What is the proper way to pipe a storage system / cistern?

[Matt30]

I do a lot of work in an area with very low yielding wells. Storage systems are common.
My boss is a very good old school plumber and claims to specialize in pumps and well systems. I’ve always just installed things to his design.

So in the last couple months, different water treatment companies have made comments to our customers that the way we pipe the system is wrong and it has caused some backlash.

My boss pipes the system so the well fills the storage tank, then water is drawn from the tank, then goes through water treatment, then to the house.

The water treatment specialists are saying the water should be treated before it enters the tank.

Ive never actually asked my boss why he does it this way, and I’ve never heard a water treatment specialist tell me why their way is better.

The biggest complaint we get about our system dumping raw water into the storage tank is that appears dirty after some time.

Im curious what the forums insights are and what way you think is best and why?

 

[PlumbGate]

While not a plumber and no real experience on large systems like this, with typical home well systems that I have seen, the water is filtered and treated before it hits the storage tank. This allows more water to be available on-demand and less chance of concentrating nasties in the storage tank. I suppose if not a lot of water is used, it could get a bit stagnant sitting in the tank. A lot of that depends on the quality of the water treatment.

As far as your boss. My experience is people know what they know when they start in an industry and rarely learn or change anything as they progress through their career. If you did ask him "why", the answer is most likely either "if it ain't broke, don't fit it", or "this is the way I've always done it". The odds of getting an actual, technical answer are slim to none. I suspect he is a dinosaur and my money is on the treatment company as being correct.

 

[frodo]

While not a plumber and no real experience on large systems like this, with typical home well systems that I have seen, the water is filtered and treated before it hits the storage tank. This allows more water to be available on-demand and less chance of concentrating nasties in the storage tank. I suppose if not a lot of water is used, it could get a bit stagnant sitting in the tank. A lot of that depends on the quality of the water treatment.

As far as your boss. My experience is people know what they know when they start in an industry and rarely learn or change anything as they progress through their career. If you did ask him "why", the answer is most likely either "if it ain't broke, don't fit it", or "this is the way I've always done it". The odds of getting an actual, technical answer are slim to none. I suspect he is a dinosaur and my money is on the treatment company as being correct.

The best comment i have ever heard when a man was told "I have been doing it that way for 30 years"
Was
"You have been doing wrong for a very long time. I am here to show you the correct way"

A gasket was blown, cuss words. etc etc..