Storage tanks are an incredibly flexible tool that are used in a wide variety of businesses and projects. Every project is going to be different, and we recognize that every client is going to have different needs. We know that it can be overwhelming to see hundreds of different tanks and wonder which one is right for you. That’s why we’re here to give you the scoop on what you should look for depending on the industry (or home project) you are using your tank for.
Potable Water Storage
One of the most common uses for a storage tank is potable water storage. Obviously, the size of the tank will depend on the circumstances of your project. If you are just getting a tank for your family of 4, you probably won’t need as big of a tank as a city looking for municipal water storage. Our potable water tanks hold anywhere from 700 to 3-million gallons of water.
The most important aspect of potable water storage is keeping the water safe to drink. That’s why you need a liner that will prevent the water from ever touching the metal of the tank (otherwise you risk metals and rust getting into the water).
Fire Protection Tanks
With firefighting services stretched extremely thin in many parts of the U.S., having a fire protection system in place is really important. Storage tanks are actually a great fire protection mechanism. They can be used to store water for sprinkler systems or can be designed so that firefighters can connect their hose right to the tank to start putting out fires immediately. How big the tank needs to be will vary, which is why we offer tanks holding between 700 to 3-million gallons.
In terms of what factors to look for, fire protection tanks need to be built to last. That’s why we recommend a corrugated bolted steel tank. The bolted steel holds up in even the most extreme weather conditions (earthquakes, snowstorms, hurricane winds), and lasts for many years. You also will want to find a tank that has an Anti-Vortex Assembly, as that controls the water flow when firefighting services hook up a hose to the tank. Lastly, you will want to make sure that your tank design complies with NFPA 22 and NSF 61 safety standards.
Wastewater Tanks
A lot of industries (especially the food and wine industry) will produce gallons and gallons of wastewater. The EPA has very strict regulations on how wastewater must be treated before being released back into aquifers or other water supplies. So you not only need a tank that is sturdy and won’t leak, but you also need a tank designed with a treatment system in place.
Since the water is going to be dirty, it is likely going to have all sorts of chemicals and bacteria when first being put into the tank. That is why you need an extra-strong liner to prevent the chemicals and bacteria from corroding the liner. We recommend either an XR-3 or XR-5 liner for this reason.
Rainwater Harvesting
One recent trend in the water conservation world is rainwater harvesting. In simple terms, this is the process of collecting rainwater and saving it in order to use it in the future. Rainwater harvesting isn’t just for businesses, even homeowners can utilize rainwater to save some money.
The thing with rainwater harvesting is it isn’t only about the tank. You need a proper conveyance system (usually gutters) to carry the water without letting it touch the ground (otherwise it becomes stormwater, although we have options for that too). In terms of the size of the tank, it obviously depends on how much rainfall you have. We like to use the following formula to give clients an idea of how much rainwater needs to be stored:
1 inch of rain on 1000 square feet of the roof can produce up to 600 gallons of water. That means if you have 2000 square feet of roof with 10 inches of annual rainfall would lead to 12,000 gallons of water. You can use this to get a general idea of how much water you will need to be stored based on the annual rainfall near you.
Mining and Fracking
Storage tanks have a wide variety of uses when it comes to the mining and fracking industry. Whether you need to store fracking fluid, wastewater, petroleum products, drilling mud, etc. There is a tank for every purpose.
We offer temporary storage tanks specifically designed to hold large amounts of the “settling” liquid that needs to be held until it could be properly disposed of. Once again we offer specialty liners that can handle all of the caustic substances present in the waste from these processes. Because we’re talking a lot of water in many mining and oil and gas operations, most of our temporary storage tanks can hold up to 4 million gallons of liquid.
Agriculture and Irrigation
Water is a huge aspect of the agricultural industry. You’ll need storage tanks to hold a consistent water supply and will also need storage for wastewater and runoff.
Often times you may need to move your storage tank from field to field to water your livestock or different crops. Our temporary storage tanks are great for this purpose. We also offer easy install options that can be set up by one or two people without the need for a crane or big machinery.
No matter what your specific needs are, our bolted steel tanks will do the job. With perfectly crafted panels, custom roof styles, and manufacturing processes with sustainability in mind, our tanks are the best in the business. To learn more about what we offer or talk to us about any of your storage needs, call us at (844) 732-4411 or Click Here to email us. We look forward to hearing from you.
