A 1,550-gallon black potable-water tank with the squat, stable proportions of a serious storage vessel — 67 inches tall on an 87-inch base. Molded by Norwesco from FDA-approved polyethylene and pigmented black to block light and inhibit algae, it ships with both a 2-inch outlet and a 1.5-inch inlet installed, ready to plumb for household, agricultural, or emergency water supply.

Specifications at a Glance

Every figure below is pulled straight from the live product record for this exact tank — the same data on the product page, so what you read here and what you buy never disagree.

Manufacturer	Norwesco
Manufacturer Part #	N-40627
Nominal Capacity	1550 Gallons
Footprint (Diameter)	87"
Overall Height	67"
Empty Weight	215 lb
Material	Polyethylene (HDPE)
Color	Black
Rated Specific Gravity	1.1
Certifications	FDA Approved, UV Stabilized
Warranty	3 Year
Shipping	Ships LTL motor freight

Standards & Materials

ASTM D1998 — Standard Specification for Polyethylene Upright Storage Tanks. Governs wall-thickness and hydrostatic design for vertical rotomolded poly tanks of this class.
FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 — Olefin polymers. The food-contact regulation the FDA-grade resin in this tank is compounded to meet.
Specific gravity rating 1.1 — the tank is engineered for liquids up to 1.1× the density of water (water is about 8.34 lb/gal). Confirm your fluid’s SG before storage.

Product Overview

The 1550 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank is built for clean, safe drinking-water storage at a scale that serves a home, a livestock operation, or a community emergency reserve. Unlike the white chemical tanks, this one is finished in opaque black for a specific reason: light drives algae growth, and the black wall blocks it, keeping stored water clearer and fresher between turnovers.

It is also the more turnkey tank to plumb. Where chemical tanks ship with an outlet only, this water tank includes both a factory 2-inch outlet near the base and a 1.5-inch inlet fitting up top, so the basic fill-and-draw connections are already in place. The squat 67-by-87-inch body keeps the loaded water low and stable on its 41.3-square-foot footprint, and the 16-inch lid gives access for a float valve, level sensor, or submersible pump.

The empty shell is 200 pounds. Because water is lighter than the chemicals the white tanks hold — this tank is rated to 1.1 specific gravity, about 9.2 pounds per gallon — a full load comes to roughly 14,420 pounds, around seven tons on the broad base. That is the figure to design the pad around.

The tank is molded as one seamless piece with no joint to leak, is FDA approved for potable water and food-grade liquids, and carries Norwesco's 3-year defect warranty. Each unit is inspected before it ships.

Technical Drawing

Official Norwesco technical drawing — 1550 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank

Key Features and Specifications

1,550-gallon capacity — sized for safe potable water storage
Constructed from virgin linear polyethylene (HDPE) with 1.1 specific gravity rating — handles liquids up to 9.2 lbs/gal
67" tall x 87" diameter — compact vertical footprint
200 lbs empty, approximately 14,420 lbs when full at rated specific gravity
2" NPT outlet fitting — factory installed and leak-tested
1.5" NPT inlet fitting included
16" lid opening for fill, venting, and interior access
FDA approved for potable water and food-grade liquid contact
3 Year Warranty from Norwesco against manufacturing defects
UV-resistant black pigmentation provides maximum outdoor durability and inhibits algae growth in stored liquids
Rated for continuous service up to 120 F / 48 C
Seamless one-piece rotational molding — no seams, no welds, no leak points
Manufactured by Norwesco — a leading name in rotomolded polyethylene tanks
Install on a level, compacted surface. Ensure adequate clearance above for lid access and around the perimeter for plumbing connections and visual inspection
Ships via LTL freight — allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Lift gate and residential delivery available at additional cost

Installation and Setup Guide

A potable-water installation has one extra priority beyond the structural basics: keeping the stored water clean. The low, wide 1550 is easy to set on a good base, and the rest of the job is about sanitary connections and protecting the water from contamination.

Site Preparation

Build a base that fully supports the 87-inch diameter — a 4-inch compacted gravel pad or a level slab handles the seven-ton full load. Screed it flat within a quarter inch across the width so the squat tank does not tip onto one edge, and clear all rock and debris. Site the tank where surface runoff and contaminants drain away from, not toward, the lid and connections.

