Which water storage tank to choose?

Choosing the right water storage tank

There are many reasons to store water, and depending on where you live, some may overshadow 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 truck-delivered water. Similarly, homeowners on California’s central coast are paying premium 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 high cost and limits of city water have led to an increase in the purchase of water tanks to store rainwater and trucked water. Many across the country are choosing rainwater storage systems for economic reasons as well as environmental concerns. Still others have found they need freshwater storage after pouring thousands of dollars into a well that produces little or no usable water.

There are many other reasons homeowners, ranchers and others choose to purchase a water storage tank, including fire protection, emergency water storage, water treatment, water reclamation, irrigation and the needs of the cattle. 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 from several different materials including:

• Wood
• Steel
• fiberglass
• Concrete
• Polyethylene water storage tanks

Wooden tanks have been used for hundreds, maybe thousands of years for numerous uses ranging from bathing to beer and wine fermentation to water storage and more. These tanks can last a hundred years or more if properly cared for. The biggest problem with wood tanks is that the room fills up and the wood swells. Many see wooden tanks as both 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 typically used in industry to store a variety of liquids, including water. The advantages of steel tanks are their strength, durability and potential for large capacity. Tanks can be formed into a complete unit for shipment or designed to be assembled on site. These tanks are made from various types of steel and can have many types of linings. They become more profitable in sizes that exceed 100,000 gallons. Steel tanks typically require large crews 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 placed virtually anywhere. Another is its 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, running around $1.50 per gallon plus installation costs.

Concrete tanks can be precast or cast 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, considering they have an antique look and can lend themselves to landscaping. However, due to their weight, they usually require heavy machinery to position them or skilled help to build them on site. The cost can be high. A site built 10,500 tank starts at around $9,000.00.

Polyethylene water storage tanks are the most economical tanks for water storage up to around 50,000 gallons. Plastic drinking water tanks are lightweight, strong and durable, easy to use and easy to install. These tanks are rotationally molded, which means they have no seams to leak. They are impact resistant and can literally be rolled into place. They do not need special bedding or foundation and are usually placed on a bed of sand or paving. Dark green and black polyethylene tanks are specifically made to store water with only their dark color inhibiting algae growth. These tanks have UV inhibitors added to the polyethylene of 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.