There isn't any sediment when I drain down either system, just a few leaves that would have got swept into the leaf baskets when it rained next time. Both systems have screw capped drains taking the water well away from the house and shed, both at the lowest levels, draining them effectively. I drain them down on a regular basis once the weather warms up and the rain eases so they are left dry ready for any rain, with the caps back on as soon as they are drained.
I forgot to put the cap back for a few hours at a previous property and the next time I drained it down a big bloated goanna floated out. I had to mentally accept the dilution rate made it alright and maybe a tonic but hoped there hadn't been enough rain to quite fill the system since I had drained it before[only summer showers].
As I mentioned, the smell only came after 80% of the water had drained out and would have been the water in the downpipes exposed to light for a couple of weeks. The first 80% was pure, the water at the bottom of the system where it's dark. Only another month until the summer solstice so the sun has a bite.
So no sediment problem and there are good drainage points.
I started this thread in order to let others know that they need to drain down their systems in the summer as the trapped water breeds bacteria and why that happens[first post].
So the water going into my tank has been as clean as I could make it since i've been here, 15 months. The outlet is, as per usual, higher than the drain/fire access outlet. When I open the drain outlet it runs clean within seconds so i'm confident there isn't much sediment in the bottom of the tank and since the tank water is in total darkness assume bacteria would find life difficult. It certainly tastes good.
Having explained all that i'm interested in the sediment trap but wonder if it's needed when you can drain the system down as that flow is so strong it must flush the pipes out quite well?
