How to prevent Algae in your Rainwater Tank
One of the common problems we encounter for customers who use rainwater tanks as their primary water source is Algae. While many algae forms may be harmless, some produce unpleasant toxins creating nasty taste and odour and can cause serious health effects.
Rainwater tanks collect water from surfaces such as roofs where dirt, dust, bird droppings, and organic matter such as leaves and twigs gather.
As the rain falls onto the roof surface, much of this material gets washed directly into the tank. Even with First Flush systems and strainers, water passes over these organic items and flows into your drinking water.
Algae are diverse aquatic organisms
Algae are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that can conduct photosynthesis. In fact, Seaweed is a type of algae, although it is consumable as a food product1.
However, quite often, your local pond, lake, or creek can have an “algal bloom” due to stagnant water. Even your home fish tank can get dirty with algae if it isn’t maintained properly.
Some like the ‘organic’ taste of dirty water
Algae grows through photosynthesis, the process by which green plants and
some organisms use sunlight to synthesise nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.2
Water in your rainwater tanks, laced with organic material, with sunlight streaming in, will cause algae to grow through the process of photosynthesis. Most water tank owners ignore the simple maintenance tasks that will prevent algae from growing in their water tanks.
Preventing algae bloom in your drinking water
The prevention of algae blooming in your drinking water is best managed by preventing sunlight from entering your water tanks. Ensure these areas are clean and clear of organic material, properly serviceable and have the correct fittings to ensure sunlight cannot stream into your tanks. The most common access points are:
- Manhole/Strainer covers
- Overflow drain points
- Inlet pipes
- Cracks or weathered walls/roofs of tanks
But what if I have Algae in my tanks?
If algae have already started growing in your water tanks, removal will require two key steps:
- Ensuring sunlight cannot breach into the tanks (as above).
And either:
- Scraping/brushing the algae off the inner walls/roof of the tank and completely flushing/cleaning the tank out. OR
- Using a water sanitiser to kill the algae.
How to kill off the algae in your water tank
At Pristine Water Systems, we use our professional food-grade water sanitiser, AqueousPro™, to kill bacteria and viruses once a water tank has been cleaned. This nationally approved water sanitiser also kills algae.
When a customer’s water tank has been identified as having algae, we first repair and replace any points where sunlight penetrates the tank. We then clean the tank of sludge and organic material and sanitise it. This removes two of the key ingredients for algae to grow: sunlight and organic material.
Algae in concrete water tanks is common
Concrete water tanks quite commonly have algae if sunlight can penetrate. However, poly (plastic) and metal tanks have been known to have outbreaks if unmanaged.
Algae is an easy problem to manage, requiring simple maintenance and management processes.
The consequences of an algae bloom in your drinking water can be disastrous. It can cause skin irritation, mild respiratory effects, and hay fever-like symptoms. Ingesting toxins can cause gastroenteritis symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and headaches.
If you suspect algae is growing in your rainwater tanks, contact your local Pristine Water Systems water technician for a FREE inspection (conditions apply ).
Don’t you and your loved ones deserve PRISTINE water?
1 Source: https://www.livescience.com/54979-what-are-algae.html
2 Source: Google Dictionary