Time to CleanCisterns
The Department of EnvironmentalHealth (DEH) reminds cistern owners and users to clean, repairand disinfect their gutters, catchments and cisterns before usingthem.
With normal usage a cisternshould be disinfected every three months, after every heavy rainfalland each time it is filled up. Adding 2.5 fluid ounces (75 ml)of household chlorine bleach to every 1000 gallons of water storedis the quickest way to disinfect your cistern and make it safefrom bacterial contamination.
After the chlorine is added,remember to stir the water with a clean paddle to distribute itthroughout the cistern.
Avoid over-chlorinatingyour cistern. If the cistern is dirty with lots of sediment, thewater cannot be disinfected properly. Adding more chlorine willnot improve the cistern. Have it cleaned by a professional andthen treat it. Non-experienced persons should never enter a cistern.
For further informationor to obtain a copy of the brochure Care and Maintenance of YourCistern, contact the Department of Environmental Health at 949-6696in Grand Cayman or 948-2321 for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac