How to clean an underground tank

Oct 18, 2017

Underground tanks have gutters that are connected to the house which trap rain water from the rooftop and channel it to the tank.

Many people have embraced underground water tanks in a bid to beat the high water bills or water scarcity.

Underground tanks have gutters that are connected to the house which trap rain water from the rooftop and channel it to the tank.

But sometimes, homeowners neglect cleaning the tank and the net that covers the water path to ensure it does not harbour reptiles such as snakes, frogs and lizards, says Lawrence Kawuma, who has one.

‘‘When the dry season comes, I ensure that I draw out all the water from the tank, scrub it with soap and water and dry it. I ensure that it dries well and then I cover it tight to wait for the next rainy season,'' Kavuma explains.

He says when the rains start, the gutters, which trap the water from the roof and channel it to the underground tank must be removed and left out of the tank for at least three rain sessions in order to prevent dirty water from entering the tank.

Brian Katimbo, a plumber, says some clean water must be left inside the tank to keep it moist in order to prevent cracks that may result during the dry season.

Katimbo explains that the cracks damage the tank, which then loses water through the walls. He adds that when a tank is built, it can stand for five to eight years before it is repaired, depending on how it is maintained.

However, Osbert Luyinda, a construction engineer, says underground tanks are cheaper to install compared other water sources, due to low cost of reinforcements needed during construction

‘‘Many people buy small pieces of land these days and want to fi x everything in that small space like water tank, flower garden and also have a compound to relax in. This makes an underground tank appropriate because the space above ground is limited.

Larger volumes of water can be stored and the water is sometimes cooler,'' Luyinda says.

He cautions, however, that underground tanks have high chances of contamination from running rain water and young children and small animals can drown in the tank if it is not covered.

Luyinda says leaks in an underground tank can be difficult to detect and tree roots that are near the tank can damage it from beneath.

‘‘If the tank was constructed in the front of the house where heavy vehicles pass, they can cause damage to it,'' Luyinda adds.

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