If you want to install a concrete or poly water tank to harvest rainwater on your farm, then you need to think about water quality maintenance. This is especially important if you will use the water to drink or to give to your livestock.

In some cases, it pays to install a tank with a self-cleaning system. How do these systems keep water clean? What are their benefits?

How Do Water Tank Self-Cleaning Systems Work?

Water isn't the only thing that collects in a tank. Even if you install guards, strainers and diverters to keep debris out of the tank, some materials might get in there. Some will create a layer of sediment at the bottom of the tank; others will turn into sludge.

Sludge can be a particular problem here. It can promote bacterial growth that affects the quality and health of your water. Contaminated water can make humans and animals ill.

Self-cleaning water tanks contain a system of pipes to help manage this problem. The main pipe sits at the bottom of the tank. It has a series of holes in it. It connects to another pipe that runs up the sidewall of the tank and out of the overflow.

When water enters the tank, you get a vacuum effect at the bottom. When this happens, the pipe at the base of the tank automatically sucks up debris through its holes. The system then carries the debris up and out of the tank's overflow.

Why Install a Self-Cleaning Water Tank?

If you want to use harvested rainwater for any drinking purpose, then you have to ensure that your tank is kept as free from sediment or sludge as possible. If your tank can't clean itself, then you have to do this job yourself.

If you check your tank at a scheduled interval or when your water looks a bit suspect and find a layer of sludge, then you'll probably have to empty the tank out to clean it. This wastes valuable water. You won't be able to use the tank again quickly. You'll have to wait until it is clean again and starts to refill.

Plus, this might not be a job you can do or want to do yourself. You might have to hire a water tank cleaning company. This job will cost you money.

If you buy a self-cleaning tank, then it should automatically control sediment and debris deposits. The system should expel them for you. You won't need to shut the tank down to clean it; you won't have to pay to have it cleaned. You get safer water with less effort.

To find out more about self-cleaning systems and their benefits, contact water tanks manufacturers or suppliers.