Above Left: This illustration provided a 3D graphical representation of a number of Rotavirus virions, set against a black background. Note the organism’s characteristic, wheel-like appearance, which was made visible when viewed under the electron microscope.

Rotavirus

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, or polluted stormwater runoff.

Salmonella

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people or animals that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted stormwater runoff, or agricultural runoff.

Legionella

• Common sources: 

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in building water systems, such as faucets or hot water heaters, and devices that create small droplets of water, such as cooling towers, hot tubs, or decorative fountains. Most identified outbreaks are in buildings with large, complex water systems, such as hotels, long-term care facilities, and hospitals. #1 on the CDC list.

Campylobacter

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people or animals that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted stormwater runoff, or agricultural runoff. This bacteria is #2 on the CDC list.

Below: Microscopic photo of Campylobacter bacteria.

Shigella

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, or polluted stormwater runoff.

Below: Microscopic photo of

Shigella.

Each of these germs can use the sediment on the floor of your water storage tank to get a foothold in your water system. The sediment provides a safe habitat where these contaminants can hide from chlorine and other disinfectants, grow, and become a health concern. Keeping your tanks clean is the best way to protect your system from these pathogens that are known to be in municipal water storage tanks!

Clean Your Tanks This Year!

CDC estimates at least 1.1 million people in the United States get sick every year from germs in drinking water.

• Legionella germs are the most common cause of illness outbreaks linked to drinking water.
• Cleaning your tanks can improve your water quality and help to avoid contamination in your system.

Click here for the:

CDC Drinking Water Fact Sheet

Above Right: This photo-micrograph reveals some of the histopathology of a section of intestinal tissue in a case of cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidium (Crypto)

• Common sources: 

Feces (poop) from infected people or animals that get into the water through sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted stormwater runoff, or agricultural runoff.

Norovirus

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, or polluted stormwater runoff. Norovirus is #4 on the list of most found contaminants in public water systems.

E. coli O157

• Common sources: 

Cattle farms, where E. coli O157 can live in the intestines of healthy cattle; less commonly, poop from an infected person or animal that gets into the water through sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted stormwater runoff, or agricultural runoff.

Enterovirus

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, or polluted stormwater runoff.

Giardia

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people or animals that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted stormwater runoff, or agricultural runoff. Giardia is #3 on the CDC list of municipal water contaminants.

Hepatitis A virus

• Common sources: 

Poop from infected people that gets into the water from sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted stormwater runoff, or agricultural runoff.

Below: Microscopic photo of Hepatitis A virus.

Our Potable Water Dive Crew cleans tanks from 20,000 gallons to 10MG. We are here to help you keep your tank clean when you need us.

We also clean and inspect very small pressure tanks and GST's.

Check out our tiny tank cleaning video. We give special rates to tanks under 10,000 gallons. Call 817-377-4899.

Check out our Award Winning Films on our TAP TALK Video Series blog.

We have put together great videos from our dive crew that you will want to see.

Check it out at: www.taptalk.blog

Meet our 2025 Potable Water Dive Crew and see how we dive into potable water, just click the Red button Below.