Water Storage Tank and Chemical Storage Tank Guide

A water storage tank is essential for homes, businesses, farms, and industries. The right water storage tank can help you harvest rainwater, store potable drinking water, manage industrial processes, or even act as a chemical storage tank for hazardous liquids. But not every water storage tank is suitable for every application. For example, a rainwater butt for a garden is very different from an industrial process tank, a settling tank, or a chemical dosing tank. This guide explores the different types of water storage tanks, explains their uses, and helps you choose the best option for your needs.

Why Understanding Different Types of Water Storage Tanks Matters

Choosing the wrong water storage tank can mean wasted money, compliance failures, or even safety risks. Before deciding, you should consider:

• Purpose – rainwater, drinking water, chemicals, or industrial use?

• Location – above ground for easy access, or underground to save space?

• Material – food-grade plastic for potable water or chemical-resistant plastic for acids?

• Capacity – small domestic needs or large-scale industrial applications?

• Regulation – does it need WRAS approval, or a bund for HSE compliance?

By understanding the different types of water storage tanks, you can narrow down your options quickly.

Overview: The Different Types of Water Storage Tanks

Here are the main categories of tanks you’ll encounter:

1. Above Ground Water Storage Tanks – for rainwater or potable water

2. Below Ground Water Storage Tanks – hidden, space-saving solutions

3. Industrial Water Storage Tanks – process and settlement tanks

4. Conical Water Storage Tanks – complete drainage tanks

5. Acid & Chemical Storage Tanks – bunded tanks for hazardous liquids

6. Chemical Dosing Tanks – compact dosing systems

7. Irrigation Water Storage Tanks – cost-effective water for farming and horticulture

8. Transport Water Storage Tanks – designed for safe water transport

9. Specialist Water Storage Tanks – baffled, boat, and aquaculture tanks

1. Above Ground Water Storage Tanks

The most common and cost-effective choice, above ground tanks are simple to install and available in sizes from 50 litres to 40,000 litres.

• Best for: Rainwater harvesting, garden use, or potable drinking water

• Advantages: Easy installation, low cost, wide size range

• Materials: Food-grade polyethylene, UV-stabilised for outdoor use

View above-ground water tanks here

2. Below Ground Water Storage Tanks

Underground water tanks save valuable surface space and are built to withstand soil and groundwater pressure.

• Best for: Properties with limited outdoor space

• Advantages: Hidden from view, durable ribbed construction

• Uses: Irrigation, washing vehicles, storing spring or well water

Explore underground water tanks here

3. Industrial Water Storage Tanks

Industrial water tanks are designed for heavy-duty use in factories, processing plants, and water treatment sites.

• Best for: Process water, settlement, and effluent treatment

• Advantages: Large capacity, robust construction, customisable designs

See industrial water tanks here

4. Conical Water Storage Tanks

Also known as cone-bottom tanks, conical tanks ensure complete drainage through their central outlet.

• Best for: Food production, brewing, or viscous liquids

• Advantages: No residue build-up, hygienic design, efficient emptying

Explore conical tanks here

5. Acid & Chemical Storage Tanks

When handling hazardous liquids, acid and chemical storage tanks provide maximum protection. Made from UV-stabilised, chemical-resistant plastic, they ensure durability and compliance.

• Best for: Industrial chemical storage and treatment

• Advantages: Chemical-resistant, UV-stabilised, bunded options available

• Compliance: Bunds (110% tank capacity) often required by HSE

View chemical storage tanks here

6. Chemical Dosing Tanks

Chemical dosing tanks are compact systems used for storing and dosing treatment chemicals.

• Sizes: 50 litres – 1,500 litres

• Best for: pH adjustment, antiscalants, flocculants, boiler dosing

• Features: Raised shelf for pumps, mixers, and instrumentation

• Compliance: Often paired with bunds for safe containment

Browse chemical dosing tanks here

7. Irrigation Water Storage Tanks

Irrigation tanks make rainwater harvesting practical for agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping.

