If you have taken the steps to harvest clean water, maintaining stored water at its sparkling best is relatively simple

• Mosquitoes and insects can be prevented from entering your tank by fitting an insect proof screen to the tank overflow outlet. A tank screen is also required at the water inlet.

• The growth of algae can be controlled by ensuring no light enters your tank. Steel tanks allow no transmission of light through the walls.

• Sludge that accumulates in the bottom of the tank can be removed by siphoning it out, emptying the tank or by engaging a tank cleaning contractor. This should only need to be done every three or four years.

To keep your rainwater harvesting system delivering high quality water some regular maintenance is needed.

Our recommended general guidelines for maintenance are

• Every three months

Remove tree branches that overhang your gutters to minimize leaf load

Clean leaves and other debris from your roof, gutters, rain heads, first flush devices and tank inlet filters.

Check there are no mosquitoes in your tank (at the same time see how much sludge is in your tank). If mosquitoes are in your tank, find out how they entered and block their access. If excessive sludge is present remove it.

• Every six months

Wash out or replace the filter in your filtration system.

Tanks 4 Now offer our customers a free reminder service via SMS or email when scheduled maintenance is due.