How To Install a Water Storage Tank

Water storage tanks come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit a variety of needs, but they all have one basic purpose. That basic purpose extends its value to wherever water is needed: drinking supplies, building maintenance, home cleaning, lawn irrigation, fire suppression, beer brewing, and beverage preparation, to name a few. Wherever water is needed, a storage tank is sure to come in handy

Even if your property is supplied by a well or municipal water system, storage tanks can still help harvest rainwater and save you money on your utility bills. They can be used as mini reservoirs to deliver a steady water source for swimming pools, gardens, and household appliances.

What’s also nice is that, depending on the type of tank, you may be able to install it yourself. Rainwater harvesters, for example, rely on little more than gravity to supply tanks and are not very difficult to install. Pressurized well systems, however, are more complicated and should probably be left to an expert. In deciding which tank is best for your needs, it’s still good to have an overview of the task at hand.

Aboveground or Underground: Pros and Cons

Before you decide on a tank you should decide whether you want to install it above or below ground. For aboveground tanks there are a few advantages:

• Cheaper to install – Tanks installed aboveground are a lot cheaper and easier to install than underground tanks. There’s no need to reinforce the tank or excavate the land around it, as you would have to with an underground tank, and you don’t have to worry about leveling the backfill so that it holds the tank in the right place.
• Easier to maintain – Compared to underground tanks, aboveground tanks are easier to monitor for scratches and breaches. They’re also much easier to fix, since there’s no need to dig down to the source of a leak. That said, aboveground tanks are more vulnerable to extreme weather that could create cracks or holes—not to mention theft or vandalism.

Underground tanks also have their advantages. They make better use of space, hold steadier temperatures, and are more secure.

• Smart use of space – Tanks buried below ground are better concealed and, in some cases, provide more room for aboveground development, like lawns, roads, and access shelters. Even if the tank is only partially buried it can dramatically improve views and save space for other structures and equipment.
• Steadier temperatures – Underground tanks are less vulnerable to ambient temperature swings. Thus, they hold more even and consistent temperatures. In warm climates, underground tanks can also keep temperatures cooler, which in turn help limit microbial growth.
• More secure – Because underground tanks are buried out of sight, they’re generally safe from extreme wind and weather than can cause cracks and leaks. They’re also safe from theft or vandalism for the same reason. However, underground tanks are difficult and expensive to install, as owners will have to dig a large hole and, in some cases, reinforce the tank to protect it from ground shift.

How To Install a Water Storage Tank

There are many kinds of water storage tanks, from reverse osmosis systems to rain harvesters. Some water tanks run lines to a home plumbing system, while others merely hold water for use in an emergency. Installing a tank depends, first and foremost, on how the system is going to be used, including any pressure pump or irrigation connections that may be used to get water in and out of the tank. Here we will cover the most basic steps for installing the most common types of water storage tanks.

1.) Build a Base or Foundation

Regardless of the kind of tank that you’re installing, you’re going to need a flat and level base for the tank to stand on. Most people use concrete for the foundation, but some opt for the more affordable method of spreading a thick layer of compacted construction material. The point is to create an even surface that is wider than the tank itself. You also want to make sure the base is not too craggy or jagged, such that it may puncture or destabilize the tank. (Most regulations require the base to be at least two feet larger in diameter than the tank itself.) It’s also a good idea to build retaining wall to prevent the foundation from eroding or shifting over time, and, if you’re using compacted material, to prevent debris from spilling out.

If you are installing an underground tank, you will first need to excavate the area before building a foundation. The hole will need to be larger than the foundation. Most experts recommend a footprint that is at least a foot-and-a-half wider than the tank. Similarly, you will want a depth that provides at least a half-foot of ground above the tank. As for the underground foundation, you can use concrete, sand, soil, or gravel bedding—just so long as it is compacted and level.

2.) Install Overflow Drainage (for rain harvesting)

If you’re installing a water harvester, you’ll need an overflow spout. Some tanks come with an overflow assembly already installed; others may require you or a technician to install one. Fortunately, it’s not a super complicated project. The installer only needs to drill a hole; attach a gasket and, if necessary, a filter; and then drill some screws in place to secure the fixture. This will make sure that any excess water a) has a place to escape to, and b) does not erode the concrete foundation due to overflow water dripping on it.

3.) Connect to a Water Source

If the water source for the tank is a well, you’ll need a pressure tank to direct the well water to the storage tank. Getting this network of pipes and fittings level and properly pressurized is a challenge and should be handled by a plumber or contractor with the right expertise. If you have any doubt about your capabilities, you should hire a pro.

If the water tank is intended for harvesting rainwater, then you’ll need some sort of rain catcher of drainage system to direct the rain to the tank. In most cases this is just a roof gutter system with a downspout and some fill piping that runs to the tank’s inlet. This is typically called a “dry” delivery system. A “wet” delivery system is a bit more complicated and is often used when the storage tank is far from a collection source like a gutter downspout. These systems direct harvested rainwater through underground pipes and rely on gravity and pressure to direct the water up into the tank inlet. Wet systems are generally more secure, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing since much of the piping is buried underground.

Whether wet, dry, or collected from a well, your storage tank is going to need filters. If the water is only being used for irrigation purposes then you only need to keep out hard matter and leaf debris, but if you intend to use the harvester for drinking water then you’ll need a more sophisticated filtration system. That, too, may require the help of a professional.

If your tank is being placed underground, you will need to install risers to elevate the inlet and gaskets to an aboveground access point. This is where water directed from a well or collection source will be directed. Once the risers are attached you can fill in the excavated land with backfill. As storage tanks are vulnerable to warping under pressure, the hole must be filled in evenly and in layers of compacted material. This is another complicated step that may require a professional.

4.) Install Pressure System (for Well Water Systems)

Any sort of pressurized plumbing system will require extra hardware. In most cases, you will need, at the very least, a check valve, a pressure tank, a relief valve, a pressure switch, and a boiler drain. These tools help regulate the amount of pressure applied to the water line that runs from the well (or other source) to the storage tank inlet. Pressure systems are complicated as is, and those fixed to underground water storage tanks will only require greater professional expertise to install.

Where to Find a Water Storage Tank

Whether you’re looking for above- or below-ground tanks, a pressurized well system or a rain harvester with a wet delivery assembly, Go to Tanks has a variety of designs to suit your needs. Our tanks are made from a resilient polyethylene plastic and come in several colors and sizes.

Call 1-877-468-2657 and we’ll help you find a tank suited for any water storage system you have in mind.