Dubai: How do I know if the water tank in my house is clean?
Dubai: Have you ever wondered how you can be sure that the water you use daily is clean? Is the place where the water is stored a safe place? Or have you noticed strange smells coming from the faucet but you’re not sure why? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, here are things to keep in mind about your water tank.
Water tanks can be located underground in the basement or on the roofs depending on the structure of the residence. Villas can have smaller tanks than those used in apartment buildings.
Who is responsible for cleaning the water tanks?
As per Dubai Municipality guidelines, owners are responsible for the cleanliness of water storage tanks.
According to Food Code 2020 guidelines issued by Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department, water tanks should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year. Once the water tank is clean, the water samples should also be tested for safety and quality by an approved laboratory.
Rakhi Sithara, general manager of Pluspoint Building Cleaning Services, told Gulf News about other instances where the water tank may need cleaning: “In the interest of public health, potable water tanks must also be cleaned when new tanks are used for the first time or when the tank or its source is polluted, either by the public network or by drinking water tankers or in cases where the tank does not is not covered, or that it has not been properly closed, or that there are openings around the lid which will allow the entry of insects, dirt or contaminated water into the tank.
Managing Director of Pluspoint Building Cleaning Services
How do I know if the water tank needs to be cleaned?
According to Sajeer JS, PESCO Cleaning and Pest Control Services Division Manager, if you want to know that your water tank needs to be cleaned, some of the signs to look out for in the water are:
Sajeer JS
PESCO Cleaning and Pest Control Services Division Manager
– Cloudiness
– Strange tint or rust color
– Unusual taste of water
– Smell of sulfur, rotten eggs and other strange smells.
– Solids and particles in suspension.
As a resident, if you notice any of the following changes in the water, you should contact your building management.
According to Sajeer, tenants can ask building management for water testing and tank cleaning records. They can also request photos of the water tank taken before and after cleaning.
How do I know if my water tank has been cleaned by an approved company?
Sithara said it is important that the water tank is cleaned by a company licensed by Dubai Municipality. This ensures that staff are well trained and that the cleaning and sterilization methods used are approved by the department. You can ask the service provider for proof of their approval, and you can also find a list of approved companies on the Dubai Municipality website, by following these steps:
1. Visit the Dubai Municipality website – https://www.dm.gov.ae/
2. Click on ‘Legislation and information’.
3. In the right menu, click on “Health and Safety” under the “Information” tab.
4. Then click on “Health and Safety Approved List”.
5. Then select “List of cleaning and disinfection companies”
Since 2017, the Dubai Municipality has announced that it will also carry out regular inspections of water tanks in residential buildings.
Can I drink tap water?
Tap water in the United Arab Emirates is safe to drink, according to the Compliance Affairs Department of the United Arab Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology. According to the Dubai Can initiative, launched this year to promote reusable bottles, tap water in the UAE goes through the process of desalination (removing all impurities) before reaching your taps. Installing your own additional filter at home ensures that the water is unaffected by aging pipes or tanks.