water quality for storage

[BoFuller]

We just put in a 2600 gallon water tank. Eventually we will be living there but for now it is just for weekends. If a tankful ends up lasting 6 months to a year, are any steps necessary to keep the water safe? Should some bleach be added?

 

[Mousefield]

Don't know what type of tank you have but I suspect the water should be treated or it might go a bit green. I do have a filter that takes out bacteria and shale dust before it goes into my storage tank. I put a bit of bleach in my above ground 2,000 poly tank occasionally. You don't want algae or bacteria growing in your tank.

 

[dex3361]

Get a swimming pool test kit and add chlorine to keep the level at about
1 PPM free chlorine. :thumbsup:

 

[Phils]

We recently had a discussion about this at a forum for solar and off-grid:

Keeping water fresh - Solar Electric Power Discussion Forum by Northern Arizona Wind & Sun

Phil

 

[mmurphy]

There is not a one thing works for every situation.
When water has organics in it, chlorine is not always a good thing to use with out knowing what you are doing. Trihalomethanes can be produced.
Chlorine with ammonia present in water if not having known values, can also bring you to the nitrification cycles.
Is this rain water collected from roofs, surface water off of the ground, prefiltered? Is it going to be used as drinking water?

 

[BoFuller]

There is not a one thing works for every situation.
When water has organics in it, chlorine is not always a good thing to use with out knowing what you are doing. Trihalomethanes can be produced.
Chlorine with ammonia present in water if not having known values, can also bring you to the nitrification cycles.
Is this rain water collected from roofs, surface water off of the ground, prefiltered? Is it going to be used as drinking water?

It's water from a well in town, where you put a quarter in and the hose delivers 50 gallons. I assume it is tested on a regular basis since it is the main water source for a good bit of the little town.
Yes it is drinking water.

 

[mmurphy]

It's water from a well in town, where you put a quarter in and the hose delivers 50 gallons. I assume it is tested on a regular basis since it is the main water source for a good bit of the little town.
Yes it is drinking water.

The water quality should be a good source for you. Main thing is keep everything starting with tank and source of delivery clean.Keeping light away from tank will help control algae.
You may want to talk to the plant operator to see if he has any advice on the storage of this paticular water source and what your concerns are for time of sitting in the tank. The water plant will have a Consumer Confidence Report that maybe of interest to you.(they are free for the asking)
It may be a learn as you go with best way to keep it fresh in lengths of storage. You may even want to break down to the water you drink with a small seperate way of treating that portion versus cooking or washing your hands. It is very attainable to do what you are doing. Do not mean to make it sound more difficult then really is but, to inform you. I am in water treatment and know it is not a one way fits perfect for every situation.

 

[BoFuller]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[joeyd]

Bo,
Try looking at a web site, thereadystore.com they have a section on water storage that includes videos and a product that will maintain water stored for 5 years.