The Norwesco 5000 Gallon Black Vertical Storage Tank (SKU 40941B) is a polyethylene bulk-water reservoir built for high-volume above-ground storage where one large tank beats a cluster of small ones. Rated for non-potable bulk water: fire reserve, irrigation, rainwater, and reuse. It holds 5,000 gallons, stands 86 inches tall, and sits on a 141 x 141 inch footprint - a wide, low-profile vertical that keeps the center of gravity down and the load spread across the pad. The black resin blocks light to suppress algae growth, which is why this configuration is a common pick for fire-water reservoirs, irrigation supply, rainwater storage, and general non-potable bulk water. Because freight on a tank this size is the dominant cost variable - it ships from Hanford, CA - distant buyers should price it early with the Freight Cost Estimator.
Will it work for your site?
This is a 1.5 specific-gravity rated tank, so the wall is engineered for contents up to 1.5 times the weight of water - real headroom, not a marketing number. Filled with plain water (SG 1.0) it carries about 41,700 lb of contents; at its full 1.5 SG rating it is built for up to 62,550 lb of contents. That rating is the upsell within this single SKU: if you are storing a denser-than-water non-potable fluid, the wall already covers the heavier load - no need to step up to a different tank. Plan the foundation around those numbers. Reserve at least a 141 x 141 inch (about 12 x 12 ft) level pad with 86 inches of vertical clearance, plus working room around the manway. A fully-supported pad rated for the loaded weight is non-negotiable on a tank this size. Our concrete pad sizing guide walks through the ACI 360R-10 framework for above-ground poly tanks, and if you are still settling on capacity the Tank Sizing Calculator and Tank Sizing Guide help you match volume to demand.
Fittings and access
The tank comes set up with a 22-inch lid (the "tuna can" style) on a revised manway sized for that 22-inch lid. That single access point is your reference for everything you add: size any inlet, outlet, vent, or bulkhead hardware and its gaskets to match the 22-inch manway/lid opening, and confirm your plumbing layout against it before you finalize. See the technical drawing on this page for the fitting layout and dimensions.
Common applications
Because the black wall is opaque, this 5000-gallon vertical works well as a fire-water reservoir on rural and remote sites, irrigation and ag water storage, and harvested-rainwater holding. For private fire-protection planning, our fire-water reservoir design guide covers NFPA 22 sizing discipline and cold-climate freeze protection. If you are aggregating grey-water, rainwater, or HVAC condensate into quality-banded storage, the industrial water reuse topology guide maps how a tank like this fits a reuse train, and our rainwater harvesting guide covers first-flush diverter sizing.
The mistake to avoid
The most expensive error on a tank this size is under-building the pad. People size the foundation for the empty tank or for water weight alone and forget the rated-contents margin - this tank is built for up to 62,550 lb of contents, and a pad that flexes or settles unevenly will stress the floor knuckle. Pour and level the full footprint, support the entire base, and never set a vertical tank of this scale on bare or partially-supported ground. Second: confirm your intended use is non-potable. This is a black water-storage tank for fire, irrigation, rainwater, and reuse service - match the tank to the service.
This tank ships LTL freight from the Norwesco plant in Hanford, CA - the nearest named shipping point for this SKU - and freight is quoted live to your ZIP rather than buried in the price. Get an exact number with the Freight Cost Estimator, or call 866-418-1777 and we will quote it for you. The listed price is the tank only, before freight.
