Patent ID: 8852355

Claim:
A gravity feed, elevated potable water tank or tower wherein an accumulation of sediment occurs along a bottom wall surface, said tank or tower having a riser pipe having an inside which serves as a water inlet and outlet, said tank or tower holding water at a pressure head, and a passive system for vacuuming out the sediment comprising a conduit manifold along a bottom wall of the tank or tower with conduit branches connected to a plurality of nozzles downwardly directed to the bottom wall surface, said manifold supported above the bottom wall on struts such that the nozzles are positioned above the bottom wall in the vicinity of the sediment, a drain pipe connected to the manifold and extending through the inside of the riser pipe, a valve for controlling flow of water through the drain pipe, said nozzles and manifold in fluid communication with the drain pipe, whereby the pressure head in the tank or tower causes sediment to be vacuumed out of the tank or tower by the nozzles as water flows down through the drain pipe.