How to Clean a Potable Water Tank

Knowing how to clean a potable water tank is critical to preventing sickness and disease. Potable water is clean, free from harmful organisms and pollution and is safe for humans and animals to consume. Whether potable water is trucked in to stricken communities for emergency relief or intended as the water supply for a family's week-long camping trip, cleaning procedures are the same. Providing potable water requires knowledge of the correct procedures as well as attention to detail when implementing them. Failure to provide potable water can result in disease or the long term detrimental effects caused from ingesting chemicals and metals.

Things You'll Need

• Certified food-safe tank
• Chlorine bleach
• Measuring cup
• Scrub brush

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Instructions

Clean Water Tank

• 1

  Use a water tank that is certified and labeled as food safe to store and dispense potable water. The water tank should have an airtight lid and a locking cap.

• 2

  Confirm the water supply that you are using to clean and fill the potable water tank is safe for consumption.

• 3

  Clean the outside and the inside of the water tank, as well as the hoses, lids and removable parts of the water tank or water fill equipment. Scrub the water tank and all parts thoroughly with clean water, a household detergent and a medium-bristle brush. Finish by rinsing everything with clean water.

Sanitize

• 4

  Put on gloves and goggles to mix a solution of water containing at least 50 to 60 parts per million (ppm) of non-scented household chlorine bleach.

• 5

  Sanitize the inside of the water-tank by making certain all inside surfaces are thoroughly flushed with the bleach solution and then drained. To sanitize 10 gallons of water, use 1 1/2 oz. of chlorine bleach.

• 6

  Dispose of the chlorinated water in a safe and responsible manner. Dispose of the water by pouring it down household drains or onto barren ground. Fish in streams or grassy areas can be adversely affected by chlorinated water.

• 7

  Leave the lid off the water tank, turn it upside down and allow everything to air dry for 24 hours. Air drying is part of the sanitizing process because the chlorine needs that much time to kill harmful organisms.

• 8

  Clean and sanitize the water tank, as well as the hoses, lids and removable parts of the water tank or water fill equipment, thoroughly between each use and once per week during periods when water is stored and consumed over a long period of time.

• 9

  Keep all parts clean and sanitary by storing hoses, lids and removable parts of the water-tank or water fill equipment, when not in use, in a clean area and with all hose openings capped off from the outside air.