Common Water Storage Mistakes That Lead to Leakage & Loss
Water storage seems so simple – you simply fill a tank and then use it up. However, many people discover later how wrong storage methods cause pollution and water wastage. Whether you store water in your home, for agricultural purposes, or in a business operation, if you are doing it without having any common storage problems then you will definitely have clean water but also a reliable storage solution.
Let’s list down the common mistakes that people do and how they can be avoided –
Skipping Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
When you don’t clean and maintain your tank properly, you’ve made the biggest mistake. Once their cistern is filled up with water, some people just ignore it until something goes wrong. This neglect will soon cause serious problems.
Poor tank maintenance allows sediments to settle inside. Dust, leaves and other litter enters through vents and openings in the side of tanks. With time and moisture, bacteria and algae start to bloom in the water making it unsafe and opaque.
Not only does it affect water quality, it also shortens the life of the tank. Sediment deposition creates corrosion in metal tanks and also causes weak spots in plastic ones.
Clean the inside of the tank before using it for the first time. Rinse thoroughly in warm, soapy water and then with clear running water. Even with new tanks or cylinders, don’t skip this step because there’s residue left over from manufacturing you should remove. And establish a regular maintenance schedule at least once or twice a year depending upon usage and water quality. During washing, drain the tank completely and scrub where sediment and slime have accumulated on the inside walls or bottom. Attach a filter to the inlet pipe of your tank in order to trap debris before it enters your tank, and remember to clean these filters monthly.
Poor Sealing and Connections
Leaky connections waste enormous amounts of clean water. Every small drop is a little waste. Ten drops per minute equals 350 gallons loss of water.
Improper tank installation of seals and fittings creates these problems. People often do this kind of work in a hurry, using the wrong materials or missing an important step here and there. The result? Constant dripping and water 1oss.
Loose lids admit rainwater and pollutants to stored water. They also let insects enter the tank like mosquitoes that thrive on stagnant water. Besides the dangers of contamination, bad seals will let good water evaporate. This is especially true where there is high temperature. This increases the need for all weather water tanks.
Choose tanks with a proper sealing system designed specifically for water storage and put that into operation. Check that lids and caps have good rubber washers, and replace worn or cracked ones immediately. When installing pipes and fittings, use the right sealants, teflon tape for threaded connections or rubber washers on compression joints and tighten the joints or connections well enough but not too much tight. A quarter turn from hand usually works. After you get things in place, fill the tank partially and check every connection very carefully for leaks.
Wrong Location and Inadequate Protection
Where you position your tank is much more important than any other thing. A poorly placed tank could be hurt by weathering, subsidence or physical blows.
Direct sunlight degrades plastic tanks over time. UV rays break down the material, making it brittle and prone to cracking. Unstable ground causes settling and shifting; as one side sinks lower than the other, the tank becomes more and more cracked. Eventually overflow pipe leakage also occurs.
Extreme climates present their own problems. Water, which turns to ice at low temperatures, will expand and can easily break tanks. Excessive heat warps plastics and increases bacterial growth in water tanks.
Choose a stable, levelled location that can also handle the full weight of your filled tank – remember that a 1,000-gallon water harvesting tank weighs over 4 tons when full. Then clear the area, level it, and compact soil for a foundation. Add a layer of sand or gravel for drainage and stability. Insulate plastic tanks from the sun with simple roof structures or a UV-resistant coating. In cold climates, thermal insulation works best. Protect the tank from physical damage using fencing, and keeping it away from large trees and falling branches. Ensure proper drainage around the tank to avoid standing water.
Errors in Tank Size Selection
Many people underestimate their water needs and install tanks that are too small. Others oversize dramatically, wasting money and space while creating water quality issues.
With small tanks, besides the trouble of continuous refilling, there may be situations in which you are left high and dry. That’s something which is just not expected from a proper water storage solution. But large tanks also create specific air problems. Water when stored in the tank for too long becomes stagnant and putrid; becoming a spot for breeding bacteria.
Calculate your actual water storage needs by tracking daily usage over several weeks. If you’re collecting rainwater or storing for irrigation, consider usage patterns and seasonal variations. Water Tank Selection should include buffer capacity for unexpected situations. Most experts recommend storing at least a three-day supply beyond normal usage. Think about your water source reliability. If municipal water is consistent, you need less storage space. The balance between size and turnover rate should be carefully maintained so that water does not sit unused for months at a time. Consult with a Geo Tank Manufacturer if you are not sure about the appropriate capacity for your situation.
Ignoring Water Quality Testing
Most people think that as long as the water looks clean, it is safe to use. It is a dangerous assumption which leads to health problems and operational difficulties.
The bacteria, pH and contaminants in water also change when it is stored over time. If you don’t carry out regular tests, you will not know when it might become unsafe to drink or no longer fit for its intended purpose. Different production processes will have different water quality standards. For example, human drinking water must meet certain strict safety requirements; irrigation water quality is directly related to the health and prosperity of crops; and manufacturing processes often need water which meets specific standards.
Set up a testing schedule based on your water usage. At the very least, drinking water must be tested once a month and for different parameters including pH, bacterial contamination and turbidity.
Samples should be taken from different points in your system, using clean containers. Keep a record of the results of all tests you do so as to compare them. Install inexpensive tools for everyday checks such as thermometers and visual inspections that tell you straight away when things aren’t right. If tests show that there is a problem, act immediately and don’t use the water until you have identified its source and corrected it. You might want to consider automatic monitoring systems for important applications, so that the quality of water can be continuously sensed.
Take Prevention Measures
Good water storage is simple. Keep your tanks clean, see that everything is sealed and don’t forget the right location, proper size and periodic water quality monitoring. Follow these basic rules for reliable and best water storage tanks giving no trouble for years. Most people don’t want to put their time and money into storage solutions as they consider this as an unnecessary cost. But another important factor is that prevention is always cheaper than cure.
Wetcomb has seen every water storage mistake in the book, and helped customers overcome them all. Our experience allows us to catch a potential problem before it turns into disaster and recommend practical, cost-effective methods for fixing it. There can be no one-size-fits-all approach. Every case is unique and so must the customer’s water storage system to fit his particular needs, location and mode of usage. Whether you are setting up a new system or trying to troubleshoot one that is currently installed, our honest advice and high-quality solutions really do work. Let bad storage be a thing of the past. Talk to us at Wetcomb and let’s build a reliable storage system that will see you through.
