Potable water diving

A potable water diver works in a potable water tank. Potable water tanks are the storage facilities the water utilities use to store our drinking water in until we are ready to use it. These facilities include water towers, ground tanks and underground tanks. Certified SCUBA divers wearing dry suits are washed down with a 200ppm chlorine solution using gear that is purchased for and only used in potable water. No part of the divers body touches the water. This meets American Water Works Association standards for entering a public water system. The diver is then able to move about the tank to perform inspections or clean the tank. Using a specially equipped pump or airlift system they are then able to remove the sediment from the floor of the tank. This is the most effective way to clean a potable water storage tank because it removes sediment that can be a habitat for bacteria and other contaminants. Everything that is loose is removed without damage to painted surfaces. This allows the chlorine in the system to more effectively do its job.

For more information and photos see the potable water diver blog at http://potabletankdiver.wordpress.com/

The term TANK DIVER refers to a certified diver that works in potable water storage tanks. Also see "Potable Water Diver". Potable water tanks are the storage facilities the water utilities use to store our drinking water in until we are ready to use it. To inspect or clean these structures certified divers referred to as "TANK DIVERS" are sealed in a Dry Suit. The diver is actually in his own environment no part of the diver touches the water. They are then washed down with a chlorine solution to meet American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards. Divers may then enter the drinking water tank to perform an inspection or clean the tank. Removing sediment from the floor of a water storage tank removes the habitat that may harbor bacteria and other contaminates. This is an economical way to insure the maximum protection to public health.

The term TANK DIVER was first used By Ron Perrin in 1992 when he co founded TDI Tank Diver Inspections. That company did not last as long as the term "TANK DIVER".