Abstract: A composition and method for cleaning tanks for drinking water, particularly for removing deposits consisting mainly of an agglomerate of algae, microorganisms and ochre sediments. The composition is an aqueous solution comprising about 3 to 6% of ascobic acid, 2 to 3% of formic acid, 7 to 10% of phosphoric acid, 1 to 3% of citric acid, 13 to 15% of hydrochloric acid and 10 to 15% of an aqueous isopropyl alcohol (all % by weight). The method involves spraying said aqueous solution under pressure onto the deposits.