How Much Water Do I Need To Store in My Water Tank?

We all know that water is one of the most essential resources for human survival. Whether you are preparing for a camping trip, maintaining your garden or ensuring you have enough supply for daily needs, understanding how much water you need to store in your water storage tanks is important. Let’s take a look at the factors that influence your water storage requirements.

 

Things to Consider

When working out how much water you need to store, the first thing to consider is what you want the water for. Below you can find a few examples of what water can be used for.

 

1. Household Use:  

Water plays an important part of cooking, cleaning and sanitation. A comprehensive guideline suggests that storing three gallons (11.4 litres) per person, per day will cover these needs. For this you will need a WRAS approved potable water tank.

 

2. Gardening:

If it’s rainwater you require then you will need a rainwater harvesting system or tank. The simplest way to work out how much rainwater you need to store for gardening is taking the average usage per day. For example, if it takes you 3 watering cans, a typical watering can is 5 litres, so the daily usage would be 3 watering cans X 5 litres which is 15 litres per day.

 

Duration of Storage

1. Rainwater:

For gardening purposes, multiply your daily usage by the days without rain you are preparing for and that will give you the amount you need to store over that period. The minimum recommended amount is a three-day supply, but to be more prepared, aim for a three week supply. Water should be rotated regularly to ensure freshness; it is recommended to replace stored water every 6 months.

 

2. Drinking Water:

The longevity of water in a potable storage tank depends significantly on how it's stored. To maintain water quality, it's essential to start with a clean tank, securely seal it to block out contaminants and light, and place it in a cool, dark environment. Furthermore, water should not remain stagnant; ensuring constant movement within the tank can prevent this, which is often achieved by selecting the right tank size and design to match usage needs. According to the governing body the Water Inspection Directorate you should at the bare minimum check your water every year and ideally every 6-months.

 

Useful Tips:

1. Rainwater Tanks:

• When it comes to rainwater harvesting tanks, you should consider the amount of rainfall that you are going to have. For example, if you live in a very arid area with an average rainfall of 400mm, you will need a much larger potable water tank than somewhere that gets 1000mm.
• You also need to take the roof area size into consideration, This will affect how much water can be collected, and determine whether you will need an extra water supply - or more tanks!
• Make sure you store water away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent bacterial growth and degradation of the tanks. If you can, it is also a good idea to keep tanks elevated to avoid contamination from the floor.

 

2. Potable Water Tanks:

• Contamination is a critical concern, typically evidenced by the presence of bacteria or algae, which can manifest as discoloration, odours, or visible particles in the water.
• Using inappropriate containers for water storage can accelerate contamination, as materials unsuitable for water contact may leach harmful substances.
• Regular inspection of the water and the storage environment is necessary to detect signs of contamination, such as strange smells or murkiness.
• By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure your water storage remains safe and clean, thus protecting the health and well-being of those who rely on it.

 

Choosing The Right Storage Tank

Now the planning side is sorted, it’s time for you to choose the right water storage tanks for your needs and requirements. Water tanks come in a variety of capacities from a mere 150L to a vast 30,000L. At Tanks “R” Us, we have an array of different tanks, including;

• Horizontal static tanks
• Horizontal transport tanks
• Open top water tanks
• Slimline water tanks
• Underground water tanks
• Cone water tanks
• WRAS approved potable water
• Rainwater non potable harvesting tanks.

Whether you are looking for an upgrade or starting your recycling rainwater journey, we have everything you might need for efficient and secure storage.