How to Treat Cistern Drinking Water With Pool Chlorine
Dirty cisterns can cause drinking water to smell or taste bad and can cause sickness. It is important to keep cisterns clean and well maintained to prevent contamination. Chlorine tablets that are used to clean pool water can also be used to treat cistern drinking water.
- Lift and remove the cistern lid and check the water. If the water is dark or dirty, pull the plug to drain the cistern.
- Use a scrub brush and an all-purpose-cleaner to clean the inside of the cistern. You can also use a mixture of bleach and water to clean the cistern. Scrub the entire surface of the cistern as well as any assembly pieces. If any dirt is left behind, it will show up in the water one the cistern is filled.
- Refill the cistern. As the water is coming in, check all the seals to make sure they are tight and not allowing any water to leak out. If the seals are loose, dirt and debris can enter the cistern.
- Determine how much water is inside the cistern. The capacity should be written on the cistern or in the user manual.
- Place the calcium tablet inside a bag and slowly lower it into the cistern. Move the bag around inside the cistern to distribute the calcium. Add one tablet of calcium to every 100 gallons of water that is inside the cistern.
- Allow the cistern to run the water through the home's water system. Leave the calcium water inside the pipes for 24 hours. Flush the system to remove all the water.
- Refill the cistern with water, and place another calcium tablet in a bag inside the cistern. Leave the calcium tablet inside the cistern until it dissolves. When the cistern water begins to look dirty again, repeat the process.