• Sizes: 150 litres – 40,000 litres (expandable to 90,000 litres)

• Best for: Crop irrigation, greenhouse watering, landscaping

• Advantages: Cost-effective, easy setup with filters and connectors

• Compliance: WRAS CAT5 options available for backflow protection

See irrigation water tanks here

8. Transport Water Storage Tanks

Horizontal transport tanks are designed for safely moving liquids such as water and fertiliser.

• Sizes: 150 litres – 40,000 litres

• Best for: Agriculture, spraying, bowsers, mobile use

• Advantages: Impact-resistant, WRAS-approved, easy to mount on flat surfaces

View transport tanks here

Specialist Water Storage Tanks

Some applications require more specialised designs:

Boat Water Tanks

Baffled tanks are ideal for clean and wastewater transportation for boats, marine yachts, and narrowboats. Providing a supply of clean water on boats is essential as well as dirty water collection tanks.   These water tanks have baffling in the tank and the baffles – which go through the tanks – stop the water sloshing from side to side during transport.  Our range of boat water tanks is available here to view.

Car Valeting Water Tanks

Baffled water tanks as these are baffled to stop waters sloshing within the tank when the vehicle is moving,  These tanks can be used in vans, or on trailers for car valets to provide a clean supply of water and available from 240 litres to 1,000 litres – more details here

Window Cleaning Water Tanks

Baffled slimline tanks are available in many either as flat, horizontal, or upright versions depending on the space available in the van.  These can all be plastic tanks and be fixed to the floor by framework or by mounting through the mounting feet on the horizontal transport tanks. Available from 240 litres to 1,000 litres – more details here

Tanks For Aquaculture

Plastic aquaculture tanks are available in round, conical and rectangular with open or closed tops depending on the application.    Bespoke tanks to suit your application are available using our moulded tanks or a custom-built fabricated tank.  Traditionally these tanks have been used as Koi tanks, Fish Tanks, Fish Ponds and Fish holding/quarantine Tanks, however, these have many other applications including Spawning & Hatching Tanks, Larvae Rearing Tanks, Parabolic Tanks, Raceway Tanks, Broodstock Holding Tanks, Algae Production Tanks and Water Treatment Tanks. - more details here

How to Choose Between Different Types of Water Storage Tanks

With so many water tank options, here’s a quick framework to help you decide:

1. Define your purpose – rainwater, drinking water, irrigation, chemicals, or industrial use.

2. Consider your space – above ground is cheaper; underground saves surface area.

3. Check compliance – WRAS approval for potable water; bunds for chemicals.

4. Think long term – UV-stabilised, durable materials give maximum lifespan.

5. Match size to demand – 200–500 litres for domestic use; 50,000+ litres for industrial sites.

FAQs About the Different Types of Water Storage Tank

• Which type of water storage tank is best for homes?
  Above-ground rainwater tanks are the most popular and affordable for domestic use.
• Can I store drinking water in any tank?
  No, only WRAS-approved, food-grade tanks should be used for potable water.
• Why use an underground water storage tank?
  They save space above ground and keep large-capacity tanks discreet.
• Do chemical tanks need bunds?
  Yes, most chemical applications require bunds to comply with HSE standards.
• What is the most versatile type of tank?
  Above-ground plastic tanks, available in many sizes, suit the widest range of applications.

Choosing the Right Type of Water Storage Tank

There are many different types of water storage tanks, each designed for a specific purpose. From rainwater harvesting systems to industrial chemical dosing solutions, the right choice depends on your application, available space, and compliance requirements. Whether you are a homeowner, a farmer, or an industrial operator, choosing the right water storage tank or chemical storage tank will protect your resources, ensure safety, and deliver long-term value.

Ready to Find the Right Type of Water Storage Tank?

At Enduramaxx, we manufacture and supply one of the UK’s widest ranges of plastic water storage tanks – from compact rainwater butts to large industrial and chemical tanks. With over 40 years of expertise, we help homeowners, farmers, contractors, and businesses choose solutions that are safe, compliant, and built to last. Please contact us to learn more about how we can help!