My wife and I are in the process of moving from one house to a smaller one in a Moo Baan off Nimmarnhemin. Where we currently are we has a stainless water tank and pump. We shower, wash and drink the water (boiled) from the tank.

When I looked at the next house I did not see a water tank and asked the agent, and of course, she did not know. Today I was there looking at the front are and noticed a square "hole" in the concrete. It has a raised concrete lip and a warped wooden cover was sitting inside the lip. I lifter the cover and it was full of water. I thought "grey" water as the water was grey. But I could see a float valve and on further investigation found that it was obviously the water tank.

We were both concerned at the colour of the water. There was a frog sitting on the float. The lip was only about 25mm high so any flooding would allow the ground water to run into it. As it stands I would not like to even shower in it.

The Moo Baan is an older area and it appears the tank is just a concrete pit. Probably ok but over the years may no longer have good walls and may let ground water seep in.

Does anyone know of a specialised underground tank cleaner/inspector in Chiang Mai?

My other option is to install small above ground tank and pump.

Any helpful comments much appreciated.

If you install a new above ground water tank, why do you need a pump? Can't you use the one that is already there, just plumb into it with two valves, one to each tank?

Before you do anything you might check the incoming water to see if it is dirty. It could be that the existing tank is fine but the incoming water is dirty and may need filtering. Speaking of filters, have you looked around thoroughly to see if there is one or two?

Or it is possible that water is usually put directly into the house and the tank is just for emergencies and has not been used much hence dirty water.

Ask your RE Agent if the previous occupant is sick or dead, if not then no problem.

I turned the water off at the front and ran the outside tap for some time. I could not hear a pump so assume submersible. I have only looked at the house once but could not see pump or filters anywhere. But after running tap for awhile I turned water back on and tank started filling.

Maybe previous tenant was Thai. There stomachs can seem to handle anything.

I will wait till I get keys then pump tank out and inspect.

Why not have the water tested. There are many test labs around town.

Yes, good idea. Do you know of any labs in the Nimmarnhemin area?

The only Lab I know of is on the Chiang Mai / Mae Rim Road, on the left heading north, about 100 to 150 m before the Superhighway

ok thanks

If the water in the tank is dirty it is pointless getting it tested as it will show up all sorts of nasties . You should get the incoming water to the tank tested to determine wether that is potable. The next stage would be get the tank cleaned and inspected and if necessary get it relined if it is viable.

As previously stated the tank may only be for emergency use in the event of town mains water failure, it will still however require cleaning and disinfecting with chlorine.

If you have any doubts call in an expert.

UPDATE:

Installed above ground tank. Wife now happy to shower in water.