Tank washing and disinfection: water care also includes storage

Ing. Marcela Castro

2 hours ago

2 min read

In businesses, industries, and institutions, water management also involves paying attention to where it is stored. Washing, disinfecting, and checking the tank's condition are all part of that care.

A worker wearing a helmet and gloves uses a hose to clean the inside of a concrete tank.

A water tank is usually out of sight. As long as the supply is working, it's easy to focus on the water reaching the points of use and overlook the storage conditions.

However, the tank is part of the system. Its condition, access, and maintenance deserve attention within the water management of any organization.

Looking beyond supply

Having a water source is one part of management. It's also necessary to review how the water is stored before using it.

The World Health Organization's sanitary inspection guidelines include reviewing tank conditions , the potential entry of contaminants, and cleaning and disinfection activities . This approach allows for considering storage as part of the overall care of the water supply system.

For a company, this means incorporating the tank into the maintenance plan, assigning responsibilities, and keeping records of the work performed.

Washing and disinfection: two complementary activities

Although they are often mentioned together, they serve different functions.

Washing removes sediment, dirt, and deposits from internal surfaces. Disinfection aims to reduce microbiological contamination through a proper procedure. The WHO guidelines recommend cleaning before disinfection: one does not replace the other.

Therefore, contracting the service requires defining its scope and the terms of execution. A clean appearance, in and of itself, should not be presented as a guarantee of potability.

An intervention that requires planning

Before scheduling the service, it is advisable to gather information that allows the technical team to understand the installation:

Location, capacity and number of tanks.
Material and general characteristics.
Access conditions.
Use of stored water.
Date and records of the last maintenance, if available.
Operational restrictions and availability to perform the work.

This information helps prepare for the visit and coordinate the intervention with the organization's activities. The procedure and security measures must be defined according to the conditions of each facility.

The support of Renova Ingeniería

Renova Ingeniería offers washing, disinfection and inspection of the general condition of tanks .

This service is integrated into their approach to water management: understanding the system's conditions, defining the intervention, and supporting the technical needs of each organization.

When requesting a proposal, it is important to agree on the activities included, the records to be delivered, and any additional evaluation that may be required.

Giving storage a place in water management

Tank maintenance shouldn't depend solely on when a visible problem arises. Integrating it into the planning process allows for organized maintenance and ensures traceability of all actions taken.

For companies and institutions, the first step is to understand their facility and obtain technical guidance to determine how to manage it.

Do you need to schedule the cleaning and disinfection of your drinking water tanks?

Tell the Renova Ingeniería team about the characteristics of your installation and request a proposal tailored to your needs.