Tank Water Testing

And why you even need to test the water from your tank in the first place? In this article we’ll look at how tank water testing works and why it’s important, as well as how you can deal with the potential test results.

Why Does Tank Water Need Testing?

Tank water testing is an important step in helping to ensure that the rainwater you collect is safe for your family to drink. A range of contaminants can impact the safety of your tank water, and adequate filtration and sterilisation cannot be achieved without knowing what exactly you're fighting.

While tank water testing isn't as important for those who will only be using their collected rainwater in the garden, it's still important to know what's going on with your water if you want your plants to thrive. It should also be noted that those who intend on watering their vegetable gardens with water from their tank will be better off erring on the side of caution and treating the water as if it were to be used in the home.

Your local Irrigear Independent Expert can assist with every step of the process when it comes to getting your tank set up properly, testing your water, adding filtration and keeping everything running right.

What Does My Tank Water Need To Be Tested For?

Bacteria And Organic Organisms

By far the most dangerous potential contaminants that tank water testing will warn you about are biological risks. Things such as bacteria, viruses, cysts and other organic organisms can breed in your tank for a range of reasons, but regardless of how they got there, they're definitely not something you want to consume. Tank water testing lets you know when these nasties are present, so they don't find their way into your drinking glass.

Chemical Contaminants

While chemical contamination is less likely in rural areas than suburban ones, it’s still vital to keep an eye on things, as products such as pesticides, chemicals from paint and general pollution can find their way into your rainwater with surprising ease.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Metals And Minerals

Although rainwater can often have a concentration of total dissolved solids that is lower than many other water sources, it also tends to also undergo far less treatment. This means that the TDS which manage to find their way into the water pose more of a threat, and need to be tested for and treated accordingly.

Additionally, while some minerals that can make their way into your rainwater have the potential to be good for you – like magnesium, calcium, and iron for example – any metal contaminants must be tested for and removed in order for the water to be safe to consume. This is because even beneficial minerals can be harmful at certain concentrations, so it is best to strip all contaminants from the water.

Hardness, Salinity, pH, And More…

While factors such as hardness, pH and salinity don't pose as much of a threat to your health as cysts and bacteria, they can still make your tank water unpleasant to consume if their levels aren't correct. Elevated salinity also isn't great for your appliances, and a pH imbalance could impact the lifespan of clothing or even corrode your pipes, so understanding these factors is just as vital as ensuring your collected rainwater is sanitary when designing your home water system.

PFAS

Finally, PFAS, also known as forever plastics, are a rising concern within society, and your drinking water. We don’t really know what long term impacts these contaminants can have, so it is best to test for them and remove them from your drinking water supply.

How Can I Test My Tank Water?

Your local Irrigear Independent Expert can perform tank water testing for you, so you'll be armed with the necessary knowledge to be able to select a water filtration and purification system that will make your captured rainwater safe for consumption.

They'll also be able to answer any questions you have about tank maintenance and systems which distribute the water you catch and help minimise waste, so why not have a chat about your full setup while you're there?

If you have any questions at all about your tank system, water filtration, tank water testing, or anything else aquatic, get in touch with your local team to discuss your needs today.