Clean, Protect and Maintain Your Cistern Click here for printable brochure Each MMWC customer is responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and disinfecting his
or her cistern. The animated tutorial below describes a typical cistern setup and its
critical components:
Cistern-cleaning
professionals:
Kevin Karloske
(CCME resident)
719-689-2717 (H)
707-321-5090 (C)
Disclaimer:
MMWC provides
referrals as a
convenience to its
customers. MMWC
makes no warranties
or guarantees
regarding the
workmanship of any
referral
You should have your cistern
cleaned and inspected every year.
Over time, dirt collects on the
bottom of the cistern, and microbes grow on the cistern walls.
To keep your cistern disinfected, add about 1 ounce of 5-6%
unscented liquid household bleach for every 200 gallons in
your cistern, once a week. But don’t overdo it — bleach is bad
for your septic system.
To avoid the risk of being overwhelmed by chlorine
fumes, consider hiring a professional to clean your cistern.
The following guide from the Centers for Disease Control
provides useful information on disinfecting and sanitizing your
cistern:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/safe_water/cisterns/disinfection_cisterns.html
You should have a tight-fitting inner lid to your
cistern box. If yours is broken, or if you don't have
one, get one! Your concrete riser (manhole) should be
properly sealed to the cistern box, to prevent
heavy rains from seeping through the joint into
your cistern. The top of your cistern’s concrete riser
(manhole) should have at least 6-8” of ground
clearance to keep rainwater runoff out. Your cistern’s float valve is above the water
level in your cistern, and can freeze shut during
the winter. Install a heater in the cistern ring
during the winter to prevent such an incident.
The property owner is responsible for any repairs from the connection with
the water main. This includes cisterns and service lines, which can crack; valves,
which can corrode; and your pump and pressure tank, which can fail. The float
valve is the most critical
component. If it fails or gets
stuck in an open position,
your cistern will overflow. It
should be replaced at least
every 10 years. Check your water usage
and periodically look at your
cistern and the area around
it. Make sure there is no water and that the ground
does not “look wet”. If you notice dampness or water,
call the office.
Eric W. Cernyar
Clean, Protect and Maintain Your Cistern
Click here for printable brochure
Each MMWC customer is responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and disinfecting his
or her cistern. The animated tutorial below describes a typical cistern setup and its
critical components:
Cistern-cleaning
professionals:
Kevin Karloske
(CCME resident)
719-689-2717 (H)
707-321-5090 (C)
Disclaimer:
MMWC provides
referrals as a
convenience to its
customers. MMWC
makes no warranties
or guarantees
regarding the
workmanship of any
referral
You should have your cistern
cleaned and inspected every year.
Over time, dirt collects on the
bottom of the cistern, and microbes grow on the cistern walls.
To keep your cistern disinfected, add about 1 ounce of 5-6%
unscented liquid household bleach for every 200 gallons in
your cistern, once a week. But don’t overdo it — bleach is bad
for your septic system.
To avoid the risk of being overwhelmed by chlorine
fumes, consider hiring a professional to clean your cistern.
The following guide from the Centers for Disease Control
provides useful information on disinfecting and sanitizing your
cistern:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/safe_water/cisterns/disinfection_cisterns.html
You should have a tight-fitting inner lid to your
cistern box. If yours is broken, or if you don't have
one, get one!
Your concrete riser (manhole) should be
properly sealed to the cistern box, to prevent
heavy rains from seeping through the joint into
your cistern.
The top of your cistern’s concrete riser
(manhole) should have at least 6-8” of ground
clearance to keep rainwater runoff out.
Your cistern’s float valve is above the water
level in your cistern, and can freeze shut during
the winter. Install a heater in the cistern ring
during the winter to prevent such an incident.
Copyright © 2009-2011 MMWC Director Eric W. Cernyar
