In this Poly Tanks Series, we will take a deep dive into the emergency water tank type, specifications, certifications, install locations, water storage durations, and on-hand volume recommendations for survival and emergency preparedness.
What is An Emergency Water Tank?
An emergency water tank is a storage container designed exclusively to hold reserve water so it is available for use in disaster type, emergency scenarios. The emergency water tank is a larger sized container capable of stockpiling more water and in less space compared to gallon jugs or packages of plastic water bottles. These containers can be used to store water for use in drinking, cooking, and cleaning necessary for survival.
Emergency water tanks are often used by families and property owners. The tanks are made to keep enough water on hand to provide a family or several families with water for many days to a few weeks. They are ideal for individuals looking to prepare for potential future disaster situations when the normal source of water, such as municipal water, is no longer available or has been contaminated.
Use an emergency water tank to keep water for survival when any disaster cuts access to clean, readily available drinking water. Examples of such disasters include contamination of public water supply by disease causing pathogens, harmful chemicals or materials, and natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, extreme drought, winter storms, and any other event that could cause wide scale, long term failure to the public infrastructure water supply and electrical power grid.
Emergency Water Tank Specifications
Emergency water tanks are used to reserve drinkable (potable grade) water for use in disaster preparation and survival situations and should be used exclusively for water storage. Emergency water tanks are available in select volumes that range from 100 gallons up to 500 gallons of water storage. This size range makes the tank easier to move, put in place, and keep on personal property such as within sheds, garages and basements.
Standards and Certifications
Emergency water storage tanks are certified approved for keeping a ready supply of potable water for drinking during emergencies. The tanks are manufactured from polyethylene plastic. The plastic used is approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and is BPA free, virgin grade polyethylene. Emergency water tanks meet the design requirements of Title 21 CFR 177.1520 and ANSI/NSF Standard 61 quality requirements. This means emergency water tanks are guaranteed safe for use with drinking water, can store water long term, and are safe to drink from.
Manufacturing and Design Points
Emergency water tanks include UV inhibitor compounds. The UV inhibitors protect the tank from sunlight damage when the tank is kept outdoors. Emergency water tanks are rotationally molded to create seamless, lightweight tanks that resist impact, rust, and corrosion. These points mean the tanks are good for extended use and have a reliable long service life.
Emergency water tanks are opaque in design. Most emergency tanks are freshwater blue in color to indicate a safe drinking water source. Opaque tanks limit the amount of sunlight that can pass through and reach the stored water. Algae can only grow in a storage tank if sunlight reaches the water. If sunlight is blocked, no algae will grow.
Inlet and Outlet Options
Two main style options are available for emergency water tanks: standard and extra spigot. Emergency water tanks that feature an extra spigot tap valve are more valuable because they are easier to access the stored water reserves during times of use.
The additional tap is positioned high enough on the tank to allow filling of 5 gallon buckets. Emergency water tanks may feature up to two 3/4″ fitting valves that function as both the water outlet and inlet. This may vary by manufacturer and where the tank is purchased.
Emergency water tanks feature a twist-tighten manway lid with a built-in vent design. Manway lids are sized from 8 inches to 16 inches and can be used to add water to the tank, clean the tank interior, or add water treatment.
Water for storage is primarily added to emergency water tanks through one of the outlet fittings located near the bottom of the tank. The 3/4″ outlet is a common size for garden style hoses and allows the water tank to be connected to a municipal tap for filling.
Note, if filling an emergency water tank using the spigot valve and a hose, use a potable water hose, not a garden hose. Potable water hoses are often white in color and are certified for handling drinking water; gardening hoses are not.
Dimensions and Measurements
Size measurements and dimensions for emergency water tanks can range from 30” in diameter to 48” in diameter, and 42” in height to 71” in height.
The smallest emergency water tank can store 100 gallons of water and is 2.5 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall. The largest emergency water tank can store 500 gallons of water and is 4 feet wide and almost 6 feet tall. When buying an emergency water tank, (or any water tank for that matter), always ensure you have the proper location and sufficient space to keep the tank long term.
Emergency water tank sizes include100 gallons, 125 gallons, 150 gallons, 200 gallons, 250 gallons, 260 gallons, and 500 gallons. Prices can range from $300+ up to $1000+. These specific tank products often include a 3 year manufacturer’s warranty.
Where Should I Place My Emergency Water Tank?
Water is best stored long term in any container, including polyethylene type plastic tanks, when the water is kept in a cool, temperature-stable, dark location away from sunlight. Storage temperatures between 50°F to 70°F are recommended.
Emergency water tanks are often placed inside garages, sheds, and within basements. Placing an emergency water tank in these locations will help provide an ideal setting to storing the water long term.
If needing to keep an emergency water tank outside, placement on the shaded side of a structure is best. In the northern hemisphere, this is on the northside of structures; in the southern hemisphere, this is on the structure’s southside.
Using natural vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and vines can also help shade an outdoor emergency tank to help promote a more stable storage environment and limit sunlight.
How Much Emergency Water Should I Keep?
U.S. federal recommendations encourage keeping 1 gallon of water per person per day throughout the duration of anticipated emergency water needs. If animals or pets are included, keep 1 gallon of water per day for them as well. These recommendations are an “at minimum” suggestion and are based on rationing the supply for as little use as possible to ensure survival during a disaster or severe water shortage. This rationing is to ensure there is drinking water to prevent dehydration and does also consider water use for cooking and hygiene but is perhaps slightly inadequate. If more than 1 gallon per day can be stored, it is recommended to do so.
Using these recommendations in an example, a family of 5 plus 2 pets would need to keep at least 7 gallons of emergency water on hand per day of expected water crisis and need. Using this example and planning for a potential water crisis that lasts 30 days, the family of 7 would need at least 210 gallons of water. This makes a 200 gallon or 250 gallon emergency water tank a good option for this example family’s water reserves in prepping for a disaster.
How Long Will My Emergency Water Stay Good to Drink?
Recommendations say properly purified water will remain okay to drink indefinitely if stored in a sealed, undisturbed, sunlight-proof container kept in a cool, dark location. However, this depends on the initial quality of the water to be stored and the extent of purification, if necessary, used to purify the water in the tank.
Commercially prepared and sealed water containers, such as water bottles, gallon jugs, etc. are said to be good indefinitely if they remain sealed.
Using municipal, public water supply to fill an emergency water tank should provide an emergency water reserve with an indefinite shelf life. Again also, if the tank remains sealed. After 6 to 12 months, stored municipal water may lose some of its taste but will still be okay to drink.
Water tanks and containers that have been personally filled and treated with a 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) are said to be good for up to 5 years if not disturbed. Treating with bleach is only necessary and recommended when storing non-potable water such as untreated rainwater and wanting to purify the water to be good for drinking.
Personally filled containers of purified water that are perhaps drawn from on occasion have a recommended shelf life of 6 to 12 months. After this time, the water should be cycled and replaced.
Takeaway | What are Emergency Water Tanks
Emergency water tanks are a specialized water storage container designed exclusively to keep potable, drinkable freshwater on-hand for use during an emergency event or disaster type scenario. The emergency water tank is made from FDA approved materials and is ANSI/NSF Standard 61 certified for the long-term handling and provision of drinking water. Water storage volumes for emergency tanks range up to 500 gallons. Many feature garden hose style water spigots for easy access, connections, and bucket filling.
If looking for ANSI/NSF 61 certified emergency water tanks, we offer them here. We also provide 3.5 gallon water bricks for individual, smaller volume, transportable water containers. For any additional product inquiries or assistance, contact us – our professional support team is always ready to help.