How Water Tanks Are Used

If you have lived or driven through a smaller town, you have likely seen a large water storage tank. These exist in larger towns as well, but generally are more visible in rural areas. Water tanks can provide a great benefit to towns and cities, storing water for emergencies or use by the residents, usually drinking water. However, other tanks are specifically for irrigation and agricultural use, or to use in firefighting emergencies. There are hundreds of uses for this stored water, and water tanks of some form have been around for a very long time.

Water tanks are composed of different materials including plastic such as polyethylene and polypropylene, steel or stone as well as concrete and fiberglass. Stainless steel is rust resistant and is often used. Also, some water tanks are used for chemicals to be mixed in with the water to produce clean and purified water. These are called chemical contact tanks and give the water enough time to be purified by the chemicals. Sometimes, ponds made of earth are used for water storage as well, also called tanks.

There are three main types of water tanks. The elevated tanks, or sometimes called water towers that you see high in the sky. Water tower design varies based on many factors including the location of the tank, and the amount of water that it will need to contain, as well as which materials are creating it, and how much pressure it can withstand. Also, the temperature is a factor, and the delivery method can affect how the tank is built. Also some tanks need to allow for earthquakes and windstorms, and may be specially built for that.
Ground water tanks are usually made of lined steel and get their water from a well or from the surface water. This allows the water to be collected and saved for when it is needed most. This is what is intended with the aforementioned ponds that collect water in the ground. NSF International is the organization that creates standards for water, air and consumer goods that are eaten or drank by human beings. The Food and Drug Adminstration, or FDA, sets standards for the materials used in food and water storage.
A third type of water storage tanks exist, although they are only quantified by their personal use. These are the rainwater tanks and water collection barrels that people often use to collect rainwater and to store water for later use. Not only can this save you a great deal of money by reducing your water bills, but it can get you prepared for emergencies such as a water pollution threat or in the case of a drought. This is why many purchase water storage tanks and purify water for drinking and other household uses.