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Tank cleaning and disinfection

When do potable water tanks need to be cleaned?

Potable water tank
When do you need to clean a drinking water tank?

Drinking water or potable water tanks must be kept in good condition, be correctly installed and designed to ensure the water quality is maintained, and is fit for human consumption.

If you rely on tank fed water for your drinking water, then it should meet the following requirements:

  • Correctly sized so stagnation does not occur, and fresh water is replenished frequently.
  • Constructed of a WRAS approved material e.g. plastic (polyethylene) and have a close-fitting lid.
  • Has a lid which excludes light and is tightly fitted and securely fastened to prevent birds, rodents and dust from getting into the tank.
  • Has a lid vent and overflow with a screen to prevent dust, insects, birds and vermin getting into the tank.
  • The tank must be insulated to keep temperature below 20 degrees.
  • Inspected visually at least annually to make sure there has not been a build up of scale or sludge and the lid and screens are all securely in place.
  • Cleaned and disinfected annually or sooner if microbiological monitoring indicates deterioration or if visual inspection shows sludge, scale or corrosion.
  • Microbiological samples should be taken at intervals of not more than 6 months if there is a change in water quality, the tank is not adequately protected, it leaks or is corroding.

 

Dantek can offer advice to correctly identify potable water tanks and then monitor those tanks to ensure the water quality remains fit for human consumption. For a free consultation about your cold-water storage tanks please call 01454 417920 today.

How often do cold water storage tanks need to be cleaned and disinfected?

Tank Cleaning & Disinfection

Cold water storage tanks should be kept clean and free from nutrients, including corrosion, scale and biofilm (HSG274 part 2).  However there is in fact no definitive recommended timeframe for cleaning tanks, so they must be cleaned as necessary or if any of the following occur: 

 

  •  Installation of new water system or refurbishment of hot and cold-water system
  • Installation of new components to the water system 
  • When the hot and cold-water system has not been used for long periods and has not been flushed 
  • When routine inspection of the tanks deems it necessary because there is visible evidence of contamination or stagnation 
  • If the system has been significantly altered or entered for maintenance purposes 
  • If water samples taken from the system show there is evidence of microbial contamination 
  • During or following an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease associated with the system 
  • When a risk assessment has indicated a tank clean is necessary 

 Clean cold water storage tank

A chemical disinfection will typically be chlorine or hydrogen peroxide dosed to achieve the required ppm and maintained for at least an hour throughout the water system. The chemical is pulled through to all outlets and tested to ensure the entire system is treated effectively. 

After the and before the system is put back in use the disinfectant must be flushed from the system if using chlorine, or if using hydrogen peroxide be below the maximum level for potable water. 

Dantek have a team of highly trained technicians who carryout this type of work regularly. We are experienced in cleaning all sizes of tanks from small 50-gallon tanks in nursing homes to very large industrial size and everything in between. 

To get a quote for tank cleaning and disinfection please contact our sales team who will be able to advise what to do at your site. 01454 417920  sales@dantek.co.uk 

 

Legionella electronic log book in action

Tank cleaning
Cold water storage tank requires cleaning and disinfection

 

During routine monitoring of cold water storage tanks at a school a large amount of debris was recorded and photographed with the Dantek electronic monitoring log book.  The tank was cleaned and disinfected and then remarkably on the next tank inspection 6 months later the tank was dirty again.  The photos of the tank demonstrated there was clearly something unusual about the amount of debris, after further investigation the problem was found, and the solution was to add a filtration system to prevent debris and sludge entering the tank.

Being able to monitor and act on evidence has ensured the cold-water storage tanks remain clean and compliant with the ACoPL8 and the pupils and staff using the water at the school remain safe.

If you would to see the electronic log book please contact us as we are happy to come to your site and show you how it works.

What are Dantek looking forward to in 2018

 

With the New Year underway we are excited about the prospect of some changes at Dantek, focusing on 2 key areas; skills and productivity.

As with many service based companies our people are our business and we know that to achieve our high growth target we must invest in developing high level technical skills, engagement in work, retention and the recruitment of suitably skilled new starters.

Our top priority is focusing on ensuring our workforce have the skills, confidence and knowledge to perform to the best of their ability.  To improve on our already robust mentor training programme we intend to build a practical training hub at our HQ in Thornbury.  The hub will have live water systems set up to allow engineers to be trained practically in a realistic environment, this will include higher level training in chlorine dioxide units, chemical cleaning and water softener service to name a few.

Martin Kingdon Technical Director at Dantek commented “it will be great to have a bespoke training centre (which may be the first of its kind) especially for new starters to practice in a live setting without the worry and pressure of being on a customer site.”

By investing in training and improving skills throughout the company we are confident engagement will improve and as a result productivity.  We also know the importance of recognising and rewarding our employees who all play a vital role in ensuring customers receive the best possible service. As such this year will also see the introduction of a company wide incentive scheme to allow employees to benefit from the overall success of the company.

As with many SME’s we see the greatest challenge being the ability to continually future proof the company. As such, we will continue to invest heavily in technology for example; our cloud based temperature monitoring log book system which we include for free as part of our water hygiene contracts.

Dantek Environmental Services are a Water Treatment Company, who specialise in the prevention and control of Legionnaires disease.  Founded in 2003, now based in Thornbury and employ 30 people.  Targeted to achieve £3 million turnover. www.dantek.co.uk

Water Hygiene Engineer vacancy

Career opportunities at Dantek
Career opportunities at Dantek
Are you an experienced Water Hygiene Engineer or legionella control professional looking to take your next step? If so, this is a fantastic opportunity to take on an interesting and challenging role with a forward-thinking business focused on training and development to enable you to fulfil your potential.

The ideal candidate will have experience of water system cleaning and disinfection, temperature monitoring, showerhead cleaning, sampling, BS8558 flushing and minor plumbing alterations.
In return you will receive excellent training and the opportunity to develop your career with a market-leading business.

Water Tank Cleaning and disinfection

Legionella control for social housing

 

MCCH support around 2000 people across London and the South East who have learning disabilities, autism or mental health issues.

Dantek have worked for MCCH since 2006 providing legionella prevention and control solutions.

Recently we carried out a tank cleaning contract at 17 sites across their portfolio.

The tanks were identified in the legionella risk assessments as requiring cleaning.

Our experienced Engineers and Operations staff worked with MCCH to organise access and liaise with service users to schedule appropriate times for the work to take place.

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