On board water tank.

[Chris]

Depending on how big it is, you can put something abrasive in there like a handful of gravel before giving it a good shake. It gets into the places you can't reach.

Again depending on the tank Karl, I have some inspection holes that might fit. I know, holes, really? But these are plates that you let into the tank with water tight screw in plugs - like a massive petrol filler cap basically. You can get your whole arm through one. They are made for water tanks. I doubt I'll use them and they're very good quality. They make filling it easy too.

 

[Chas]

Typically if the car is driven regulalry and the water sloshes around, it's pretty hard for anything to form and stick to the sides. Worse if the tank is emptied and just left wet inside.

Chris, would you recommend leaving tank full when not being used then empty and refill for trips, would using sterilising stuff like Milton be advisable (can that be left in the water when used?)

 

[Chris]

Excellent question Chas. I can only say what I do. I do tend to leave the tank 3/4 full or so, with water usually left over form a trip. But when I come to go again, I drain it and refill. It's a shocking waste of water really but I guess it gets recycled. I don't drink the tank water normally becaue I'm a raving alcoholic but I do boil it for hot drinks. The trailer has huge tanks and the water does take on a metallic taste even though I have cleaned them out. I fitted a charcoal filter recently and the water coming out now is excellent.

So, you could consider fitting a small in line filter to clean up any water coming from the tank. I'm tempted to try one on the plastic tank in the truck too.

 

[BobMurphy]

Please forget Legionella. Don't start reading HSE guidance on this in relation to a water tank in a truck. Remember that this stuff is what I actually do for a living. Legionella develops in 'systems' not in a plastic tank full of water in a car.

We have two flats that we rent out, They have to have "Legionella Risk Assessments' carried out periodically. There is a 28 page document containing Government Guidelines .

One flat is currently unoccupied, I have replaced the old, rusty, static water tank with copper boiler below with a sealed mains-pressure system and the cold water is now totally from the rising main. I have also replaced the Electric Shower with a new unit.

Regardless of how many new parts I fit, or how many Experts assess the risk the liability is all mine .

Just another stick to beat Landlords with !

Bob.

 

[Chris]

For simple systems like a domestic set up Bob, you can have a lite version of this. Trust me. You can do an assessment of risk and determine the significance and after that you may well be in a position to say insignificant level of risk, no significant findings.

You see the wrong place to start is 'You have to do a risk assessment'. That's where it all comes adrift. What you have to do is a risk assessment to see if a risk assessment is necessary. It doesn't mean that doing a full legionella survey, chlorination and so on is necessary. How many households are there in the UK?

Google says - around 27 million. How many of those private households have a water quality survey? None. How many rented homes are there that are EXACTLY the same as the 27 million? All of them.

The problem more often is a misapplication of the rule than a flawed rule in the first place. Yes as a landlord you must comply with certain guidelines becaue you are not living there and taking the 'risk' yourself. So I am afraid for a let property things are a little more onerous than living there yourself, but not a lot more. There's very often good guidance from the HSE on how to interpret legislation for borderline applications like this.

We have 4000 shops in the UK and someone was trying to push us down the whole 'end of the world' thing. We have a cold tap and a Redring water boiler. I had a two word answer and the second word was indeed ... off!

 

[karl webster]

We have two flats that we rent out, They have to have "Legionella Risk Assessments' carried out periodically. There is a 28 page document containing Government Guidelines .

One flat is currently unoccupied, I have replaced the old, rusty, static water tank with copper boiler below with a sealed mains-pressure system and the cold water is now totally from the rising main. I have also replaced the Electric Shower with a new unit.

Regardless of how many new parts I fit, or how many Experts assess the risk the liability is all mine .

Just another stick to beat Landlords with !

Bob.

These are optional Bob or at least they are at the minuet around us.

You want to see the state of the internal metal water pipes that still feed most older houseS. No mater what you do internal of the property. Having metal mains water feeds personally I think isn't good.

 

[StarCruiser]

Most pipes get an internal covering of lime scale, so older pipes that are undisturbed are often quite safe, lead ones being the main concerns usually but considered perfectly safe if undisturbed. Copper is anti microbial so is a pretty good choice for pipework.

On the tank, it probably boils down to how happy you are with it Karl. If giving it a flush out with dilute chlorus and an inspection through a hatch puts your mind at rest then happy days.

 

[BobMurphy]

These are optional Bob or at least they are at the minute around us.

I'm in Scotland, where restrictions on Letting is a growth industry. We seem to have Conferences every month where 'experts' explain to Landlords and Agents what this month's new legislation means for them.

I have to have a formal "Legionella Risk Assessment" carried out along with the EICR and PAT tests on the electrical systems every five years or at the start of a Tenancy. Fortunately I don't have gas in either property or that would have to be certified every six months or when a new Tenancy starts.

Tenants' deposit money now has to be held by one of three Government Approved companies.

We are only allowed to charge the basic rent, all other costs associated with Credit Reference searches, Drawing up Lease Agreements, Periodic Site Inspections and so on are paid by the Landlord.

Soon, rents will be 'controlled' and rent rises 'capped'.

We cannot issue a 'Notice to Quit' for non-payment of rent until at least three full months arrears have been accumulated.

The Scottish (Socialist) Government are effectively forcing Landlords to provide low-cost social housing as their house-building programme isn't up to the mark.

I wouldn't recommend being a Landlord, its a lot of work for a diminishing return and increasing liability risk.

End of rant - now back to the main topic . . .

Bob.

 

[karl webster]

Thanks for the help in this.

I have taken the tank out of the truck and it's currently full of a bleech and water mix. Leaving this for 24hours then going to rinse it out.
I've bought the Milton fluid and I'm going to give it a flush through with that whilst out of the truck.

I'll refit it then do another weaker bleech refill and flush all the pipe work and filters.
Then do a Milton refill and we should be good to go.

It may have been ok with just a Milton wash but I thought with the 'possible' chance of any nasties, I'll go a bit further than I may have had to.

I spoke with a water treatment guy and he suggested the above.

 

[SimonD]

Sorry, late to this but I used Aqua Dosa successfully. One litre size is ok. Made for this.

 

[karl webster]

Sorry, late to this but I used Aqua Dosa successfully. One litre size is ok. Made for this.

Thanks Simon.
I haven't used the tank as drinking water yet but have used it for washing my hands etc.
I'll give it another dose before I start drinking it.