In light of ever-increasing water scarcity and deteriorating water quality nationally, many people are turning to JoJo tanks and their counterparts to harvest rainwater and avoid the next water outage. While these water storage tanks are helpful, and also often a lifeline in the face of water scarcity, they are ineffective when not properly maintained. Therefore, keeping your JoJo tank clean is crucial. This article will cover the basics of JoJo water tanks: what they are, why they’re important additions to your home, and how to keep them clean. 

What Is a JoJo Tank and How Does It Work?

First, it may be helpful to understand what a JoJo tank is and what it does to fully comprehend the importance of keeping your JoJo tank clean. While many people refer to all water storage tanks as JoJo tanks, JoJo tanks are actually a specific brand of water storage tanks that have gained popularity in South Africa. It’s useful to note that all information provided in this article, including usefulness and cleaning tips, applies not only to JoJo tanks but to all other water storage tanks.

So, you may be wondering, “How does a JoJo tank work?” JoJo water tanks can be installed and used in many different ways. Three of the most common ways are: 

• Rainwater harvesting: collecting rain through gutters or pipes.
• Municipal backup: filled by the mains supply to utilize in the case of a cutoff from the main water supply.
• Fully integrated setup: offers a backup supply of water from both rainwater harvesting and the municipal water supply. 

It’s important to note that no matter what type of tank fits your needs, keeping your JoJo tank clean is crucial, even if it is only connected to the municipal water supply. 

One reason tank and water maintenance remains crucial, no matter the type, is due to the deteriorating quality of water in South Africa. According to the 2023 Blue Drop report, which is an assessment of the state of all 958 water supply systems in the country, only 26 out of the 958 water supply systems met the requirements, a decrease from the previous number of 44 in 2014. The Blue Drop report evaluates the following criteria:

1. The condition of the infrastructure.
2. Whether the required maintenance is being done on the infrastructure.
3. Whether the infrastructure is operated correctly.
4. Whether the proper treatment processes are followed.
5. Whether proper monitoring and controls are in place.
6. Whether the staff have the necessary skills and qualifications.

Considering these results, without proper maintenance, stored water can be useless if the water is not treated. Additionally, JoJo water tanks can harbor sediment buildup, algae growth, external debris, and bacteria. But don’t worry, with simple practices, you can make sure your tank and its water are safe and clean.

How to Clean a JoJo Water Tank

Now that we’ve established what a JoJo tank is, how it works, and why keeping your JoJo tank clean is important, we can discuss the different ways to clean out your tank. One of the most common contaminants of JoJo tanks is sediment buildup, often called sludge. Sludge is a natural buildup of sediment and other organic material that accumulates over time. You can test for the amount of sludge in your tank by taking a water sample from the bottom of your JoJo tank, letting the water settle, and observing the amount of sediment in the cup. Another common contaminant is algae. If you notice algae growth in your tank, make sure to check for any holes or cracks that could be allowing light exposure.

While keeping your JoJo tank clean, it is recommended that you perform regular maintenance every 6-12 months. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect all pipes and pumps from your tank.
2. Gently turn it on its side and use a soft-bristled brush to scrub away any algae and sediment that may have collected.
3. Rinse the tank with clean water to remove any excess sludge or algae.
4. To prevent further contamination, check and replace the tank’s inlet and outlet valves.
5. Ensure there are no cracks on the walls or where the lid meets the tank to ensure no sunlight exposure or external contaminants. 
6. Use Aquatabs tablets, such as the Aquatabs 8.68g tablets, to help prevent sludge buildup.
7. Consider using a Mozzie Block to keep mosquitoes and other insects out of your tank.

How to Keep Water Clean in a JoJo Tank

Keeping your JoJo tank clean often involves more than preventing visible contaminants. Without treatment, bacteria such as E. coli can grow. To identify if your JoJo tank is harboring any bacteria, consider a commercially available water test kit that tests for E. coli and total coliform bacteria. Additionally, products such as Aquatabs can also help make your water safer for both use and consumption. Aquatabs is a water purification tablet that kills most harmful microorganisms, in addition to preventing the buildup of sludge. This makes the Aquatabs 8.68g tablets the perfect all-around JoJo tank cleaner.

JoJo Tanks: The Peace of Mind Solution

As we’ve established, keeping your JoJo tank clean is essential to its use. Despite their need for a cleaning regime, JoJo tanks are extremely useful and can provide you and your family with regular peace of mind regarding your water. With proper care, JoJo water tanks can provide a backup water supply during water outages or times of water contamination. Just be sure to clean the tanks regularly and use products such as Aquatabs to ensure safer water.