Are you exploring ways to secure a reliable water supply for your home, farm, or emergency needs? Water storage tanks are a practical and effective solution, offering peace of mind and greater self-sufficiency. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how these tanks work and how to choose the right one for you.
Understanding the Basics of Water Storage Tanks
At its core, a water storage tank is a container designed to hold water for various uses. While they come in many shapes and materials, the most common type for residential and agricultural use are the large, durable plastic tanks, often seen in blue or dark green. These are typically made from a material called food-grade, UV-stabilized polyethylene.
This material is incredibly popular for several key reasons:
Durability: Polyethylene is resistant to rust, corrosion, and impact, ensuring a long service life.
Safety: Reputable manufacturers use BPA-free, food-grade plastic that is certified for holding potable (drinkable) water. It won’t leach harmful chemicals into your water supply.
Lightweight: Compared to concrete or steel, plastic tanks are much lighter, making them easier to transport and install.
Seamless Design: Most polyethylene tanks are rotationally molded into a single piece, which means there are no seams that could weaken and cause leaks over time.
How Tanks Provide Reliable and Safe Water Holding
The ad you saw mentioned “reliable” and “safe” storage, and these are not just marketing terms. Specific design features are built into modern water tanks to deliver on these promises, ensuring the water you store remains clean and accessible when you need it.
Features for Reliability
A water tank is a long-term investment, and its reliability hinges on its construction. High-quality polyethylene tanks are designed to withstand the elements for decades. The UV-stabilized plastic prevents the sun’s harsh rays from making the material brittle and prone to cracking. Their sturdy, ribbed design provides structural integrity, allowing them to hold thousands of gallons of water without buckling or deforming. This robust construction ensures you have a dependable water source year after year with minimal maintenance.
Features for Safety and Cleanliness
Keeping stored water clean is the most critical function of any tank. Here is how modern tanks achieve this:
Opaque Materials: The dark green, black, or dark blue colors are not just for aesthetics. They block sunlight from entering the tank. Without sunlight, algae cannot grow, which is one of the most common causes of water contamination in storage systems.
Food-Grade Certification: Tanks intended for drinking water must meet strict standards, such as those from the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation). An “NSF/ANSI 61” certification means the tank is safe for holding potable water.
Screened Vents and Lids: Every tank needs a vent to allow air to escape as it fills and enter as it empties. These vents are covered with a fine mesh to prevent insects, leaves, and other debris from getting inside. The main lid is also securely fastened for the same reason.
Key Applications: From Homes to Emergencies
Water storage tanks are incredibly versatile. Their use can be tailored to fit the specific needs of a homeowner, a farmer, or someone focused on emergency preparedness.
Supporting Homes
For residential use, water tanks are most commonly used for rainwater harvesting. By connecting the tank’s inlet to your home’s gutter system, you can capture thousands of gallons of free, naturally soft water. This water is perfect for:
Gardening and Landscaping: Keep your lawn and garden green without using expensive municipal water.
Washing Cars and Outdoor Surfaces: Use stored rainwater for all your outdoor cleaning tasks.
Topping Off Swimming Pools: Reduce your reliance on the tap to keep your pool full.
Backup Supply: In areas with unreliable municipal water or for homes on well systems, a storage tank can provide a crucial backup supply during power outages or main line breaks. With proper filtration, this water can be used for drinking, cooking, and sanitation. Common residential tank sizes range from 1,000 to 5,000 gallons.
Supporting Farms
On farms and in agricultural settings, water is a critical resource. Large-capacity tanks, often 10,000 gallons or more, are essential for daily operations. Their uses include:
Livestock Hydration: Providing a constant and clean source of drinking water for animals.
Crop Irrigation: Storing water from wells or rainwater to irrigate fields, especially during dry seasons.
Equipment Cleaning: Having a large volume of water on hand for washing down tractors and other farm machinery.
Fertilizer and Pesticide Mixing: Storing water needed for agricultural chemical applications.
Meeting Emergency Supply Needs
Natural disasters, from hurricanes to wildfires to droughts, can disrupt public water supplies for days or even weeks. Having a personal water storage tank can be a lifeline. A dedicated emergency tank, filled with clean, potable water, ensures your family has what it needs for:
Drinking and Cooking: The rule of thumb is one gallon of water per person per day. A 500-gallon tank could support a family of four for over four months.
Sanitation and Hygiene: Having water for flushing toilets (by pouring it directly into the bowl), washing hands, and basic cleaning is vital for health during an emergency.
Fire Suppression: In rural or wildfire-prone areas, a large water tank can be fitted with a valve compatible with fire department hoses, providing a critical on-site water source for firefighters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can water be stored in a plastic tank? If the tank is properly sealed, opaque to prevent algae growth, and contains clean water, the water can be stored indefinitely. For drinking water, it is a good practice to rotate the supply every year or two just to keep it fresh.
Are all plastic tanks safe for drinking water? No. You must ensure the tank is made from food-grade, BPA-free polyethylene and is certified for potable water (look for NSF/ANSI 61 certification). Tanks sold for agricultural or industrial use may not meet these standards.
What is the difference between green and blue tanks? Both dark green and dark blue tanks are excellent at blocking sunlight to prevent algae growth. Some people prefer lighter blue or white tanks because it is easier to see the water level from the outside, but these tanks must be placed in a completely dark location (like a shed or basement) to avoid algae. For outdoor use, dark green, black, or dark blue are the best choices.