Local businesses, especially those offering personal care and hospitality services, such as salons, restaurants, hotels, and hairdressers, are advised to please disinfect their water storage tanks and pipework before re-opening.

According to the Water By-law, any person who has a storage tank on the property is required to clean and maintain this tank and associated pipework as further outlined in terms of SANS 10252-1. Municipal water stored for prolonged periods can become unsafe for domestic use (drinking, ablution and culinary purposes).

Businesses and residents need to please follow these guidelines to disinfect unpressurised water storage tanks and pipework:

• Remove all visible dirt and debris from the inside of a drained, empty storage tank;
• Refill the storage tank with clean water and then add undiluted bleach (30ml of bleach for every litre of water);
• Allow the bleach mixture to remain in the tank for at least an hour before draining;
• Refill the storage tank with clean water to rinse and then drain it again;
• Repeat this process until the smell of bleach is no longer apparent;
• Flush all the pipes and taps which are fed from the storage tank.

Waste water should not be discarded through the stormwater system (outside drains), but rather stored and used for non-potable purposes as far as possible, such as cleaning of hard surfaces with the bleach solution and using the rinse water for irrigation, gardening, etc.  If storage of the drained water is not an option, residents may safely dispose of the water through the sewer system (baths, sinks and toilets).

Businesses making use of pressurised water storage systems require specialised care and would need to consult a professional to perform disinfection.

‘As a city, we welcome the decision by the national government to allow more businesses to resume their services so that more families can earn a living during this trying time.

‘We want to encourage businesses who are resuming operations to undertake general maintenance of their water tanks, including draining and disinfecting these, as they would not have been in use since lockdown commenced. This also applies to residents who may have water tanks that have not been used during the lockdown, which may experience biological build up if the water in the tank has been stagnant. Please follow the guidelines that have been provided and contact a specialist, should you need additional advice.

‘Furthermore, during the lockdown, the City encourages businesses to observe hygiene measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through regular handwashing and sanitising, while remaining mindful of water saving measures,’ said Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste.

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