TIPS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY

Due to a lack of infrastructure many communities in South Africa are reliant on rainfall for domestic water supply, making rainwater harvesting essential. Installing a JoJo tank and harvesting rain, your free source of water, provides a sufficient, reliable and secure water supply.

Here are a few valuable tips to improve the quality of the collected water going into your JoJo water tank:

1.         Add a first flush diverter to your tank - a simple and effective way to improve the quality of water entering into the tank. A first flush diverter prevents the initial portion of run-off water (containing most contaminants because the rain washes debris from the roof surface) from flowing off the roof and into the tank.

2.        During dry weather, dust, leaves, animal excrement, dead insects and other particulate matter accumulate on the roof.  Rooftops used for water harvesting should therefore be cleaned regularly to avoid contamination of the runoff, even if a first-flush diverter has been installed. 

3.         It is recommended that roofs used for rainwater harvesting be constructed out of tiles, metal or plastic sheeting – the smoother the surface the better the collection. 

4.        Install a mesh screen into the tank opening to prevent leaves from going into the water. JoJo Tanks offer a selection of screens and these are available from most JoJo Tanks distributors

5.        A mesh screen can also be fitted into the gutter leading into the tank as an additional precaution to prevent debris from falling into the tank

6.        Trees and plants hanging over the roof should be pruned back.

7.         The roof surface should be kept clear of animal droppings. 

Managing the water collected into the tank by maintaining a clean roof in conjunction with a first-flush diverter and a selection of mesh screens will hugely improve the quality of the water stored. Rainwater harvesting provide water for a variety of domestic purposes including cooking, washing, cleaning, watering the garden and cleaning cars and driveways. 

Contact them on 013 262 3021 or visit www.jojotanks.co.za, you can also find them on Facebook: JoJo Tanks South Africa.