A water storage tank is essentially a container that is used for safely storing water either above the ground or underground.It could be used for multiple purposes ranging from storing drinking water to harvesting rain water.Water tanks hold water in a secure environment,thus minimizing the chance of contamination.
These might be used in residential systems to as a solution to water problems that are inherent to urban areas or low-rainfall regions.They can also be used for commercial applications to ensure an undisrupted supply of water.The industrial sector uses this for large scale water storage,as water is an important component in several industrial processes.Thus,it is evident that there are widespread applications of a water storage tank.
These are available in a choice of materials,with the most common ones being a fiberglass tank and steel tank.While steel was the conventional material for it,fiberglass today is the preferred option because it is rust proof and requires very low maintenance.A fiberglass tank is considered to be very environment friendly and lasts almost as long as a steel tank.
Here is an overview of the types of water storage tanks and their uses:
Aboveground:These are located above the ground and are usually found at places where underground installation is not feasible.Aboveground are further divided into commercial and residential tanks based on their usage.The capacities of these could range from a few hundred gallons to thousands of gallons.
Underground:These are installed under the ground and are found in applications such as rainwater harvesting,wastewater treatment,storm water collection,and even storage of potable water.The installation of it should always be carried out by a professionally certified firm,as there are several rules governing the installation of it.
These are the two main categories of tanks that are used all across the world.These categories are further classified based on their applications.The best available in the market are the ones without seams.Seamless tanks do not crack at the seams,thus minimizing the chances of leakage and contamination.
When investing in such tanks,it is vital to look for industry standards set down by AWWA,NFPA,NSF,and IAPMO.The quality standards of a water storage tank are different from that of a fuel storage.It should also comply with the prevailing FDA regulations especially if it is being used for storing potable water.
A water storage tank is available in a variety of shapes and sizes.While most tanks are installed in a horizontal fashion,there are select vertical installation models that are available as well.