Is an Underground Water Tank Safe?

Underground water tanks are popular in many residential and commercial premises. Unlike above ground tanks, underground tanks have huge capacities. How much the tank holds is only limited to the design of the build. They are also a favourite because of their covert design. You can easily have a huge tank serving your house without any alteration to your outdoor look. The tank is hidden in the ground with only the hatch popping out. Despite the numerous pros of underground tanks, questions have been raised about the safety of the tanks. So, are underground tanks safe?

Structural safety

Underground tanks come in different designs. Some are constructed beside the house while others are set up under the house. The biggest concern is often whether the tank will bear the weight on it or cave in. Buried polyethylene tanks are set up with minimal weight to bear. They are not buried too deep in the ground to avert the problem of bearing the weight of the earth above.

Moreover, the tanks are often buried beside the house and not under it unless there is additional structural support to bear the weight of the house.

On the other hand, concrete underground tanks can bear a lot of weight. With reinforcements, the tanks can easily bear the weight of an entire building without caving in. Therefore, the structural safety of an underground is guaranteed when the correct design is used.

Water safety

Plastic water tanks and bottles are manufactured from polyethylene, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene or bisphenol. These compounds are harmful when unstable or free. They can easily be dissolved in water, ingested through drinking and cause harmful health effects. For example, bisphenol A is known to cause cancer, asthma, cardiac complications and reproductive pathologies. Fortunately, the compounds used in safe plastic water tanks are food-grade standard, UV and heat stable and free from toxic materials.

Alternatively, concrete tanks are known for producing superior quality water that is safe. The tanks provide stable water temperatures that reduce warm spots for algal blooming. Moreover, leaching of cement tanks introduces minerals into the water that make for a nicer taste. However, the use of fly ash in most concrete tanks has raised questions on water safety. Fly ash toxicity has been reported to have some health effects, but manufacturers maintain that the amounts used in concrete water tank construction are within the safety ranges.

User safety

Reports of people falling into underground water tanks or getting injured while cleaning the tanks are common. However, user safety can be guaranteed by observing simple safety rules. The hatch should always remain closed at all times to avoid any accidental falls. Moreover, the hatch should always be clearly marked and if possible, barricaded to prevent children from accessing it. Lastly, cleaning of the water tank is always recommended be performed by a professional or with some supervision to facilitate quick response in case of an accident.

Despite the concerns, underground water tanks are safe for water storage.