Farm supply IBC water tanks and totes are heavy-grade plastic tanks often encased in a metal grid basket. They can be partially buried to keep water cooler and less susceptible to mold and bacteria or can be stored above ground and stacked. The water stored in these tanks should be used for toilet flushing, or other non-culinary uses, or should be clarified and purified before drinking and cooking unless the tanks are certified for potable water storage.
Other Water Storage Containers
Other large volume water storage containers include:
- Bathtub bladders, heavy-duty plastic bathtub-size bags, that temporarily hold up to 100 gallons of water in a bathtub during emergency situations.
- 160-gallon stackable water storage tanks. These tanks have the same footprint as a 55-gallon water barrel. They can have one or two brass valves for filling/draining and for filling smaller water containers. Remember that 160 gallons of water weighs over 1300 pounds when deciding where to keep a filled tank.
- Water beds may be used for water storage for non-drinking purposes, but an algicide that is food-approved must be used. They can hold 80 to 235 gallons of water.
