How Do I Maintain My Commercial Cold Water Storage Tank?

Commercial and industrial cold water storage tanks support businesses where mains water pressure is insufficient to keep up with demand. The collection and storage of water in storage tanks means businesses have an ever-ready feed of water for processes, including drinking, showering, heating and more.

Here, we explain why cold water storage tanks are beneficial on commercial sites, why it’s important to maintain them, the health risks associated with poor maintenance, and the services we at Willow Pumps can deliver when it comes to water storage tanks.

 

Why Should I Use a Water Storage Tank for My Business?

Water storage tanks (often called break tanks) are commonly used in conjunction with cold water booster pumps. This means a constant water pressure can be delivered from the break tank to the point of use i.e. showers, taps etc.

Cold water storage tanks are most often installed on commercial and industrial premises to guarantee a constant water supply for a building’s occupants or operations. The capacity of the tank in place will depend on the water usage on site, and the mains water flow rate (pressure).  Tanks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and specifications to meet varying needs.

 

What are the Benefits of Using a Water Storage Tank?

There are several reasons why having a cold water storage tank installed can benefit your business. They include:

-  Access to an uninterrupted water supply for your customers, employees and contractors

-  In specialist applications, support for emergency situations. Should a fire occur, having immediate access to a water supply can be crucial in protecting the people using the building, and the building itself. The water stored in the tank can be used for firefighting including in sprinklers, cooling, or other emergency procedures.

 

What is Legionella?

Legionella is a bacterium that can develop into Legionnaires’ disease, a serious type of pneumonia. People can get Legionnaires' disease by breathing in mist containing legionella bacteria, which can grow in water tanks that are neglected or have stagnant water. So if your business premises uses a cold water storage tank for cooling, showers, irrigation systems, and wash-down purposes, it’s essential you have it regularly maintained to protect staff, contractors and visitors.

 

How Do I Prevent Legionella Developing in My Cold Water Storage Tank?

Legionella thrives in stagnant water, and water which is stored between 20-45°, this is why legionella is particularly dangerous to humans due to our ambient body temperature (usually around 37°).

Temperature control of stored water is normally impractical due to the volumes involved, therefore we look to ensure water does not stagnate and that storage systems and pipework are regularly disinfected. The disinfection process includes a deep clean of the water storage tanks as corrosion, sludge and scale is an additional risk.

 

How Can I Maintain My Cold Water Storage Tank?

Once you have a water storage tank installed, it must be maintained regularly to ensure it poses no risk to your business from both an operational and safety perspective.

At Willow Pumps, we can provide complete water hygiene management and legionella control services, providing a programme of maintenance that is fit for purpose and tailored to your premises’ needs. We can also check the quality of your water and provide you with a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) approved certification.

We can:

• Carry out a visual check on the condition of your cold water storage tank
• If required, clean and chlorinate your water storage tank
• Take water samples to check the cold water storage tank is clear of deadly bacteria
• Check that the temperature of the water at its outlets meets the required standards
• Check your system for dead legs, which can harbour harmful bacteria

 

How Can I Get a Water Storage Tank Installed or Replaced?

As well as providing ongoing maintenance services, Willow Pumps can also install water storage tanks in commercial and industrial buildings. Our water storage tanks are available in various sizes, shapes, and specifications, offering businesses the flexibility to choose a solution that best suits their needs. Whether you need a bespoke design or a mass-produced tank, we can design and install a solution to meet your requirements and budget.

We can also replace old and corroded tanks for newer models. All our water tanks are WRAS-approved, and we can supply and fit sectional, one-piece, externally flanged, and internally-flanged tanks.

 

Speak to Willow Pumps

At Willow Pumps we have a team of experts available to discuss water storage tanks, how they might support your business, and how to maintain them long term to ensure your business remains compliant with health and safety standards.

Speak to us today to discuss your planned maintenance requirements to offer a long-term solution to the prevention of legionella developing and growing within your cold and hot water systems.