Frequently Asked Questions

Water Supply tank molds are engineered for a variety of sizes ranging from 35 gallon tanks to 500 gallons tanks, with thickness of the tanks actual volume may vary.

Our Sizes Include 35 gal, 55 gal, 160 gal, 260 gal and 500 gal.

The Department of Homeland Security recommends 1 gallon per day per individual. 1/2 of this gallon is used for drinking, 1/4 for cooking, and 1/4 for washing – this, however, is BARE MINIMUM survival. 3-5 gallons per day, for at least 30 days is recommended for more comfortable survival.

35 Gallon Tank - 22.5" tall / 20.25" wide, 22.5" tall / 30" Deep

55 Gallon Tank - 45″ Tall / 29″ Wide / 36″ deep.

260 Gallon Tank - 86.25" tall /  28.75" wide / 32.25" deep

500 gallon doorway tank - 78” Tall / 29” Wide / 69” Deep

500 Gallon Round Tank - 57” Tall / 49” Diameter

Water Supply tanks are made out of a compounded high-density polyethylene resin, a number two recycle code. We only use materials approved and certified to be used for water storage.

The tanks are manufactured with FDA and NSF approved, food-grade materials.

Yes, Water Supply tanks are BPA free.

For orders of ten or more tanks, please email info@watersupplytanks.com to discuss rates.

Because your house water is pressurized and the tank is not, you cannot run water back into your house without a pump. It is recommended that your water storage NOT be in line as many emergencies will cause the city water-source to become contaminated, therefore contaminating any inline water storage.

Yes, your tank will come with two lead-free brass hose-bib spigots, teflon tape, a spring loaded cap and instructions. You will not need to purchase additional fittings to use your tank.

Each tank comes packaged with two brass spigots that need to be installed into the two black bulkhead fittings near the bottom of the tank (the bottom fitting on the 500 gallon tank is already installed). Sometimes it can be easier to do these steps while the tank is laid on its side.

Make sure the black bulkhead fittings are tight. Remember, these fittings tighten counter-clockwise, the opposite of normal. Don't over tighten these. Just get them as tight as you can by hand or with a small wrench. (we do our best to tighten fittings before shipping)

Thread the back of brass spigots (the part pre-wrapped in teflon tape) into the bulkhead fittings. Be very careful not to cross-thread them. Take it slow until you can feel them threading in properly, then tighten them by hand as much as you can. Don't over tighten these either. (installing the bottom valve is best when tank is tipped back or laying down)

Water Supply tanks should only be stacked two high.

Our tanks are made to be out in the sun. However, shade is preferred; material life and water quality is improved if not stored in direct sunlight.

Water freezes at 32° F or 0° C. The tanks, however, are rated for -40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're worried about your water freezing, we recommend leaving at least ten inches of room for expansion. It is not common for Water Supply Tanks tanks to freeze all the way through but it will happen if the conditions are cold enough for an extended period of time. Many of our water tanks are stored in unheated garages during the winter and rarely have a problem with freezing.

WaterSupply tanks are sterilized prior to delivery through an extremely high-temperature molding process. Rinsing your tanks may be helpful but washing them prior to filling is not necessary. WaterSupply uses vacuum drills in the manufacturing process to minimize plastic shavings inside your tanks. To remove any shavings that may have fallen in during assembly you may use a vacuum or simply fill as normal then scoop the shavings off the top. Plastic shavings are harmless and will float on top of your water. Chlorine, chlorine tablets, and other substances approved for treating water may be used upon filling your tank to kill bacteria that may have appeared during delivery.

Cleaning steps are as follows:

1. Lay the tank on its side on a lawn or driveway. Make sure you don't smash the black fittings.

2. Take the lid off and spray water around the inside of the tank until you have a pool of water. 

3. Pour a third of a cup of bleach in the tank and roll the tank back and forth to slosh it around to coat the inside.

4. Stand the tank up and let the water and bleach completely drain out.

Your tank could weigh over 2000 pounds (Depending on the model) when completely filled. Make sure it is on a level concrete floor with the entire bottom of the tank supported before you fill it. It's not necessary, but if you prefer a barrier between the tank and the floor, we recommend you use a flat piece of plastic, rubber, or plywood. Wooden pallets or structures are usually not strong enough to hold a full tank. Also keep in mind how you plan to drain it if you want to rotate your water in the future.

