inside the tank!
Is your cistern clean and ready for summer? Trust Sanatec Environmental for reliable, certified bulk water straight to your home. Contact us today to schedule your next delivery!
