
If a cold water tank in York is dirty, oversized or has not been looked at for a long time, a clean and disinfection puts it right and gives you the paperwork to prove it.
Water Hygiene Services is an independent Legionella control company based in Leeds, about 25 miles from York. We clean and disinfect cold water tanks for estates managers, facilities managers and building and property managers in York.
What is a cold water tank clean and disinfection?
A tank clean removes sediment, scale, rust, sludge and biofilm from the inside of a cold water storage tank. The tank is then disinfected using an approved method and contact time, so bacteria levels fall and the stored water is safe to use. We work to HSG274, supporting ACoP L8.
Cleaning and disinfection are linked but not the same. Cleaning removes physical contamination, and disinfection treats the tank and the system afterwards. In most cases both are needed, because disinfecting a dirty tank does not last. For the full detail, see our Tank Cleaning and Disinfection page.
- Visible dirt, sediment or sludge in the tank
- Rust staining
- Damaged lids or missing insect screens
- Stale or discoloured water
- Poor microbiological results
- A tank that has been unused, repaired or altered
- A risk assessment that recommends cleaning
Tank cleaning in York
Yorkshire Water supplies the area. Historic buildings often have older tanks in difficult spaces, and access has to be planned carefully.
We clean tanks in:
- Hotels, guest houses and serviced apartments for visitors
- Historic and listed buildings, where pipework cannot easily be changed
- University and college buildings and student accommodation
- Restaurants, bars, visitor attractions and venues
- Care homes and the hospital
How a tank clean is carried out
- We plan the work with you so the tank can be isolated and drained safely.
- The tank is drained and cleaned inside, removing sediment, scale, rust, sludge and biofilm.
- We check the condition of the lid, screens and fittings, and note any defects.
- The tank and system are disinfected using an approved agent and contact time.
- The system is flushed and returned to service.
- You receive a job sheet and certificate, and notes on any defects found.
Questions we are asked in York
Our tank is in a difficult space. Can you still clean it?
Yes. We agree access and any shutdown in advance.
How often should a tank be cleaned?
There is no single frequency for every tank. HSG274 expects tanks to be inspected regularly, and cleaned and disinfected where inspection shows it is needed.



