In all our years of working on cisterns, we’ve seen, tried, and heard about many different ways of cleaning out a rainwater cistern or spring tank. Some approaches are more “creative” than others — but only a handful have proven to be both effective and safe, which is exactly the standard we hold ourselves to.
Below is a video tutorial covering our time-tested cleaning technique. Before you get started, make sure you have the following tools on hand:
- Sterilized ladder (wash down with a chlorine solution)
- Sterilized boots or hip waders
- Sterilized pump (we prefer a 2" submersible trash pump, such as those made by Gorman Rupp)
- Discharge hose for the pump
- Food-safe, sterile drum or barrel
- Pressure washer
- Wet/dry shop vac
- Sterile flat shovel
- 5-gallon buckets
If you have a concrete cistern — especially a concrete block cistern — have concrete patch, Thoroseal, or hydraulic cement on hand to make any necessary wall repairs while you’re in there.
Cistern tank cleaning — step-by-step tutorial
