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.
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.
Here are the main categories of tanks you’ll encounter:
Above Ground Water Storage Tanks – for rainwater or potable water
Below Ground Water Storage Tanks – hidden, space-saving solutions
Industrial Water Storage Tanks – process and settlement tanks
Conical Water Storage Tanks – complete drainage tanks
Acid & Chemical Storage Tanks – bunded tanks for hazardous liquids
Chemical Dosing Tanks – compact dosing systems
Irrigation Water Storage Tanks – cost-effective water for farming and horticulture
Transport Water Storage Tanks – designed for safe water transport
Specialist Water Storage Tanks – baffled, boat, and aquaculture 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Some applications require more specialised designs:
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.
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
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
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
With so many water tank options, here’s a quick framework to help you decide:
Define your purpose – rainwater, drinking water, irrigation, chemicals, or industrial use.
Consider your space – above ground is cheaper; underground saves surface area.
Check compliance – WRAS approval for potable water; bunds for chemicals.
Think long term – UV-stabilised, durable materials give maximum lifespan.
Match size to demand – 200–500 litres for domestic use; 50,000+ litres for industrial sites.
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.
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!