Cistern tanks hold either fresh water for drinking and in-home use, or wastewater. In many parts of Alberta outside Edmonton, the water supply comes not from a municipal connection, but a cistern installation, which makes it one of the most important parts of the property.
For rural Albertans, managing and maintaining your cistern is a key part of ensuring your water supply remains clean, potable, and ready to use. How does one keep a cistern tank in good condition? Let’s talk about some best practices:
How to Manage a Cistern
To ensure the water in your cistern is safe to drink, you should check it often. You should be testing it twice a week using test strips or a chlorine test kit that you can purchase from a chemical supply company. Additionally, you should test the water in your cistern 1-2 times per year for harmful bacterial growth.
You should also be visibly inspecting your cistern:
· Start by inspecting the ground around where it is buried. The ground should be sloped to direct rainwater and snowmelt away.
· Check inside the cistern for evidence of dirt, insects, or rodents. You should also look for light coming in from cracks or faulty connections.
· Inspect the vented outflow pipe and make sure it’s located properly to draw continuous air. It should be turned downwards and covered in a fine mesh while still being high enough to not be submerged under rainwater or snow.
· Check for large roots if you have trees near your cistern.
· If you see any damage, call a qualified cistern installation expert from Edmonton for repairs.
Common Cistern Problems
· Accumulation of Sediments – accumulation of sand or sediment is one of the most common issues associated with cistern water tanks. It can be mitigated by installing a filter on the intake, or you can drain and rinse the tank every few years.
· Bent/Broken Pipes – broken pipes that connect to the fill or discharge ports are quite common, as are leaks around the fittings. The best fix is to not cut corners during installation.
· Algae Growth – This will happen to tanks where the material does not block out sunlight. Algae formation can be prevented by limiting sunlight exposure. For most cisterns, which are underground, this is rarely a problem.
· Tank Tipping – erosion can undermine the base of your unit if you’re not careful. Taking care during installation to ensure runoff and overflow are properly directed away from the tank can save you a lot of money and time later.
How Often Should a Cistern Be Cleaned?
Routine maintenance of your cistern, including regular cleaning will help improve its lifespan and ensure you get the best quality water out of it. You should clean your cistern every 3-4 years to remove any built-up sediment and sludge.
You should also clean it if the water starts to look, smell, or taste different and if a test shows that it has been contaminated in some way. Contamination can come in many forms, such as rodent intrusion or water from overland flooding.
Finally, you should make sure you clean your tank when the cistern installation is first completed to clear out any sediment from the bottom.
Cistern Installation Edmonton Experts
Ardalta Vacuum Truck Service is the cistern installation and maintenance expert for properties in and around Edmonton. We offer cistern tank cleaning and installation services so you can be sure your water supply stays clean and drinkable no matter what. Contact us today for a quote.