5 Tips to Maintain Water Trucks on the Construction Site

Proper maintenance of water trucks on construction sites is essential for optimal performance and safety on the job site.

• By Sara VanFleet
• Jul 19, 2024

Every construction professional knows the importance of water trucks on a job site. Water trucks are essential to bringing water to important parts of a job site. This means these vehicles must work at maximum efficiency, and efficient water trucks are well-maintained water trucks. Sadly, most construction site water trucks are not properly maintained because construction firms either ignore routine maintenance or don’t know how to maintain water trucks. 

Water trucks are unique vehicles. So, despite its integral role on the job site, it isn’t surprising many construction pros don’t know every step in the maintenance process. Unfortunately, this leaves the safety of workers open to compromise in the process. Proper maintenance of water trucks is essential to maintain the longevity and optimal output of the vehicle. So don’t skip routine maintenance. Here are a few tips to help maintain water trucks on the construction job site.

1. Leak Inspections

The most important part of a water truck is the large tank they have to store and transport water. A water tank will eventually crack, and that crack will eventually leak. A leaky tank will drain water, making the water truck useless on a job site. Construction crews should be checking their water truck tanks for leaks every day before and after using them. Fill the tank with water and see if anything leaks out. It is important to check the hose for leaks as well. 

If there is a crack, it must be filled immediately. Don’t ignore it and wait for it to get worse. If necessary, get a mechanic to help address any cracks. The most common cause of leaks is riding on rough terrain. Construction sites are known for bumpy terrain and a water truck constantly vibrating and bouncing will eventually lead to cracks in the tank. Have a professional reseal the water tank annually. Doing this will prevent cracks and expand the lifespan of the water truck by 15 to 20 years.

2. Clean the Tank Interior

Cleaning the interior of the water truck’s tank is an essential piece of routine maintenance. However, it is also the most often ignored piece of routine maintenance by construction crews. Dirty water from a fire hydrant or construction site pond will cause leaves, dirt and sometimes a dead animal to get stuck inside the tank. Most water trucks have a screen to keep debris out of the tank, but these are not 100 percent effective. 

Debris will clog the water tank’s pipelines and eventually cause them to burst. Clean the inside of the water tank at least once a month. Remove the water from the tank, and remove any debris inside the tank. Use a flashlight to help see inside the tank. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 to 20 minutes to clean the tank, and it will save a lot of money that would have otherwise gone to repairing a burst pipeline.

3. Manage the Battery

No vehicle can efficiently run without a functional battery, and battery maintenance is even more prevalent for water trucks. They are heavy vehicles that use a lot of energy, which means the battery can wear out quickly if not properly maintained. The best ways to maintain the battery in the water truck are keeping lights off when possible, installing a battery shut-off switch and not keeping the vehicle off for an extended period. No one wants the battery to die out while on a job site.

4. Do a DOT Inspection

An inspection from the right authorities can go a long way in ensuring the water truck is safe to use and will protect the construction company from liability caused by operating a vehicle that is not road-worthy. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will inspect any water truck to see if they are good for the road and the job site. Get a DOT inspection once per year. This small step will help catch smaller issues before they become big problems.

5. Buy the Right Water Truck

A big reason why water trucks break down is because construction crews buy the wrong truck. Before purchasing a water truck, know how it will be used. Water trucks used in urban areas have different needs than ones that normally work in rural areas. For example, air bag suspension on the rear of construction site water trucks is not recommended because they can pop on bumpy terrain and shift weight in transport. They are completely fine though if the water truck is never going to encounter bumpy terrain. 

A construction site water truck needs rear spring suspension systems because they allow the water tank to better move with the frame. Other water trucks don’t need this. Know what the priorities are before buying a water truck will help to avoid a lot of expensive repairs and save time from maintaining a water truck that does not work for the construction crew. 

Water trucks are an essential tool for construction crews and doing proper routine maintenance will ensure a water truck continues to run efficiently for years.