Influencing factors on quoting include:

• Type of tank: Concrete, Poly, Galvanised, Liners
• Size of Tank/Number of tanks
• Depth of sediment
• Amount of water
• Tank accessibility and scrubbing

A Pristine Water Systems Tank Clean is not just a “jet wash” and hose down. We vacuum clean the sediment out of the tank, aerate and filter the water, sanitise/disinfect the water and lines, and test your water for quality before use.

The more water the better, with the exception if the water is contaminated (where we will be required to drain the tank, clean and sterilise before refilling).

We need water in the tank to be able to vacuum the sludge from the floor. It doesn’t need to be completely full, but a minimum of one third or 1 meter of water is necessary.

A Water Sanitiser is a product used to neutralise bacteria and water borne viruses. There are various products available on the market, the most common which are Chlorine based. For rainwater tanks, we do not recommend using a Chlorine based water sanitiser in your tanks.

The Pristine Water Systems water sanitiser, AqueousPro™ 50, is a professional grade Water Sanitiser used to purify drinking water from contamination that can occur in water tanks and similar applications.

It is not Chlorine based!

The active ingredients of AqueousPro™ 50 are included by the National Health & Medical Research Council for use in Drinking Water and is listed in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines as chemicals available for use in the treatment of drinking water.

Environmentally friendly and ecologically harmless, AqueousPro™ 50 (once diluted) is completely safe to drink and does not pollute wastewater systems as the chemical reaction breaks down into water (H₂O) and Oxygen (O₂).

If you would like to learn more on how AqueousPro™ 50 achieves this, Click Here

To calculate how much water your tank holds, you can use our Water Tank Volume Calculator.

All you need to do is measure the width and height of your tank, and enter the numbers into the calculator. If you have a rectangular tank, you will also need to measure the depth.

There are two types of filter ratings: nominal and absolute.

A nominal rating indicates the smallest particle size that the filter should remove or reduce, in accordance with its design criteria. It is an estimated value, not a precise one. A 1 Micron nominal filter, for example should trap 95 per cent of all particles 1 microns or larger.

An absolute filter rating refers to a certified reduction rate, usually 99.9 per cent. Therefore a 1 Micron absolute filter will remove 99.9 per cent of particles 1 microns or larger in diameter.

Sediment Filters

Sediment filters are like a fine sieve which traps dirt and other suspended particles. Using a sediment filter as a pre-filter to a purifier will provide additional protection from damage and extend the life, because it will take longer to become clogged with unwanted contaminants. Sediment filters range from coarse to fine, and are micron rated accordingly. The life of a sediment filter depends on the quality and source of the water – six to twelve months is average.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon filters are particularly effective at removing pollutants which create unpleasant taste, odour, and colour in water. These fast-acting filters can eliminate or reduce the levels of chlorine by-products, pesticides, herbicides, and other organic and industrial chemicals. Activated carbon is made from a variety of organic materials such as coal, coconut, lignite, and wood. When these are activated by exposure to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, the result is a substance with millions of microscopic pores and a vast surface area; Eg. 1 gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 500m2 to cling to or absorb smaller organic molecules. There are two forms of carbon in general use: granular and block. Carbon granules are about the size of coarse sand while carbon block is finely powdered carbon compressed into a solid mass. To get the most of a carbon filter, it should be kept free of sediment and heavy organic impurities by the incorporation of a sediment filter as an integral part of the system design. Filter cartridges should be replaced regularly, depending on the quality and source of the water.

Ceramic Filters

Ceramic water filtration relies on small pore size of ceramic material to effectively filter sediments such as dirt and debris. Some models can reduce particle matter as fine as 0.9 micron absolute which effectively removes bacteria, cysts and turbidity. The filter has a hollow core of ceramic which can be cleaned using a scouring pad (similar to 3M ‘Scotchbrite’) when the filter flow becomes noticeably less than normal. In addition some ceramic filters are also fitted with an activated carbon block core to remove chlorine and organic compounds whilst improving taste and reducing odours.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Purifiers

Osmosis is a process which occurs when two solutions of different concentrations are separated by a semi-permeable membrane. Reverse osmosis (RO) water purification works by forcing the water under pressure against an ultra-fine semi-permeable membrane designed to allow single water molecules to permeate through, while at the same time sending to waste most contaminants. The membrane acts as a mechanical filter, straining out particulate matter, micro-organisms, asbestos, even single molecules of heavier organic compounds. A typical RO purifier consists of four filters in series plus a storage tank.

