Sure, it’s good to prepare for emergencies, and there are plenty of places around the world where clean, usable water is in short supply. But why are people increasingly installing water storage tanks at their homes?
As it turns out, there are several good reasons to have the best water storage tank for your needs at your home and available to you.
For example, if you live in an area where forest fires are common, having your own water tank could come in very handy if a fire approaches your property. While the authorities will probably encourage you to evacuate, you may already know that you’re the type of person who will stay and fight as long as you can. Having your own water supply could help save your property. Firefighters and other homeowners may be draining all the pressure from the city supply, but with one or more water storage tanks, you could have hundreds or thousands of gallons at your disposal.
Other people have water storage tanks to store collected rainwater. While your neighbors are paying for chemically treated city water to water their grass and plants, you could be watering your yard with freely available and pure water that hasn’t been treated with chemicals or sent through corroded city pipes.
Still other people live in places where a public water supply isn’t available or is subject to shortage — or subject to low water pressure because of overuse by neighboring commercial properties or drought. A water storage tank gives these people somewhere to store the water that they have delivered from suppliers.
Water Storage Tanks: You Have Choices
No matter the reason for having one or more water storage tanks
While you might not immediately think wood is a good choice for a water tank, but wooden barrels have been used for hundreds of years — thousands, actually — to store water, wine, beer and many other liquids. Wood is subject to rotting and to breaking down over time, but it is certainly a viable choice. You will find that a wooden tank can last for decades if it is first properly treated and then properly taken care of.
While wooden barrels look great, there are less expensive and more popular options.
Nothing is stronger than a steel tank. Steel water storage tanks are perfect for many applications, including in locations where a very large tank is desired. You’ll never find a wooden tank large enough for some uses. Many steel tanks are so large, in fact, that you’ll need a professional installation team to put them in for you.
Steel tanks are coated in a variety of ways, so it’s important to choose a steel tank with a coating appropriate for your water type as well as for your budget.
Concrete tanks are also very durable and can last for decades. Because they’re heavy, however, you’ll need professional help with a concrete tank as well.
Fiberglass water storage tanks won’t rot or rust and can be installed in the ground. Since they’re strong but also lightweight and easy to install, they’re the perfect choice for many water tank users. They’re fairly expensive, but they’re worth the money because of their durability.
For the most budget-conscious water storage tank buyers, a plastic or polyethylene tank is a great choice, and options are available that hold up to 5,000 gallons or more.
Plastic has many advantages. First, it’s lightweight. Many tanks are round and can be easily rolled into position.
Plastic tanks aren’t likely to leak either because they’re made in one solid piece. They also don’t require a special sand, gravel or concrete foundation. You can even empty and move them if the original location isn’t ideal.
Be sure to choose a plastic tank that’s black or very dark in color to prevent algae growth if it will be installed outside and used for long-term storage. Clear or white tanks work best indoors or for short-term storage when algae isn’t likely to be a problem.
A Final Word
Having a water storage tank on your property can save you from drought, fire, rationing and help you collect rainwater so you can save on your water bill. It’s also an important step in disaster preparedness. If the public water supply becomes contaminated, you’ll still have some water.
Water storage tanks are also an environmentally friendly addition to your property when you use them to collect rainwater.
Because there are so many reasons to include one or more water storage tanks on your property, there’s probably a very good reason for you to have one.
Whether you choose a large or small model or one that’s steel, fiberglass, wood, concrete or plastic, you’ll be sure to have water when others are struggling to find it — and you’ll be saving money when others are paying their highest bills of the year.