Water tank cleaning in Harat Al Sawalhah, Jeddah

Potable-rated materials

Linings and disinfectants cleared for drinking water tanks, not general-purpose products.
You get the downtime first

How many hours the tank is out of service, told before we start rather than after we finish.
A first-draw flush

We run the first draw off after refilling, and the tank is not handed back until the water runs clear.
Ground and roof tanks

Villas, apartment blocks and premises that need a written record of each visit.

Why the job is different in Harat Al Sawalhah

Sawalhah tanks oxidise fast from sea salt carried on the air, and the shops draw so much water that pressure fails for the residents above. The method is set out in full on how we approach Water tank cleaning.

The first reason

Sea salt and extreme humidity from maritime air

The quarter stands beside the harbour and corniche, and the air is saturated with sea salt and marine moisture. Salt enters vent openings and deposits on interior walls. Corrosion of reinforcement steel and metal pipes happens at exceptional speed.

The second reason

Shared tanks split between shops and residential flats

A single shop at street level and flats above share one small tank. The shop uses heavy water flow during the day, and this repeated rapid discharge empties the tank and cuts water pressure to the flats.

The third reason

Narrow streets and poor air circulation trap salt laden moisture

The alley streets are extremely tight and buildings are pressed close together, so humid sea air stagnates between the walls. Tanks in this trapped damp air accumulate moisture on the outside and the concrete linings crack from the strain.

The character of Harat Al Sawalhah

Mixed district: shops at street level with homes above them

Shops in Sawalhah sit below flats and share one small tank, using heavy water flow for floor washing and equipment cleaning. This means the tank empties fast and residents above suffer frequent supply cuts, especially during shop business hours.

Before treatment

The condition of the tank decides the method

An old coastal quarter with very high sea humidity and airborne salt, where tanks are shared between commercial shops and residential flats in tightly packed buildings.

Fine brown sediment beneath shallow water

The layer on the floor

Floor sediment contains sea salt and metal oxides from humid salty air, and deposits fast and thickly.

Light and algae

Algae and fungi grow fast from salt, moisture and light entering through openings, and warm water accelerates growth.

A damp concrete wall carrying a dark deposit

The deposit on the wall

Green, red and black layers of algae, fungi and oxidation coat the walls rapidly.

A concrete surface with a fine hairline crack

The lining and hairline cracks

Concrete linings crack under the intense salt crystallisation that happens as seawater evaporates, and hairline cracks continuously leak salt water inward.

The lid of a water tank on a building roof

The lid and the access hatch

Lids and hatches stand exposed to salt spray and humidity, so seals crumble quickly and lose their seal.

A plastic pipe leaving the exterior wall of a building

The vent and the overflow pipe

Vent openings clog with evaporated salt crystals and mould growth in the high humidity.

How we work

1
Inspect before the drain

Tank type and material, the condition of the lining, the depth of the sediment, the lid and the vent, and where the drained water will go. We agree the window without supply before anything is opened.
2
Drain, then lift the sludge

The water leaves through the outlet, then the layer beneath it is taken out by hand and by suction. That layer is the reason for the visit, not the water that ran out ahead of it.
3
High pressure wash

Walls, floor and the joint where they meet, with a brush wherever the film resists, then the wash water is taken out completely so nothing we lifted settles again.
4
Disinfect and put back in service

Disinfectant over every internal surface, left for its contact time and then rinsed out, followed by the refill, a first draw off at the taps, and a report on what was inside the tank.

What water tank cleaning includes

An inspection before the valve

Tank type, lining condition, depth of sediment, lid and vent, recorded before any water leaves.
Full drain and sediment removal

The water through the outlet, and the layer below it by hand and by suction until the floor itself is showing.
Pressure washing walls and floor

High pressure across the surfaces and corners, and a brush on anything water alone will not lift.
Disinfection after the wash

A disinfectant intended for drinking water tanks, named to you before it is used, left for its contact time and then rinsed out.
Refill and the first draw off

We refill, run the taps so the new water moves through the pipework, and tell you when it is ready to use.
A report and the next date

What was inside the tank, anything on the lid or the lining that needs repair, and a sensible date for the next clean.

Landmarks of Harat Al Sawalhah

Sawalhah tanks sit on the roofs of old buildings that overlook Thuwal Corniche directly and stand only steps from Thuwal Harbour itself. Access to the quarter is by the Jeddah Madinah Road, turning toward the Thuwal Cultural Centre when reaching the corniche.

Jeddah Madinah Road
Thuwal Corniche
Thuwal Harbour
Thuwal Cultural Centre

Questions about this district

Water cuts off upstairs when the shop below opens a tap. Why does that happen?

The shop and the flat share a single small tank. The shop uses water heavily during business hours. The quarter may need a larger tank or a second tank to serve everyone fairly.

The water at the shop has a strong sea salt smell. Is the tank contaminated from the air?

Marine air thick with salt enters vent openings and increases salt concentration in the water. This is normal here but needs regular tank inspection and frequent cleaning.

The quarter is close to Thuwal harbour and fishing boats. Does that affect the water?

Fish and marine life do not enter tanks directly, but humid salty air carries maritime smells and tastes. Sealed openings and good ventilation reduce this effect.

The shop sells fish and meat and the water smells strange. Why?

High humidity and salt combined with cooking smells encourage bacterial growth in the tank. Regular cleaning and strong disinfection are more important here than elsewhere.

The tank is old and rusted from salt and moisture. Should it be replaced?

Rust and oxidation from salt may be only surface deep. Deep cleaning and disinfection may solve it if the lining is sound. A detailed inspection is essential.

The street is very narrow and the tank sits on an old building roof. How do you reach it?

Very narrow streets mean we must use small portable equipment carried by hand. We will agree a schedule that eases access, and we may need to work through the building.

How much does water tank cleaning in Harat Al Sawalhah cost?

It is set after the inspection, because the price follows the type of infestation, the size of the space, how far it has spread and the number of visits it needs. Send a photo and a description on WhatsApp and we will give you an estimate before we reach Harat Al Sawalhah.