If trucks are used to haul water, how must they be cleaned prior to use?

• A. Rinse with 1 gallon chlorine per 1,000 gallons of water
• B. Rinse with soap and water only
• C. No cleaning is required
• D. Rinse with ammonia solution

Answer: (A)

Cleaning the inside of trucks that haul potable water must include disinfection with a chlorine solution. Chlorine is effective at killing bacteria and other pathogens that could be carried from a previous load, preventing contamination of the next batch of water. The specified method—rinsing with chlorine at a rate of one gallon per thousand gallons of water—provides an appropriate disinfecting dose for a large tank, ensuring the interior surfaces are treated throughout. Soap and water alone only cleans and does not disinfect; ammonia is not an appropriate sanitizer for potable water and can introduce hazards. Skipping cleaning would leave residues that could contaminate the water supply. After sanitizing, follow local guidelines for flushing and verifying an adequate chlorine residual.