• Stage 1. Sediment / pre-filter mechanical filtration. Removes suspended particles such as silt, algae, rust and dirt.
• Stage 2. Carbon pre-filter, protects the Membrane from chlorine.
• Stage 3. Ultra-fine TFC RO Membrane, high performance 140 Litre per day, pore size 0.0005 micron.
• Stage 4. Carbon polishing post-filter, provides superb tasting water.

An RO system removes a wide spectrum of impurities from water such as: fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, turbidity, sediment, colloidal matter, total dissolved solids, toxic metals, radioactive elements, pesticides, and herbicides. An RO improves taste and odour.

An RO system requires approximately 280 kpa (40 psi) inlet water pressure. A typical system produces water at a slow rate – almost drop by drop – so most under sink systems have a pressurised storage tank and a separate dedicated faucet or all in one three way mixer installed on the sink. Water drawn from the faucet or mixer comes from the storage tank. A counter top or laundry system works the same way except without a pressurised tank.

Instead these systems attach directly to an existing faucet and used to fill a bottle or glass directly from the system. These systems are suited for use when renting, unable to plumb a system in, or for travel.

The average domestic RO will use about 40 litres per day to flush contaminants – average household consumption is around 1000 litres per day. Unlike filters, RO membranes don’t accumulate pollutants but the membranes themselves gradually degrade with use. While the sediment and carbon filters will generally require replacement annually, membranes should be changed every 3 years or as specified by the manufacturers.

Choosing a filtration system is a personal choice and depends on a variety of situations and requirements.

• Water source Eg. Town (mains), Tank, Bore/Spring etc.
• Type of impurities required to be removed Eg. Sediment, Chlorine, Fluoride etc.
• Purpose of water Eg. Drinking, cleaning, gardens

Variety of Filtration

• Sediment – removes sand, dirt and rust
• Carbon – Removal of toxic chemicals, chlorine taste and odour, giardia and cryptosporidium
• Carbon / Silver Impregnated – Ideal for tank water, removes odours, improves taste, silver impregnated to inhibit bacteria growth within the filter
• Ceramic – (Ultracarb) Removal of bacteria and tannin, improves taste and removes odours
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) – Removal of all chemicals, heavy metals and minerals and fluoride.
• Alkaliser – Raises pH levels to alkaline

Variety of Filtration Media and filtration size

We strongly recommend that you change your filter/cartridges regularly. Generally the average family household filter/cartridge requires replacement annually. Should you find the water flow from the system noticeably reduces, it may be due for service (or simply requires to be cleaned/scrubbed, such as a ceramic cartridge). Used Water filter cartridge holds all the chemicals, heavy metals and bacteria etc that has been removed from your water during the past 12 months; using the cartridge past this due date may cause bacteria to re-contaminate the cartridge and possibly be reintroduced into your drinking water. Please feel free to call our friendly Customer Service team should you require assistance.

• If you have blue green discolouration in your sink, basins or toilet bowl, there may be a problem with the pH level of your tank water.
• Illness in the household is a sign that you may have some sort of bacteria present in the water tank or supply lines.
• Brown stains on driveways and fences after using Bore water, could be a sign of increased Iron levels
• Coloured water could be sediment build-up or leaching of tannins from nearby trees, in your water tank
• If lathering of soap is hard to do, then your water hardness may require correcting.

• pH levels
• TDS (sediment) count
• Iron
• Hardness

For Bore/Spear and Dam/Creek water, we can conduct a 49-point laboratory test to provide analysis of metals and other elements present in the water. Lab tests are available for a fee.

All stored water (tanks) will have some degree of bacteria present. You can organise for a complete bacteria water test through your local council. Your local Pristine Water Systems operator can advise what is required. But, if you have water storage tanks, then we recommend installing a filter/ultraviolet system which will remove cysts and 99.99% of all bacteria from your water instead of paying for a water test to show that you will have bacteria in your tank.

Just because your water is clear, does not mean it is healthy to drink!

We recommend that you test and check your water supply and supply system on a regular basis. Don’t just look for dirty or smelly water to be your reason for testing water. At that point, it is already too late.

An initial review and testing can be conducted on premises to establish if further investigation is required. From there, we can organise a complete 49-point laboratory test. Fees are involved for Laboratory tests.

Initially, we will need to establish the quality of your water source, and if any filtration/correction systems are required.

Following that, we will test the water on each visit, either when servicing filtration products, or on an annual tank clean.

Water tests/analysis will provide you with an understanding of what you are putting into your body each time you take a drink, brush your teeth or have a shower.

Knowing what is present in your water will provide answers to what you need to do to ensure Pristine clear drinking water in the future.