Concrete water tanks and ferro-cement water tanks are very strong and long-lasting. Concrete water tanks are most often installed underground however smaller tanks are available for above ground.
New concrete water tanks often impart tastes and may leach lime thereby increasing the pH of water. Accordingly these concrete water tanks may need to be flushed before use.
Concrete tanks can either be delivered complete for small or medium sized concrete water tanks, or poured on site for medium and larger concrete water tanks.
Concrete water tanks delivered on site in a complete form are craned off the truck and onto a prepared sand base. These tanks are sometimes in one to three pieces. A two or three piece tank is made up of “two cups” one inverted on top of the other.
A three piece underground concrete water tank is much the same as the two piece tank but with an additional ring section in the middle.
Concrete sections are then sealed primarily with a rubber or synthetic sealing ring or some form of sealant. Sealant is then applied to the inside of the tank at the join to stop the water leaking out.
Installing Underground Concrete Water Tanks
Underground concrete water tanks are often poured on site. A steel mould is used and reinforcing steel is placed before concrete is poured in. Once the form work is then removed and the completed tank is revealed.
Concrete water tanks are usually the most affordable for an in ground solution. They are ideal for this purpose because they can be covered with load-bearing lids and can fit under driveways or other structures. Cracking of the tanks is one of the most common complaints but most concrete tank makers have techniques to minimise cracking and as long as the tank can be drained, the cracks can be repaired.
Because concrete water tanks are so heavy or are purpose built on site, manufacturers tend to service specific towns or cities.