Catchment Cleaning

[Cindy Blankenship]

Do those of you on catchment have your tanks cleaned periodically? When I lived on the island years ago my husband at the time cleaned ours just like you would a pool. He also cleaned some of those tall, metal ones and found a dead rat in one. I was just wondering. I don't own my own home any longer. Also does an ordinary filter protect from Lepo? Like if rats pee on roof? This last storm open up what were tiny leaks in the hall ceiling worse and it smells like pee :-( Not mildew. I'm looking for a newer house to rent, with an above ground pool type catchment. This is getting creepy.

[Robin C]

Hi, Cindy.

I haven't cleaned my tank yet, but plan to. A friend of mine does it like a pool and I'm planning on copying him.

There's a guy in Volcano that you can hire to do it. I think he advertises in Volcano News. (I'm assuming you are still up in this area.)

Regular charcoal filters do not protect for leptospirosis. You need a UV or reverse osmosis for that, as far as I know.

Best of luck.
Robin

[Les C]

I haven't done it quite yet, but I have a pool broom, pole and hose that I'm going to try on my 10K gal. tank. This will use siphoning action to suck out any stuff on the bottom. This was suggested to me by the folks at Waterworks. I will report on the effectiveness of this method.

Hawaii Catchment (in Shipman Ind. Park, Kea'au) refers you to someone who will clean gutters (and tanks?). The charge to do it in Volcano is on the higher side of the scale because of the travel time. I think it's something like $75-$150.

Regarding Leptospirosis, from what I've heard, there is no treatment to eliminate it, nor is there a test to detect it. It is even difficult for medical professionals to diagnose. I hope I got inaccurate information.

During the recent rains, our gutters were overflowing due to the accumulation of koa leaves that I hadn't been keeping up with. I opened my first flush/bypass and let the water drain from the downspouts (the catchment tank was full). I cleaned out the leaves and muck and hosed the gutters down, letting the dirty water out through the bypass. When water ran clear out of the bypass, I screwed the cap back on. I still had some gutter overflow from the downspout clogging with more leaves. I have screen plugs stuffed into the downspouts to keep leaves out, but this is clearly not effective in heavy rains as it can cause an overflow. I'm still looking for an effective leaf diversion system.

Edited by - Les C on 12/10/2007 11:29:50

[Kapohocat]

Try Mike Matthews in HPP. He comes and cleans tanks at a reasonable charge. He works with Mike Greelaw (also in HPP).

Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 217-7578
http://bluewaterpm.125mb.com/index.html
"We help make building your dream home a reality"

[Les C]

quote:

---

Regarding Leptospirosis, from what I've heard, there is no treatment to eliminate it, nor is there a test to detect it. It is even difficult for medical professionals to diagnose. I hope I got inaccurate information.

---

I rechecked with a source and found out that I didn't have it quite right. UV light treatment or bleach will kill thte leptospirosis bacteria. There currently is no test that will detect its presence. This is being worked on. Additionally, diagnosis of the illness contracted is difficult because the symptoms mimic several other illnesses.

[Sharlee]

how often should the catchment be cleaned?

When life gives you lemons....trade them for chocolate!