Emergency Water Preparedness: Tank Selection and Installation Guide
Emergency Water Preparedness
FEMA recommends a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation, with a minimum three-day supply. For a family of four, that is just 12 gallons — barely enough to get through a long weekend. Serious preparedness means weeks of supply, not days. A properly maintained water storage tank provides peace of mind that no amount of bottled water can match.
Why Tank Selection Matters for Emergency Water Preparedness
Not every polyethylene tank works for every application. The wrong tank can mean chemical incompatibility, premature failure, regulatory violations, or simply wasted money on features you don't need. This guide walks you through the specific requirements for emergency water preparedness and matches you with the right tank from our catalog.
Key Requirements
- FDA Approved — Non-negotiable for any tank storing drinking water. FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 certification required.
- Volume Planning — One gallon per person per day is survival minimum. Plan for 3 gallons per person per day for realistic comfort.
- Rotation — Stored water should be rotated every 6-12 months. Connect your tank to a use cycle or schedule regular drain-and-refill.
- Treatment — Stored water benefits from treatment with unscented household bleach (1/4 teaspoon per gallon) to prevent bacterial growth.
Recommended Tank Types
Vertical Water Storage
Above-ground reserves for emergency water supply. Black for outdoor use, white for indoor.
Shop Vertical Water Storage
Doorway Tanks
Fit through standard doors for basement and indoor emergency water storage.
Shop Doorway Tanks
Installation Considerations for Emergency Water Preparedness
Location
Store emergency water away from chemicals, gasoline, and other contaminants. Polyethylene can absorb vapors from nearby chemicals over time. Indoor storage in a basement or utility room is ideal — the temperature is stable and the tank is protected from UV and weather.
Redundancy
Don't put all your water in one tank. Two smaller tanks provide redundancy — if one develops a problem, you still have half your supply. It also makes maintenance easier since you can drain and clean one while the other remains in service.
Sizing Your Tank
Tank sizing for emergency water preparedness depends on your usage rate, refill frequency, and peak demand. The general formula is:
Required Capacity = Daily Usage × Days Between Refills × 1.2 Safety Factor
The 1.2 safety factor accounts for peak usage days, delivery delays, and the fact that you should never run a tank completely dry (the sediment at the bottom can clog fittings and pumps). If your application has seasonal peaks, size for peak demand rather than average demand.
Maintenance Specific to Emergency Water Preparedness
Standard polyethylene tank maintenance applies: quarterly visual inspection, fitting checks, foundation verification, and vent maintenance. For emergency water preparedness specifically, pay extra attention to:
- Chemical compatibility: If you change chemicals or suppliers, verify the new formulation is compatible with polyethylene and within the tank's specific gravity rating before adding it to the tank.
- Residue buildup: Some liquids leave residue on tank walls over time. Annual interior inspection and cleaning prevents buildup from affecting liquid quality or reducing effective capacity.
- Fitting condition: Applications with frequent connect/disconnect cycles wear fittings faster. Replace threaded fittings at the first sign of thread damage — a cross-threaded or stripped fitting is a leak waiting to happen.
- Secondary containment: If required by your local regulations, inspect containment berms, dikes, or trays during each tank inspection. Secondary containment only works if it's intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tank do I need for emergency water preparedness?
Start with your daily usage rate and multiply by the number of days between refills, then add 20% for safety margin. For example, if you use 50 gallons per day and refill weekly, you need: 50 × 7 × 1.2 = 420 gallons minimum. Round up to the next standard size — in this case, 500 gallons.
Do I need a chemical-rated tank or a water-only tank?
If you are storing anything other than clean water, choose a chemical-rated tank (SG 1.5 or higher). The thicker walls and higher material rating provide safety margin for chemical exposure, and you won't need to replace the tank if you switch liquids later. Water-only tanks save money but limit your future options.
What permits do I need?
Permit requirements depend on your location, the tank size, and what you are storing. Water storage typically requires no permits below 5,000 gallons. Chemical storage often requires permits, secondary containment, and fire marshal review. Agricultural exemptions may apply for farm chemical storage. Always check with your local building department and fire authority before installation.
Can I install the tank myself?
For tanks under 500 gallons, DIY installation is straightforward if you follow proper site preparation and plumbing practices. For larger tanks, we recommend professional installation — the weight involved creates safety risks, and improper placement can void the warranty. Either way, a proper foundation is non-negotiable.
How do I handle delivery and placement?
Small tanks (under 200 gallons) ship via UPS/FedEx ground. Mid-size tanks (200-1000 gallons) ship LTL on a pallet — you'll need a forklift or request liftgate delivery. Large tanks (1000+ gallons) ship via flatbed and require equipment for unloading. Call us to coordinate delivery logistics for your specific site conditions.
Need expert guidance on tank selection for emergency water preparedness? Call (866) 418-1777 — we'll help you size, select, and plan your installation.