What You Should Factor in When Buying a Water Tank
Water tanks are useful for people whose properties do not have running water or for people that can access running water but wish to remain prepared in case the water supply gets cut for whatever reason. Also, people buy water tanks to reduce the amount of money they spend on water bills. Regardless of the reason you may require a water tank, here are some considerations to make before purchasing one.
First consider what the water will be used for. Water storage is generally used for four things i.e. irrigation, firewater, stock water and household use. The uses of stored water help determine where the tank will be placed on the property, how much water is required to be stored and how often the tank will be filled. If using the water for irrigation, ensure that it is low in salt and the tank has sufficient volume at any given moment so that the pump for the irrigation system can run properly. If the purpose of the tank is to store stock water, place it on the highest point within the property so that in case you experience power failure, water can flow via gravity.
The next thing is to figure out how much water you will need to use on the property averagely. Determine how much water you will be using annually, weekly, and daily. If you intend to use the tank for domestic water needs and your primary source of water is rainfall, harvest as much water as you can during the rainy season using your roof’s catchment. If the tank’s core purpose is storing stock water, then ensure that it has sufficient volume at all times to meet the animals’ daily requirements while providing a buffer in case supply breaks down.
Consider where you want the tank to be installed on your property. The position of your tank is very critical in determining its maintenance and functionality. Always insist on installing the tank on the highest point of your property to allow water to flow using gravity even during times when the pump is broken or there is a power outage. This is particularly useful if the water’s sole purpose is firefighting. This also works for stock watering systems as gravity ensures the water troughs are always full without using pumps or power. Another aspect of tank location is whether vehicles will be required to access the tank for filling, maintenance or emptying. This is an important consideration particularly for farm vehicles such as boom sprayers or fire appliances.