Water tank education and training is important if you are a manufacturer of water storage equipment or if you use water storage tanks in your business. You can use ground water tanks or elevated tanks to store water for industrial or domestic applications. Training on water tanks can be helpful for tank suppliers to better understand the design and manufacturing of water tanks.

If you want to use water storage tanks, you will also need to learn about techniques to preserve a clean and disinfected water tank. Education and training will provide you with technical knowledge on the operation and maintenance of water storage equipment.

To gain technical knowledge and training on water storage tanks, you can:

1. Search for institutions that offer water tank education and training courses
2. Seek an expert’s advice on water storage equipment
3. Join associations for water tank manufacturers
4. Understand safety standards for water tanks
5. Read through journals and magazines that publish useful information on the water tanks industry

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the standards for water tanks

Several organizations issue standards and codes that you will need to follow while designing and manufacturing water tanks. If you are a water tank manufacturer, you must make sure that your products are compliant with these standards. Some institutions also offer training courses on these standards.

I recommend: At American Water Works Association, you can learn about the design specifications for water tank manufacturers. You can buy standards for the design of water storage equipment at International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Additionally, you can attend courses offered by Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/ SPFA) to understand the design and safety standards for water storage equipment.

Find magazines and technical journals that provide information on water tanks

You can keep yourself updated by reading technical articles and magazines related to water tanks. Education and training information found in these articles can help you to resolve water management issues.

I recommend: You can subscribe to newsletters at IDS Water, an information resource for water storage and management issues. At InspectAPedia, you can find useful articles on water tank operations and their repair procedures. You can also find articles on cleaning and disinfecting water storage tanks by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Interact with experts in the field of water tank technology

If you have a problem with your water storage tank or if you want to know which water tank suits your requirements, you can seek advice from experts who have been in the field of water tanks education and training for many years.

I recommend: Tank Industry Consultants provides expert solutions for the design and maintenance of water storage facilities. Additionally, Tank Engineering and Management Consultants provides advisory services for owners and operators of water storage tanks.

A water tank is used to store water in a variety of applications, including wastewater, fire fighting, agricultural irrigation, drinking water and livestock water supplies. Typically, water tanks are installed outdoors and must be constructed of a durable material capable of tolerating extreme weather conditions.

Water tanks range in capacity from several gallons to thousands of gallons. Many times, water tanks can be interconnected for additional storage. When purchasing a water tank, consider the following:

1. Use plastic water tanks for storing freshwater.

2. Purchase a traditional steel water tank for an affordable, durable water storage option.

3. Install a fiberglass water tank for underground storage.

4. Contract a custom water tank manufacturer when implementing a complex water storage design.

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Purchase a plastic water tank

Plastic water tanks are often constructed of polyethylene and are used to store water for commercial, residential, agricultural irrigation, wastewater and fire fighting applications. Because they're molded, plastic water tanks are one piece and seamless. Plastic water tanks should be a dark opaque color to prevent natural growth of algae and bacteria.

I recommend: Order a freshwater polyethylene storage tank from American Tank Company. The water tank provider offers UV-stabilized, black opaque tanks that stand up to harsh environmental conditions. Browse the company's water tank list for a variety of sizes. Bailiff Enterprises offers plastic water storage tanks ranging in size from eight gallons to 12,000 gallons. The company's water tanks are available in a variety of colors.

Get low-maintenance durability with a steel water tank

Most traditional water tanks are constructed from steel. These tanks are ideal for storing water because their construction material is corrosion and rust resistant. Steel tanks tend to be one of the least expensive options during the construction and installation phases, as well as on-going maintenance. Steel water tanks have a lifespan of several decades when properly maintained.

I recommend: Buy a cylindrical, sectional steel tank for cold water storage at CST Industries. These tanks are modular and can be easily assembled with limited installation knowledge. Purchase an elevated steel water tank from Pittsburg Tank & Tower. The tank manufacturer offers a leasing program for municipal and industrial customers.

Order a fiberglass water tank

Fiberglass water tanks are an excellent choice for underground water storage. Fiberglass is corrosion and rust resistance and requires little maintenance. These tanks are ideal for long-term storage of potable water, fire-protection water, emergency supply water, gray water, rainwater, storm water and irrigation water.

I recommend: Purchase a Xerxes fiberglass water tank for long-term water storage. Find water tank information on the company's website. Darco offers underground fiberglass water tanks ranging in size from 10,000 gallons to 75,000 gallons. The company's tanks can be interconnected for additional storage.

Find custom water tank manufacturers

Custom water tank manufacturers fabricate tank shapes and sizes that aren't typically available, as well as customize standard tanks to your specifications. Ordering water tanks from a custom manufacturer is also recommended if your storage system requires several interlocking tanks. In addition to fabricating the tanks, a custom manufacturer's design team can engineer a storage system that works best for your application.

I recommend: Order a custom water tank from BH Tank. The custom manufacturer specializes in stainless steel designs. Interstate Products offers custom portable water tanks for potable and gray water storage. The company provides expert on-site installation. For additional custom water tank manufacturers, see the Industrial Quick Search water tank directory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When a concrete or smooth surface isn't an option for a portable or modular water tank's installation, a ground mat provides the perfect assembly site.

A water tank is a good solution for businesses that need a large amount of water, but have no natural source available. Water tanks come in a wide range of sizes to fit any need. Many water tanks are equipped to hold many types of non-hazardous liquids, such as food grade liquids, as long as the proper interior coating is used. A water tank provider can assist with sizing and installation needs for the models of tanks they carry.

Find water tank information for your installation and maintenance needs. There are many sources for this information. These sources include:

1. Installation instructions from the manufacturer of the tank;

2. Water tank installation and maintenance services;

3. Guides for water storage tank maintenance procedures.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider information from a water tank directory of installation instructions

Water tanks can be installed underground or above ground. Water tanks are installed underground for many smaller residential applications. It is important to know the specifics for the area where a water tank can be successfully installed. This will help prevent damage to the surrounding environment as well as any potential damage to the water tank.

I recommend: Chem-Tainer Industries provides detailed installation procedures for underground water and septic tank installation. Darco Underground Tankage provides a brief overview of the installation procedure for a polyethylene underground water storage tank.

Find water tank services for installation and maintenance

Many companies hire professionals for installation and maintenance services on water tanks. This ensures that the installation is done correctly. It also ensures that maintenance checks will be provided on a regular basis and problems will be spotted quickly to prevent contamination, leakage and any other problems that occur. Even though the tank stores water, part of the maintenance routine should also be occasional cleaning.

I recommend: TMI Coatings provides a list of common services available for water tank maintenance. Tank Connection provides information on tank and foundation installation services.

Refer to a water tank list of maintenance instructions for common solutions

Regular maintenance inspections should be performed on water tanks. This helps to quickly spot and fix any problems that occur. Common maintenance problems for water tanks include leaks, damage to interior and exterior coatings and contamination due to an underground installation. There are many techniques used to fix these problems, depending on the size of the tank and where it is installed.

I recommend: Wastewater Distance Learning at Mountain Empire Community College provides information on inspection and maintenance practices for water tanks. Ultimate Washer provides tips on cleaning water and other types of storage tanks with power wash techniques.