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  • The problem with bad water in storage tanks, according to water treatment companies like Inspectapedia, is not the water, but the contaminants---organic, bacterial and mineral---that may get into the water, sometimes through badly engineered water tanks.

    Organic Contaminants

    Organic contaminants, such as algae and other phototropic organisms, can adversely affect water in storage tanks which are not properly sealed against light, according to Vela Creations, a water tank construction company.

    Bacterial Contaminants

    Bacterial contaminants, such as Legionella, can cause bad water in a storage tank if the water is not treated with chlorine and/or the water going into the tank is subject to heat, as in a nearby solar panel, according to a recent article for the Journal of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents.

    Total Dissolved Solids

    Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)---the amount of mineral salts dissolved in water---can affect taste, clarity and leave "scale" residue in cookware. According to a Raindance Water Systems, a TDS of 500 parts per million (ppm) or more makes water unacceptable for drinking.

    Preventing Water Contamination

    According to Vela Creations, a water tank construction company, water storage tanks must be clean and well engineered. The water supply should be filtered and properly maintained. Storage tanks should be sealed against light; this prevents algae and other phototropic organisms from taking hold.

    Testing

    Regularly test the water in your storage tank using a qualified water-testing company, according to the North Carolina Cooperative water quality website.

    Source:

    cababstractsplus.org: article on Legionella Bacteria

    velacreations.com: Water Storage Options

    raindancewatersystems.com: Water Treatment Solutions website

    More Information:

    ncsu.edu: North Carolina Cooperative: Water Quality website

    inspectapedia.com: Water Tank Problems

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