Cisterns and "growth"

[booger]

What's the best way to handle cisterns so there's no funky growth? We have a new green plastic-type one. Should we cover it? Paint it black?

 

[goatlady2]

The only cisterns I am familiar with are buried underground so there is no problem with "growth." I would think you would/should treat the water with Clorox just like you do when storing water in the house in jugs or barrels if you are using your own well water. If you are buying and hauling water from a town source it is already treated.

 

[Tadpole]

Booger, I have no experience with cisterns. But if you are talking about algae growth, it can't grow unless it has light. So no light, no algae.

 

[booger]

Thanks! The cistern has to be in a temporary place until the new house is built so we're not going to waste energy digging a hole for it yet. We'll probably throw some mud and/or a tarp over it for now.