A water tank can be used by businesses, especially in farming, or at home. They are largely used to collect and store rainwater. This can then be used for gardening, including watering lawns, and washing cars, as well as for livestock drinking water.
Collecting rainwater has lots of advantages. It can save money on your water bill, it can be better for plants (as it doesn’t contain any chemicals) and can help prevent soil erosion, by diverting heavy rain away from the ground.
Water tanks can also be used to collect grey water, which is domestic wastewater, such as water from the shower or washing machine. This water may contain a low level of contaminants but is still useful for non-drinking purposes. Grey water is very good for washing cars and watering plants, as it reuses water and minimises overall consumption of water, in the interests of both the environment and your bills!
Commercial premises, like factories and warehouses, may also install water tanks for emergency use to supplement their fire sprinkler systems.
Water storage tanks can be above ground or underground. But which is best?
There are a range of factors to consider.
Above ground water tanks
Above ground water tanks are the most popular choice and they have a range of advantages.
Above ground water tanks stocked by Tanks for Everything are actually a versatile storage solution for all liquids, not just water. Many of them are suitable for the safe storage of potable (drinking) water. They are available in a range of sizes right up to 25,000 litres. Larger tanks can be used as a back-up water supply for the fire service in remote locations.
One of the main advantages of an above ground water tanks it that it is much cheaper and easier to install than an underground tank, with no digging or underground plumbing required.
Above ground tanks will require more maintenance than underground tanks, due to exposure to the elements. But any cracks or damage are much easier to spot, and the tanks are much easier to access, repair and maintain than underground tanks.
Above ground water tanks can easily be relocated around a site. You can even take them with you when you move house or to a new business premises, because they don’t need to be connected to any underground systems.
A disadvantage of above ground tanks is that they are more susceptible to damage. If the water inside the tank freezes, it will expand and could crack the exterior of the tank. If it is likely to freeze, you will either need to insulate your tank, which will add to the cost, or not use it during the coldest winter months.
Water tanks aren’t the most attractive things! Even though they are manufactured in neutral colours which are designed to blend in, it’s hard to hide a large water tank. You might not want to look at it every time you look out the window. If your garden or business premises is quite small, it will also take up valuable space which could be used for something else, such as car parking or a lawn or flowerbed.
When installing an above ground water tank, you may end up spending more money on some sort of fencing or screening to hide the water tank from view.
Underground water tanks
Underground water tanks aren’t suitable for storing drinking water. They are specifically used to collect rainwater and store it below the ground. Tanks for Everything stocks underground water tanks from 900 to 10,000 litres.
One of the big advantages of underground water tanks is they are much more aesthetically pleasing than above ground tanks, because they are completely hidden! They are also a good choice if you only have a small garden or a small yard for your business, as they don’t take up any of your limited, valuable space.
Underground water storage tanks maintain a constant temperature over the course of the year, with the ground above the tank protecting the water from getting either too hot or too cold. This means there are no worries about the water freezing and causing your tank to crack.
Because they are not exposed to the weather, underground tanks need less maintenance than above ground tanks. But when they require maintenance, it is much more complicated and time-consuming to access the tank to carry out the maintenance.
The big disadvantages of an underground water storage tank are that it is far more expensive and difficult to install. To install a tank, you will need professional installation and the help of a contractor to dig a suitably sized hold in the ground, which will then need to be filled once the tank is in place. Underground plumbing also needs to be attached to the tank to ensure it receives the rainwater. The price of installation will vary depending on the size of your tank, the composition of the ground and the location of the tank.
You may find that your soil isn’t suitable for an underground water tank, such as soil with a high clay content. In that case, an above ground water storage tank would be your only option.
There are advantages and disadvantages of both underground and above ground water tanks, with no right or wrong answer. When deciding which to install for your home or business, it is important to take into account your budget, the space you have available and the intended use of the water, before you make a decision.
