How to Select a Location for an Underground Water Tank
Some homeowners may end up unwittingly shortening the service life of their underground water storage tanks due to selecting an unsuitable location for those tanks. This article discusses some factors that one should think about when selecting the best location for a new underground water tank.
The Flood Level
You need to get information about the flood level in your area before you select where you will install your new underground water tank. It is better to review flood level data that covers a long duration of time, such as 50-100 years. This information will help you to ensure that the tank will be above the historical flood levels when it is installed. Consequently, your tank and its contents may be safer in case floods occur in your area.
Sources of Contamination
It is also advisable for you to select an installation location that has ample clearance from any possible sources of contamination in the area. For example, you should place the tank far from sewers, drain-fields and standing water. A clearance of about 50-70 feet from those identified sources of contamination can be sufficient to keep that water safe for use in your home. The tank will also be safer from premature aging caused by the aggressive substances in the contaminants.
The Frost Line
You should also consider the frost line in your area when you are installing the underground water storage tank. This information can be obtained from the municipal authorities in your area. Make sure that the top of your new underground tank is below the frost line. Placing the tank at such a depth will save it from any structural damage that it may have sustained due to the periodic freezing and thawing that takes place as the seasons change.
Treated Water Systems
You may also need to select a location that will not create an opportunity for the untreated water stored in the underground tank to mix with the treated water from your municipality. For instance, the pipes that take the water from the underground tank to your home should not run close to the pipes that bring municipal water to your home. This is because the untreated water from the tank can mix with the treated municipal water in case a defect occurs in the piping systems. It is therefore better for you to place the water tank on another side of your property where municipal water lines aren't present.
The municipal authorities in your area may have specific regulations governing some of the factors in the discussion above. Find out what those applicable rules are so that you install the water tank in a location that doesn't contravene any of them.
Share