Are you trying to decide which type of water storage tank to install at your facility? While the wide variety of water tanks may be initially overwhelming, you can quickly determine the best tank for your situation by considering several factors:
- Application. What kind of water is your tank going to store?
- Capacity. How much water do you need to store?
- Budget. How much money are you willing to invest into your water storage tanks?
With these questions in mind, continue reading to learn which water storage tank is ideal for your situation.
Different Types of Water Storage Tanks
The following water tanks are organized from most affordable to most durable. As with all products, the more you’re willing to invest in your storage tank, the more dependable and long-lasting the tank will be.
1. Bladder Tanks
Also known as pillow tanks, these collapsable tanks are made out of durable fabric or rubber and can quickly be deployed in the field. Another advantage is that custom bladder tanks can be quickly produced to meet tight deadlines.
Pillow tank capacity can range anywhere from 25 to 25,000 gallons.
Bladder tanks can be used for any kind of temporary water storage, including rainwater, drinking water, non-potable water, and greywater.
2. Folding Tanks
In a similar cost bracket to bladder tanks, folding tanks are another temporary and quick-to-setup water storage solution. These tanks generally range in capacity from 500 to 5,000 gallons.
Also similar to bladder tanks, folding tanks can be used for any kind of short-term water storage, including industrial wastewater storage, water purification, drinking water storage, and pollution control.
Because folding tanks are so easy to deploy, they are ideal for emergency water storage on rough terrain.
3. Polyethylene Water Storage Tanks
Polyethylene water tanks are ideal for storing small volumes of potable drinking water. Capacity ranges from 25 to 20,000 gallons. Unlike folding and bladder tanks, polyethylene “plastic” tanks are long-term water storage tanks.
These tanks are great for facilities that have limited budgets and need small-to-medium, potable water storage tanks.
4. Above Ground Fiberglass Storage Tanks
These long-lasting storage tanks range in capacity from 4,000 to 50,000 gallons. Fiberglass water tanks are ideal for companies that need a long-term storage solution but don’t have the budget for steel-welded water storage tanks.
Fiberglass water tanks are ideal for storing caustic water. Applications include greywater, rainwater, drinking water, and any kind of non-potable water.
One disadvantage of fiberglass water storage tanks is that they can become brittle and are prone to cracking if not maintained correctly.
5. Corrugated Steel Tanks
Corrugated steel tanks are robust water storage solutions that can range in capacity from 500 to over 1-million gallons. These tanks are a good middle-ground between fiberglass and steel-welded storage tanks.
Corrugated water storage tanks are typically field-erected and are used for fire protection, irrigation water storage, wastewater treatment, and potable water supply.
6. Steel-Welded Standpipes
Steel-welded standpipes and reservoirs (the following entry) are the two gold standards of water storage tanks. These imposing steel structures can be built to hold any capacity of water, constructed to any size, and are fabricated to truly stand the test of time.
Standpipes are above-ground steel tanks that use gravity to create pressure for a water supply system. These industrial-quality water storage tanks have capacities ranging from thousands of gallons to millions of gallons, making them ideal for fire suppression systems and portable water storage tanks.
If you are looking for a reliable and long-lasting water storage solution that requires minimal maintenance, then a steel-welded standpipe is likely the ideal water tank for your job site. Or, if you want a water storage tank with a lower profile, then a steel reservoir is an equally good choice — bringing us to the final entry on this list.
7. Steel-Welded Water Storage Reservoirs
Steel water reservoirs are a premium storage solution. These tanks can range from shop-built reservoirs capable of holding thousands of gallons, up to massive field-erected reservoirs capable of holding tens of millions of gallons.
Because reservoirs are fabricated from steel, they can be optimized to store any kind of water.
Steel-welded reservoirs offer many advantages. They are robust, leak-free, and when positioned on high ground they provide an economical source of water pressure. An additional benefit of reservoirs is that their lower profile makes them easy to conceal.
How to Choose the Right Type of Water Storage Tank
Now that you know which types of steel water storage tanks are available, you can make an educated decision about which tank to get.
If you need a temporary water storage tank that is easy to set up and take down, then a bladder or folding tank is ideal for you. Or, if you only need to store a few thousand gallons of water, then consider ordering a polyethylene or corrugated steel tank.
But if you need a high-quality water storage tank that will last for decades, then your best options are either a steel-welded standpipe or reservoir.
To learn more about your steel-welded water tank options, contact T BAILEY INC. today.
Are you wondering about the best way to store water for your home or farm? There are many different types of water tanks for household use, and they can be an ideal solution to homes in drought-prone areas. With so many uses for water, both potable and non-potable, there need to be many ways to store it as well. Water storage has existed since the dawn of civilization itself and has continued to improve as sanitation procedures developed. Some water storage solutions—such as old cisterns—still exist to this day, hidden underneath metropolises and the daily humdrum of traffic.
Where underground cisterns once ruled, we now have mighty water tanks crafted from hardy materials we never thought possible. Learn about the different types of water tanks that we still use today and their uses to consider which best fits your needs.
Underground Water Tanks
Many water tanks work best underground, where they take up the least amount of space. If you live in a rural area without a sewer system, you’re likely familiar with septic tanks and underground water storage. These are forms of water tanks, though septic tanks typically handle wastewater.
Reservoirs and Cisterns
Reservoirs and cisterns designed for holding potable drinking water or rainwater are typically constructed from plastic, fiberglass, or concrete. These are different than naturally occurring reservoirs found in the Earth because they are man-made, and the user must install them. Cisterns are different than well water because they provide an area for water storage before usage, whereas well water draws directly from the aquifer. This means that water may undergo purification before entering a secure cistern or underground reservoir.
Septic Systems
Septic tanks, while related, typically only have one use—to capture and release wastewater to the leach field for purification. Some households may have a special system to separate, capture, and reuse gray water or wastewater without the contaminants from toilets.
Types of Above-Ground Water Tanks
When you need a water tank for heavy industry use, you may not have the ability to store water underground due to the location or local laws. If your water may contain contaminants, storing it above ground is essential. Some above-ground water storage solutions are:
Small Rainwater Storage Tanks for Household Use
Typically made of steel or plastic, above-ground rainwater storage tanks work just the same as underground tanks, though they require less work. Their installation and initial cost may be easier on a homeowner’s budget than an underground tank. After capturing rainwater, homeowners may use it around the outside of the home for lawn care.
Large Industrial Bolted Steel Water Tanks
For industries or cities that require a large amount of water, a bolted steel water tank is the answer. These tanks hold massive amounts of water for use in commercial, industrial, or municipal needs. In smaller cities and towns, these steel water tanks rise high above the nearby buildings with the name or logo of the location printed proudly on them.
Medium Water Tanks
If a business needs water storage but not enough to warrant a large steel tank, they may invest in a medium-sized fiberglass or polyethylene tank. These multipurpose tanks work well for contaminated water or even chemicals.
With all the different types of water tanks, it’s important to remember that the slightest corrosion or damage can cause costly consequences. Protect the interior of your household or industrial water tank with a PVC tank liner from Royal Liner, and it’ll last longer than its standard lifespan. Contact us to learn more about the different types of water tanks.