The Capacities of Water Tanks and Their Applications
Water tank capacities can vary widely based on their design purpose and installation location. This article will explore the typical capacities of different types of water tanks and the factors to consider when selecting the appropriate size.
Residential Water Tanks
Small tanks (50 to 500 gallons / 190 to 1900 liters): Ideal for individual homes with low water consumption needs.
Large tanks (1000 to 5000 gallons / 3800 to 19000 liters): Suitable for larger households or properties with higher water demands.
Commercial Water Tanks
Medium tanks (5000 to 20000 gallons / 19000 to 76000 liters): Optimal for small businesses or commercial buildings requiring moderate water storage.
Large tanks (20000 to 100000 gallons / 76000 to 380000 liters): Designed for larger facilities such as factories or warehouses with significant water needs.
Municipal Water Tanks
Elevated tanks: Typically range from 100000 to several million gallons (380000 to over 3.8 million liters), supplying water to communities.
Agricultural Water Tanks
These tanks can range from a few thousand gallons to over a million gallons (3800 liters to several million liters) for irrigation and livestock purposes.
Specialty Tanks
Fire protection tanks: Designed to hold 10000 to 100000 gallons (38000 to 380000 liters) or more. Rainwater harvesting tanks: Capacities vary from 500 to over 10000 gallons (1900 liters to 38000 liters), depending on the collection area and intended use.Water tank sizes can be customized to cater to specific needs and local regulations. Therefore, it is essential to consider these factors when selecting a tank.
Factors Influencing Water Tank Size
Generally, water tank capacities depend on the usage of water. Important consumption areas include household, irrigation, and commercial requirements. A vast majority of people use water tanks for household purposes such as drinking water, washing, and other domestic uses.
To ensure adequate water storage, the following considerations should be taken into account:
Usage: What is the intended purpose of the water tank? Water Demand: How much water is needed for daily consumption? Rainfall Expectation: How much rainfall can be expected to catch? Space Availability: How much area is available for the tank installation? Budget: Within what budget can the tank be purchased?Calculating Water Tank Size
The average household requires approximately 30000 liters of water per year. For a family of 4, this equates to 120000 liters of water per year. To determine if you can catch enough water from rainfall, multiply the area of your roof by the annual average rainfall.
Example:If your roof cover area is 250 msup2; and your average annual rainfall is 700 mm, you can expect to harvest approximately 175000 liters of water per year (250 x 700).
Considering this example, a family of 4 would need a tank size of at least 120000 liters. It is generally better to have a bigger tank, as it is better to have more water available and not needing it than to need water and not have it.
Conclusion and Getting Professional Insight
In essence, water tanks come in a wide range of sizes to cater to the variables within the marketplace. If you are unsure about what size is best for you, it is best to talk to a professional such as Pioneer Water Tanks. Alternatively, for a smaller plastic-style tank, you can find good deals on sites like Ebay and Amazon.