According to sanitary regulations, and common sense in general, drinking water must have a harmless chemical composition and be safe in terms of radiation and epidemiology. In the case of long-term storage or the organization of an emergency reserve, the quality of the stored water directly depends on the container. The most important criterion is the material from which the drinking water tank is made. Let’s look at the cases when it is more advisable to use one type of container over another.
Proper Storage of Drinking Water
First of all, the preservation and quality of the liquid depends on its initial chemical and biological composition. This is an indisputable factor that we can take “by default.” For example, if there is no organic matter in the water, the process of decomposition will not occur. The rest depends on the storage conditions:
- temperature,
- exposure to sunlight,
- airtightness.
The “correct” container in our case is the one capable of storing water in sufficient quantity for a long time without loss of quality. Moreover, the duration of preservation directly depends on the type of tank used. Over time, various physical and chemical reactions occur, as well as climatic influences, radiation, and other unfavorable factors. You can read more about possible reactions and their effects on the human body HERE.
At the same time, it is hard to overestimate the importance of preserving drinking water in its original form. After all, our health depends on it. And if water is stored in volumes comparable to tens of cubic meters, the scale of the consequences of poor-quality water can be quite discouraging. That’s why a competent, and therefore safe, choice of container is so important.
Drinking Water Tank – Solving Many Problems
A city dweller who has never faced a water shortage may find it hard to imagine its lack. But since life does not end at the civilized boundaries of a ring road, a clean water tank sometimes becomes a crucial source of existence. In extreme conditions, it can even be vital for survival.
Depending on the circumstances, the water supply can be temporary, emergency, or permanent. For instance, irregular or seasonal water “storage” is often used in agriculture, during fieldwork, at construction sites, by summer residents on their plots, and so on.
Emergency reserves are a must during any ecological or technological disasters. The Ministry of Emergency Situations, the army, and other state organizations sometimes have to not only use water reserves but also set up such storage in critically short timeframes. Permanent reserves are often required in arid regions or in areas far from general communications.
Types of Modern Containers
So, if you’ve concluded that due to the specifics of your activities or living conditions you need a container for drinking water, then the next step is to decide on the type and volume. Today, there are three main types of containers offered, which we will briefly review.
- Metal Tank – This is the basic, tried-and-true option that has been used for decades and is still widely applied. Its rigidity and resistance to climatic conditions are advantages. However, the main drawback is its susceptibility to corrosion, as well as its heaviness, which leads to inconveniences.
- Plastic Barrel – This is a popular container today, widely used in both private households and small businesses. The key word here is “small,” because the maximum capacity of such a container can be up to 20 m3. Additionally, long-term storage can be negatively impacted by ultraviolet radiation, and the material of the container can be affected by extreme cold temperatures.
- Flexible Tank – This is the most modern and yet not widely tested storage option. It is made from special technical fabric. It’s hard to describe such a container in just a few words, but here are its advantages:
- no chemical reaction between the material and water,
- reliable protection from ultraviolet radiation,
- operational stability in both low and high temperatures,
- capacity range from 5 to 300 m3,
- unique mobility and fast installation and removal.
Moreover, the price of a flexible tank is quite competitive compared to more traditional analogs.
If you have any doubts or your own opinion on this matter, feel free to call or write — we are always happy to listen to your suggestions or proposals.