What Is a Water Storage Tank?
A water storage tank, as the name implies, is a facility designed to store water. When used for holding tap water, it is often referred to as a receiving tank.
Typically, tanks are located underground or on the first floor of buildings where water is extensively used.
In standard households, water is accessible directly from the tap. However, facilities that consume large amounts of water simultaneously, or buildings with three or more floors, such as condominiums, often require water storage tanks. This is because the direct water supply from pipes may be inadequate.
Uses of Water Storage Tanks
Water storage tanks are primarily used for storing drinking water and for other daily water supply needs.
They also serve in supplying water for various industrial purposes to factories and businesses and as fire prevention water tanks in firefighting systems.
Water storage tanks are broadly categorized into receiving tanks (for tap water), high-set tanks (for rooftop installation), and pressure tanks that are connected to water supply pumps, based on their use, installation location, and method of water supply.
Principle of Water Storage Tanks
These tanks are constructed from materials such as concrete, stainless steel, or Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP).
A crucial requirement for water storage tanks is adequate volume, approximately half the daily usage. Their seismic resilience is also vital to withstand earthquakes and prevent damage or collapse.
Moreover, high-set water tanks are designed to supply water from a receiving tank to a rooftop tank using a pump. The water is then distributed to each floor, utilizing the pressure generated by the elevation difference.
The maintenance of water storage tanks, crucial for drinking and domestic use, is the responsibility of the building administrator. These tanks must be cleaned at least once a year to ensure sanitary conditions.
Building managers are required to annually inspect the sanitary conditions of water supply facilities, mainly focusing on the water storage tanks and associated pumps, to prevent any issues.
Recently, to avoid water supply disruptions during cleaning or repairs, many buildings have adopted a two-tank system with a bulkhead for construction or multiple interconnected water storage tanks.