Cleaning your water storage tank is an important part of maintaining stored household water. Sediment, dirt and buildup can collect inside a tank over time, especially when the incoming water already contains particles or minerals.
But tank cleaning and water purification solve different problems. Cleaning removes accumulated material from inside the tank, while a purifier treats the water itself. If your water remains unpleasant, discoloured or salty after the tank is cleaned, the issue may be with the incoming water rather than the tank alone.
Overhead tanks are easy to forget because they are often installed where they are out of sight. Yet they are part of the water system your household depends on every day.
Sediment can settle at the bottom of a tank, while dirt and other material can accumulate if the tank is not properly covered and maintained. These issues can contribute to particles at taps, unpleasant smells or tastes, and visible changes in the water.
This is particularly worth checking in homes that rely on boreholes, tankers or other stored water sources.
There is no single cleaning interval that is right for every Nigerian home. The frequency depends on the condition of the tank, the water source, how much sediment enters the system and how quickly buildup occurs.
Rather than waiting until the water looks dirty, inspect the tank and the water coming from your taps regularly. If you notice sediment, an unusual smell or taste, visible buildup or discolouration, it is a good time to investigate the tank and water source.
Before cleaning your tank, check:
Start by emptying the tank and removing accumulated sediment and dirt. Clean the accessible internal surfaces and rinse the tank thoroughly so loosened debris and cleaning materials are removed.
If the tank requires disinfection, use an appropriate tank-disinfection method and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Do not simply add cleaning chemicals to stored drinking water without following the correct procedure.
If the tank is difficult to access, heavily soiled, damaged or too large to clean safely, consider using a qualified professional.
Not by itself. Cleaning the tank addresses what has accumulated inside the storage tank, but it does not change the quality of the water entering it.
If your borehole water contains dissolved salts, iron, heavy metals, bacteria or other contaminants, tank cleaning will not remove those substances. This is why a clean tank does not necessarily mean the incoming water is suitable for drinking.
iClear's water assessment service can help homeowners understand the condition of their source water. Its on-site assessment checks factors including TDS, pH, iron, hardness, colour, turbidity and odour.
Think of these as two separate parts of household water maintenance.
Tank cleaning removes accumulated dirt and sediment from the storage system. Water purification treats the water itself based on the problems identified in the source.
For example, you may clean your overhead tank and still notice a salty taste, metallic taste or other water-quality issue. In that situation, repeatedly cleaning the tank may not solve the underlying problem.
iClear provides residential purification solutions, including Reverse Osmosis systems designed for issues such as salty or hard water and excessive minerals.
If your water continues to taste unusual, smell different, look cloudy or leave visible sediment after your tank has been cleaned, consider testing the incoming water.
An assessment can help you understand whether the problem is related to the source water, the storage tank, or both. It also gives you a better basis for choosing a purification system instead of guessing which filter you need.
Regular tank inspection and cleaning are important, but they are not a replacement for water purification when the incoming water itself has quality problems.
If you have cleaned your tank and are still unhappy with the water, iClear can help you assess the source and understand what type of purification may be appropriate for your home.
Call iClear on +234-708-063-7319 to arrange a home water assessment.
Q: How often should I clean my water storage tank in Nigeria?
A: A household water storage tank should be inspected and cleaned regularly, with the interval depending on tank condition, water source, sediment and how quickly it accumulates dirt.
Q: How do I know if my overhead water tank is dirty?
A: Signs include sediment at taps, unpleasant taste or smell, visible slime, discolouration and particles appearing after water has been stored.
Q: Can cleaning a water tank make borehole water safe to drink?
A: No. Tank cleaning removes accumulated dirt and biological growth inside the tank, but it does not remove dissolved salts, heavy metals or microorganisms already present in the incoming water.
Q: Should I clean my tank before installing a water purifier?
A: Yes. Starting with a clean storage tank helps prevent accumulated sediment and contamination from immediately entering the filtration system.
Q: Can a water purifier replace water tank cleaning?
A: No. A purifier treats incoming water, while the storage tank still needs physical cleaning and inspection.
Q: Does iClear help assess water quality before purification?
A: iClear offers home water assessments that can help identify the water-quality problems a filtration system needs to address.