A water storage tank can help reduce your use of fresh water for jobs like watering the lawn or garden, washing the car, hosing down a barn, and so on. It can also be good to have a rainwater tank on the property for times of drought, when water is scarce, and to use in case of a brushfire on the property. Whatever your needs for a water storage tank, note a few tips for choosing the best one for your property, so you don't overspend on something that's too big, but also invest in a tank that will be durable and usable for many years to come.

Location

You can typically locate a water storage tank anywhere on your property, but note that the higher it sits, the less pump power that will be needed to use that stored water. If you situate the tank on a slight hill or upward slope, you might save money on utility costs for running the pump, and also reduce wear and tear on the pump as well.

Burying the tank

If you don't want an unsightly tank on your property, you can always bury it, at least slightly. However, this might mean that you need to invest in a thicker, stronger tank, as it will need to withstand the pressure of the surrounding soil. Burying the tank also means digging up the soil so that it's not so compact, and this might involve more work in creating a concrete base or in compacting the soil to prepare it for the tank. Be sure to note this cost when deciding if you want a buried tank for your property.

Calculating the size

Don't assume that bigger is better when it comes to water storage tanks, as it may not even rain enough in your area to fill an oversized tank. Consider your area's average annual rainfall and purchase a smaller tank in areas that are drier and less humid.

Once you've calculated your area's rainfall, note the amount of water you may need to use regularly from your tank. A home in the suburbs may only need a small barrel to hold water for washing the car and watering the lawn, but a family farm may need a tank that holds thousands of gallons of water, for watering livestock, crops, and cleaning out barns and silos. Once you've figured your annual rainfall, purchase a tank that will hold the maximum amount needed for ensuring you have enough stored water for all your farming needs.