The Norwesco 40 Gallon Vertical Liquid Storage Tank is a compact, free-standing polyethylene tank built for water and light-duty liquid storage where floor space is tight. It stands 42 inches tall on an 18 x 18 inch footprint, so it tucks into a corner, a utility closet, a trailer, or a pump-house wall while still holding a useful 40 gallons. This is the no-fittings configuration of this Norwesco vertical storage tank, which means you specify and drill your own outlet exactly where your plumbing needs it rather than working around a pre-installed bung.
Will it work for your setup?
The tank body is molded from polyethylene and carries a 1.5 specific gravity rating, meaning it is engineered to safely hold contents up to one-and-a-half times the weight of water. Filled with water, the 40 gallons weighs roughly 334 pounds, and the tank is rated to carry contents up to 500 pounds. That rating is about weight, not extra volume: a liquid heavier than water reaches the 500 pound ceiling at fewer than 40 gallons (500 pounds divided by the liquid's density), so heavier contents reduce your usable fill, they do not add capacity. At 42 inches tall by 18 inches wide and deep, gravity-feed height and footprint are both predictable for sizing into a stand or platform. If you are matching tank size to a daily-use or reserve volume, run the numbers through the Tank Sizing Calculator or read the Tank Sizing Guide before you commit.
Fittings and configuration
This unit ships without fittings, which is a deliberate choice for installers who want full control over outlet placement, size, and thread type. You drill and install your own bulkhead fitting, along with its gasket or seal, at the elevation your application calls for, then plumb to your pump, spigot, or gravity line. The fitting and its sealing gasket are separate items that are not included, so match the bulkhead thread type and diameter to your plumbing before you order. Review the technical drawing on this page for the wall and dome geometry before you locate your penetration, so your fitting lands on a flat, drillable surface with proper clearance. As a 40 gallon vertical tank at the small end of the line, it shares the same molding approach as Norwesco's larger verticals - see how the line scales in our buyer's guides for the 300 gallon, 500 gallon, and 2000 gallon models.
The mistake to avoid
The most common error on a no-fittings tank is drilling before you confirm the fitting elevation and the SG rating against your actual contents. The 1.5 specific gravity rating governs weight, not chemical resistance - this is a water and light liquid storage tank, and anything heavier or more aggressive than plain water needs to be checked against both the 500 pound rated contents weight and a compatibility review. For straight water storage, rainwater capture, fire-reserve, or general utility use, the white tank and its 40 gallon capacity are a clean fit. For cold-climate or fire-reserve planning, our guide on fire-water reservoir tank design covers sizing discipline and freeze protection for remote sites.
This Norwesco vertical tank ships LTL freight from the Sheldon, IA plant, quoted live to your ZIP code. Get an exact number with the Freight Cost Estimator, or call 866-418-1777 and we will walk you through sizing, fittings, and delivery. Listed before freight, with shipping quoted to your destination.