Placement and Connections

Use the factory 2-inch outlet for draw and the included 1.5-inch inlet for fill. Choose connection materials rated for potable water — NSF-listed PVC or food-grade fittings — and a flex section before rigid pipe to absorb thermal movement. Fit the lid with a screened, insect-proof vent and keep the fill protected so nothing falls into the water. Leave two feet of clearance for inspection.

Venting

The tank must breathe as water flows in and out, but on a potable system the vent has a second job: keeping insects, dust, and debris out. Use a screened vent in the lid sized to your fill and draw rates so air keeps pace without ever letting the wide top draw a vacuum.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

Potable-water tanks reward a little routine care that keeps the water safe to drink. Beyond the structural checks, the focus is water quality and clean connections.

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Quarterly Inspection Checklist

Water clarity: Check the stored water for cloudiness, sediment, or odor that would signal a contamination or stagnation issue.
Wall and base: Look for any bulge or a flat spot at the base, and confirm the pad is level under the wide footprint.
Fittings: Inspect the 2-inch outlet and 1.5-inch inlet for weeping and hand-tighten as needed.
Vent and lid: Verify the screened vent is intact and the lid seals so insects and debris stay out.

Cleaning

For potable storage, drain and sanitize at least annually. After draining, scrub or rinse out sediment, then sanitize with a chlorine solution — roughly a quarter cup of unscented household bleach per fifteen gallons of water — let it stand a couple of hours to contact all surfaces, then drain and flush with fresh water until no chlorine odor remains. Refill with clean potable water. Regular turnover of the stored water also keeps it fresh between cleanings.

UV and Weather Protection

The black pigment is the tank's UV armor and its algae defense in one, giving it strong outdoor durability without translucent walls to admit light. In freezing climates, protect exposed plumbing and never let a full tank freeze solid, since expanding ice can stress even a sound shell.

Alternatives and Comparisons

Black water versus white chemical is the first comparison: this black potable tank blocks light to fight algae and is rated for drinking water, while a white liquid-storage tank of the same size is built for heavier chemicals at 1.5 specific gravity and is not finished for potable use. Among water tanks, this squat 1,550 is the stable, ground-level-access choice; a taller water tank of similar volume saves floor at the cost of height. For very large reserves, step up to a 2,500- or 3,000-gallon water tank. And if you ever need to store chemicals rather than water, choose a white 1.5-SG tank instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the 1550 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank last?

Fifteen to twenty years of dependable potable-water service is realistic when the tank sits on a level base and gets routine sanitizing. The seamless mold has no joints to fail, and the black pigment provides robust UV protection along with algae resistance. The factors that shorten a water tank's life are usually a poor foundation, letting a full tank freeze solid, or physical impact — chemical attack is rarely a concern with clean water.

What chemicals can I store in this tank?

This tank is purpose-built and FDA-approved for potable water and food-grade liquids, and that is its best use. It is rated to 1.1 specific gravity, so it is not constructed for the heavier agricultural and industrial chemicals that the white 1.5-SG liquid-storage tanks handle. If you need to store fertilizers or chemicals, choose a white liquid-storage tank rated for them rather than repurposing this water tank.

What kind of foundation does a 1550-gallon tank need?

A full load is about 14,420 pounds across the 87-inch base. A 4-inch compacted gravel pad or a level slab sized to the base will carry it. Because the tank is short and wide, keep the surface flat within a quarter inch and clear of rock — levelness is the key, and good drainage around the base protects the water supply.

Does this tank come with a warranty?

Yes, Norwesco backs it three years for defects in materials and workmanship, covering molding flaws, pinholes, and fitting faults. It excludes damage from freezing a full tank, a poor foundation, or impact. Save your receipt along with installation photos in case a claim arises.

Can I install this tank underground?

No. This is an above-ground water tank; its flat walls cannot resist the soil and groundwater pressure of burial and would collapse. For below-grade potable storage, use an underground cistern engineered with ribbed, reinforced walls for that load.

Buying Considerations

Three checks before ordering this water tank. First, the footprint — the squat 67-by-87-inch shape wants ground width but little overhead and stays stable, ideal for open pads. Second, plumbing — confirm the included 2-inch outlet and 1.5-inch inlet suit your fill-and-draw setup, and plan potable-rated connections. Third, freight — seven tons full wants a level pad, and the tank ships LTL needing a forklift or lift gate. Call us to arrange delivery.