Strange tastes, smells and colours can mean your water tank is contaminated. This article will cover how you can avoid and spot problems in your drinking water tank.
What type of water tank do you need for drinking water storage?
You’ll need a potable tank which is approved for drinking water by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme. They’re an independent UK certification body. They certify that tanks are suitable for the storage of water which is safe for people to drink. A non-potable tank isn’t suitable for the storage of drinking water.
What is a potable water supply?
Potable water tanks are used for different purposes. Some of these include:
- The food industry
- Emergency drinking supply
- Events and festivals
- Bulk water storage
- Hiking and camping
Tanks which are non-potable can contaminate the water inside. That’s why it’s important to always choose a tank which is potable if the water you’re planning to store inside is for drinking.
Should I fill my potable water tank to max capacity?
No. Make sure you leave some space as this can stop problems from occurring.
Spotting contaminated water – what to look for
Drinking water can become unsafe if bacteria and contaminants find their way into it. They can pass diseases onto you like diarrhoea, dysentery, and typhoid. So the people drinking your stored water can stay safe, here are some signs to look out for.
Strange smells
Water should be refreshing. Odd tastes or smells could mean your water is contaminated.
Your water may have a strong smell of rotten eggs for example. This might mean that your water contains a build-up of hydrogen sulphide gas and sulphur bacteria. Hydrogen sulphide gas can be found naturally in water. However, you need to be careful of the levels being too high. If there’s a buildup of sulphur bacteria, you may spot slime of a grey or brown colour.
Change of water colour
This could be light yellow or the water might have a brown tinge to it. This may be due to tannins. These aren’t necessarily a health concern, but could be bad if you consume too much. Either way, nobody wants to drink brown water. If your water has changed colour and you don’t know why, get it tested. Along with any colour changes, you may notice unusual smells too.
Green algae
Green algae can produce toxins. These are dangerous to consume and can cause illness. If there’s green algae in your drinking water, it’ll smell and taste like earth.
How to ensure that stored water stays safe to drink
Taking the right steps can stop your water from becoming contaminated.
Install a water filtration and purification system
Adding this will remove any dangerous contaminants from the water. It should also improve the quality of the water overall.
Make sure the tank is covered at all times
It’s important that any contaminates, or insects are unable to enter your water tank. It should also have good installation. This will make sure the water doesn’t become warm in the Summer or freeze in the Winter.
Annually clean the tank
If you didn’t clean your water bottle, then eventually it would become dirty and the water would taste bad. You can apply this to a water tank too. Giving it a clean is a way to keep your water safe and healthy. It’s also a part of maintenance for your tank which can help it last longer.
Add a safe disinfectant to the tank
An example of this is to add a safe amount of chlorine. Doing so can eliminate anything which shouldn’t be present in the water like bacteria.
Use the stored water within 6-12 months
After a long time, bacteria and contaminants can start to build up in your tank. Even if the water looks and smells okay, it might be wise not to drink it after a year of storage.
Explore potable water tanks with us today
At Tanks for Everything, we have a huge range of tanks to explore. Oil, sewage and waste, diesel and AdBlue are some of the tanks you’ll find across our site. We have a large number of water tanks too. Some of these are potable and others are non-potable. Whatever purpose you need a water tank for, you’ll find one with us. We provide fittings and accessories needed to complete your fuel tank installation too. We’re a family-run business who you can trust.
