How to Choose the Best Water Storage Tank for Your Commercial Facility
Many production companies, mining operations and other such commercial facilities will invest in water storage tanks, as rainwater can be used to create slurries used in mines or for certain production mixes and for cleaning heavy-duty machinery and equipment. Collecting rainwater will then reduce your water costs and ensure you have a supply of needed water, even if your area experiences a drought or interruption of water supplies for any reason. Note a few tips on choosing a water storage tank for a commercial facility so you end up with one that works for your needs in particular.
Material
If you're choosing an above-ground tank, consider how the tank might get warm when exposed to lots of direct sunlight. Metal tanks especially can get very hot and, in turn, allow the water inside to get overly warm. This warmth can encourage the growth of algae and other contaminants along the water's surface. Blue plastic tanks and concrete tanks don't hold or conduct heat, so they are cooler to the touch and can help keep the water inside at a lower temperature, preventing the growth of bacteria, algae and the like.
When choosing a below-ground tank, note that concrete can be poured into any shape and size, so you can have a concrete tank poured around obstacles on your lot. This might mean having a bigger tank than a standard plastic or metal variety. However, concrete is very porous and will absorb moisture from the ground around it, leading to eventual cracks and leaks. An underground plastic or steel tank may then be more durable and will require less patching and fewer repairs overall.
Size
When deciding on the size of water tanks, consider the amount of water you'll need to harvest from the tank every week or every month; however, you also need to consider the average rainfall in your area. It's good to invest in a large tank that holds all the water you'll need every week or month, but if your area doesn't see enough rainfall to refill the tank in that time, you may wind up investing in an overly large tank that is always half-empty. Note how much rain your area sees every week or month, and invest in a tank that will hold that amount instead of just buying one that holds the amount of water you'll need to harvest from the tank on a regular basis.