Conclusions
Homeowners living in remote areas need fresh water storage
tanks to meet their water needs. Emergency situations may
also require the short-term storage of fresh water to cover
the basic needs. Potable water tanks should be cleaned and
disinfected regularly to kill waterborne pathogens that can
cause gastrointestinal and other diseases and to prevent the
accumulation of other contaminants that can also make the
water unsafe to drink and degrade its taste.Homeowners using
chlorine chemicals such as bleach may safely disinfect storage
tanks.Tanks should be cleaned thoroughly with detergents and
any sediments or debris should be removed before chlorination
to reduce chlorine demand and the formation of toxic disinfection
byproducts.
The potability of water stored in large water tanks may be
maintained with residual chlorine and regular water testing.
Modern ozone and UV light water disinfection methods are safe
to use but are more expensive and do not provide protection (in
the form of residual disinfection) to stored water.