Once the spigots are installed and the tank is placed properly, you can begin filling your tank.

Take off or loosen the black top cap to let the air escape.

Fill the tank to just above the top spigot and wait for one hour.

Check to make sure that none of the fittings are leaking. If there are drips around a fitting, tighten it a quarter-turn and wait again. Repeat this step until there are no drips.

Fill your tank the rest of the way. Keep watch on it while it fills to make sure that it doesn't overflow.

Replace the top cap.

Our water tanks are cleaned, shrink wrapped, cardboard wrapped, and strapped to a pallet to ship. Getting a tank shipped to you is a little different than the normal package you order off the internet. Because our tanks are too large for standard carriers like FedEx and UPS, we ship them on freight lines.

We ship orders within 2-7 business days. Freight takes another 2-7 business days. (Times are estimates.)

You have to provide a phone number so that the freight company can reach you. They will call and set up a time to deliver your tank once it's almost to your address. They can't deliver without contacting you. Once they set up an appointment, have someone there for it. They may charge you extra if they have to try to deliver it more than once.

Your shipping address has to be accessible to a freight truck. Freight trucks are the large, semi-trucks that you see on the freeway. They need to be able to drive straight past your address, or they'll need enough room to turn around. There also can't be low hanging lines in the way. The delivery driver will lower your tank out with a liftgate and leave it for you, but you need to get it into your house yourself. It's not too hard. Tanks weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, and they slide around easily enough when empty.

Check out your tank before signing the delivery form. If there's something wrong with it, you need to write it down on the form before accepting it. If your tank was damaged, it's a lot easier for you to get a replacement if you note it down. We can only bill the freight company for a new tank if the damage is noted on the form. Damage during shipping doesn't happen often, but just be aware.

Fresh treated municipal water typically does not need to be treated before storing. However, if your water is from other sources such as wells, streams, rivers, and springs it should be treated before storing. Treating your water properly is important; it helps prevent the growth of bacteria, algae, mold, mildew, and other contaminants from thriving in your water.

While we have seen water last for many years in this type of plastic, the suggested rotation schedule is as OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. Both the FDA and Red Cross recommend that you rotate your water every 6-12 months depending on the storage condition. Water will also keep longer if you keep the tank in a cool, shaded area, like in a garage, shed, or basement. In a dryer climate, such as Utah or Nevada, fresh water may be stored for 9 to 12 months before rotating.  It's best, however, to rotate water more frequently. Depending on storage conditions and water quality, you may want to wash the tank out again every few rotations too.

There are lots of options to treat your water. The best option that we have found is the 5-year water treatment kit that we sell on our Products page called Biofilm Defender. It extends the 6–12 month recommendation to 5 years, which makes things much more convenient. 

If you happen to be one of the 90% of the people who simply forget, your water will be safer for longer with a Water Supply tank because of the high-quality, non-porous plastic that our tanks are made out of. Water Supply helps make rotating water convenient by allowing you to hook a standard garden hose up to your tank. With such convenience, we suggest using your water to rinse cars, water flowers, fill buckets, and in any other situation to ensure that your water is regularly being turned.

FDA approved tablets can be placed in your water to kill bacteria and prolong the shelf life of your water. The need for water treatment increases with the age and waring conditions of your tank. While chemicals are not required for safe water storage, regular testing for bacteria is recommended with any water storage system.

At Water Supply Tanks we recommend our Biofilm Defender. This treatment allows you to simply add the treatment when filling the tank and will keep the water good for up to 5 years.

For water storage up to 5 years add the following amounts of Biofilm Defender to your water.

55 Gallon - 1 Teaspoon

160 Gallon - 2 Tablespoons

Clean water in = Clean water out. Ensureing the water in your tank is as clean and bacteria free as possible will help prevent any growth. You might want to consider pre filtering your water. Its best to store your tank out of direct sunlight in a cool place, like a basement. If you can't avoid storing it in the heat, be sure to rotate the water every 6 months. 

Any direct sunlight is going to feed any photoautotrophs (things that use light to manufacture their food) that are in your water. If a cool basement isn't an option, a warm or even hot garage might be a good second choice.