Which water storage tank should I choose?

Choosing the right water storage tank

There are many reasons for storing water, and depending on where you live, some reason may outshine others. Homeowners in California may need to store water for fire protection where people in Georgia and North Carolina currently battling the worst drought on record are looking for ways to store trucked-in water. Similarly, homeowners on California’s central coast are paying high prices for water if they can get it. It is not unusual for a home on a small 50 ‘x 75’ lot in San Luis Obispo County to generate a bi-monthly water bill of $ 500 or more. The city’s high cost and water limits have led to an increase in the purchase of water tanks to hold both rainwater and trucked-in water. Many across the country are opting for rainwater storage systems for economic reasons as well as environmental concerns. However, others have found that they need fresh water storage after pouring thousands of dollars into a well that produces little or no usable water.

There are many other reasons why homeowners, ranchers, and others choose to purchase a water storage tank, including fire protection, emergency water storage, water treatment, water reclamation, irrigation, and livestock needs. Which tank is the best option for you? Here is a small overview of the most common types of tanks available.

Liquid storage tanks are made of various materials for different including:

• Wood
• Steel
• Fiberglass
• Concrete
• Polyethylene Water Storage Tanks

Wooden tanks have been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years for numerous uses ranging from bathing to fermenting beer and wine, storing water, and more. These tanks can last a hundred years or more if they are cared for properly. The biggest problem with wooden tanks is that the room filled up and the wood swelled. Many see wooden tanks as beautiful and practical. However, the initial cost of the wooden tank is high. They are usually shipped in pieces and must be assembled by trained coopers.

Large volume steel tanks are generally used in industry to store a variety of liquids, including water. The advantages of steel tanks are their strength, durability and their potential enormous capacity. Tanks can be formed into a complete unit for shipment or designed to be assembled on site. These tanks are made of various types of steel and can have many types of linings. They become most profitable in sizes that exceed 100,000 gallons. Steel tanks generally require a large team and trained installers and the cost of installation can be high.

Fiberglass tanks have many advantages. One is their strength-to-weight ratio that allows them to be positioned virtually anywhere. Another is their ability to be buried without fear of failure over time due to rust or rot. Although fiberglass is versatile and durable, it is also relatively expensive, priced at around $ 1.50 per gallon plus installation costs.

Concrete tanks can be precast or fabricated on site and can last 30 to 50 years or more. Concrete tanks are strong and can be above ground or buried. Some like the look of concrete as they consider it to have an antique look and can lend itself to landscaping. However, due to their weight, they usually need large machinery to install them or qualified help to build them on site. The cost can be high. A 10,500 tank built at the site starts at approximately $ 9,000.00.

Polyethylene water storage tanks are the most economical tanks for storing water up to around 50,000 gallons. Plastic drinking water tanks are lightweight, strong, durable, easy to work with, and easy to install. These tanks are rotomolded, which means they have no spillage seams. They are impact resistant and can literally be rolled into place. They do not need special bedding or foundations and are usually laid on a bed of sand or pavement. The dark green and black polyethylene tanks are specifically made to store water only with its dark color that inhibits algae growth. These tanks have UV inhibitors added to the polyethylene in the tanks, giving them a typical service life of 15 years or more.

Remember, when planning to install any large water storage tank, be sure to check local codes, permits, and other requirements.