A simple tank fitting to significantly improve the quality of your tank water, and extend water filter life.
The ability of water tanks to store not only water, but also to collect everything else from off the roof, (or other water source), is well known. The water tank then provides a perfect environment for a multitude of microbes to multiply in the resulting layer of organic matter on the tank bottom.
Increasing studies into the quality of tank water have found some disturbing facts that challenge the notion of tank water superiority. Sure it can be chlorine and fluoride free, and in general tastes far better than town water, but in most cases tank water contains significant quantities of micro organisms, many of which can be very detrimental to your health.
The chances of fatal diseases from tank water are very low; however, there is a very high chance of ‘minor’ illnesses. These are caused mainly by E-coli and campylobacter bacteria which are present in virtually every water tank. They are concentrated at the bottom of the tank and if you ingest too many you get an upset tummy and /or diarrhoea. Most people attribute their symptoms to bad food or “a bit of the bot,” and accept the inconvenience, but it shouldn’t be so. Good water is the very basis of health and our immune systems have enough work to do already without extra caused by an easily preventable burden of faecal bacteria. Also this type of illness spreads easily so it tends to affect the whole family.
Some tank water also carries the harmful water parasites, Giardia and Cryptosporidium, usually derived from the gut of mammals or birds. River and dam water sources usually have higher instances of these single celled organisms than rain water tanks, (except if rodents and possums inhabit roof catchment areas!). Both these organisms have the potential to make us quite ill.
Your Tank Water Column
Importantly, as well as carrying lower numbers of these bugs, the upper level in your water tank contains fresher, more highly oxygenated water which is noticeably better tasting.
Obviously drawing water from the tank bottom / organic zone is not good for best water quality.
It also shortens the life of any water filter or purifier system, because organic rubbish from this area is forced through the water filters, clogging them quicker; pump life can also be reduced.
The WaterBoy, a floating water intake device designed specifically for water tanks, has been developed to tap this better quality water (from the top of your tank),and deliver it (by your existing water pump) to your household. The WaterBoy is not a filter, but will also greatly extend the longevity of tank water filters, by optimising your tank water quality, 24/7.
Why not get your house water from the cleanest, best tasting part of the tank water column? -This is the job of the WaterBoy!!
Like all good innovations it is simple and it works brilliantly.
Not only does it get your water supply away from the zone where the bugs like to reside and multiply, it also gets you the cleanest and tastiest water in the tank!
Being just below the surface, it tastes better because it is fresh and highly oxygenated.
With its floating intake,the WaterBoy automatically adjusts to the changing water level in your tank, and you need never worry that it isn’t working because it always is!
WaterBoy Construction:
WaterBoy for Tank Water
The WaterBoy is made from the best quality non toxic, food grade components, including a welded stainless steel cage, stainless steel collar bracket, stainless steel chain, polyethylene flotation buoy, and a flexible outflow pipe. It carries a 10 year guarantee but will last for many more.
WaterBoy Installation:
The WaterBoy tank outlet is fitted to the pump outlet pipe (inside the tank), ensuring your pump now only draws from the inlet floating just below the water surface at the top of your tank, where the best tasting water is located.
WaterBoy is customised to your tank: the standard outlet fitting is 32mm sizing, but this will vary depending upon the tank construction ( plastic, concrete, metal, wood), and outlet diameter of your tank. Other sizes are available, and can be specified .
We will ask you to indicate whether your tank is plastic, concrete, metal, or wood when ordering, and also to measure your outlet pipe diameter so that we can customise the WaterBoy to your water tank for easy fitting.
WaterBoy FAQ
1. I’ve had tank water for years and never had problems, so why would I want a WaterBoy unit?
Realistically (and statistically) the chances of fatal diseases from tank water are very low, however, there is a very high chance of ‘minor’ illnesses. These are caused mainly by E-coli and campylobacter bacteria which are present in virtually every water tank. They are concentrated at the bottom of the tank and if you ingest too many you get an upset tummy and or diarrhoea. Most people attribute their symptoms to bad food and accept the inconvenience, but it shouldn’t be so. Good water is the very basis of health and our immune systems have enough work to do already without extra caused by an easily preventable burden of faecal bacteria. Also this type of illness spreads easily so it tends to affect the whole family.
Some tank water also carries the harmful water parasites, Giardia and Cryptosporidium, usually derived from the gut of mammals or birds. River and dam water sources usually have higher instances of Giardia than rain water tanks, (except if rodents and possums inhabit roof catchment areas). Both these organisms have the potential to make us quite ill.
‘ Combining the WaterBoy with a high performance water purifying system ( our Super Purifier Plus ), provides the ultimate in water health protection for the whole family ‘.
2. I’ve got good strainers and leaf filters so my tank is clean?
Sorry but it can never be really clean of small contaminants and micro organisms. Imagine what happens to bird droppings when it rains: they become somewhat dissolved, and “bird poo water” travels to the tank. These faecal bacteria are already in suspension, and multiply using the nutrients in the tank water, with maximum concentration occuring in the organic matter of the tank bottom.
3. I already have filters for my water tank. Will the WaterBoy interfere with them?
Not at all. The cleaner water that the WaterBoy provides means that your filters will last a longer before needing cleaning or replacement, saving you money.
4. Is the WaterBoy difficult to install?
Not really, but you do require “person” access to the inside of the tank. Ideally the water level inside the tank must be shallow enough to stand in and reach the outlet. This equates to about a quarter of a tank of water. The whole operation should only take 15mins and is basically just screwing or pushing the end of the WaterBoy unit into the outlet. (Full instructions supplied). WaterBoys have been installed by snorkelling in a full tank but this is not recommended.
5. I’ve got a full tank so I’ve got to empty it to install the WaterBoy?
Not completely, but it is easiest to install with approximately a quarter full tank. It is difficult for many people to “waste” their tank water but if it’s done before good rainfall is forecast, tank is full again in no time. The dramatic positive benefits of the WaterBoy easily outweigh the loss of some water. If you can’t bear the thought of lowering the tank level, you could install it when the water level is low due to drought or high usage.
6. What happens if I run out of water?
Exactly what happens if you run out now, i.e. the pump will be in danger of sustaining damage. The WaterBoy unit cannot become blocked so the priority is to turn off the pump and get more water! We recommend a tank level indicator because we all know how inconvenient running out of water is.
7. How do I measure my pipe size for the WaterBoy outlet attachment?
It’s easy: all you need to do is measure across the pipe that sticks out at the bottom of your tank. It will probably (but not always) go into a valve and then to the pump.
The diameter of the outlet pipes vary but as long as you get it fairly accurate we can send the correct fitting. If you don’t include a measurement we will send a 32mm fitting which is the most common. Don’t forget to indicate the material your tank is made of (plastic, concrete, metal, wood),as this is also relevant.
8. What kind of guarantee do you offer?
The WaterBoy is guaranteed for 10 years, and is constructed from the finest materials available so should last for many more. The components are food grade plastic and stainless steel.
9. Will it mean I have less water pressure if I have a gravity fed water system?
No, water will be the same pressure.
