Operation consists of opening and closing the valves, and managing a chlorinator, if provided. If the reservoir does not deliver directly to a tap, water distribution is usually carried out by a caretaker. A well-designed and well-built reservoir needs very little maintenance. The surroundings must be kept clean on a regular basis; every two months the valves must be closed and opened to prevent them from sticking, and the screens must be checked. Occasionally, a screen or tap may need to be repaired. Once a year, or sooner if contamination is suspected, the reservoir must be drained, de-silted, cleaned with a brush and disinfected with chlorine. Any leaks or cracks in the concrete have to be repaired as soon as possible. If needed, a caretaker can be appointed to regulate the inflow and outflow. A concrete reservoir has few other organizational requirements.
==Manuals, videos and links==
* [http://www.africaexchange.org/dev_projects.html APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS]. Africa Exchange water projects.
==Acknowledgements==
* Brikke, François, and Bredero, Maarten. [http://www.washdoc.info/docsearch/title/117705 Linking technology choice with operation and maintenance in the context of community water supply and sanitation: A reference document for planners and project staff] or ([http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/om/wsh9241562153/en/ alternative link]). World Health Organization and IRC Water and Sanitation Centre. Geneva, Switzerland 2003.
* CARE Nederland, Desk Study: [[Resilient WASH systems in drought-prone areas]]. October 2010.