Plastic Water Storage Tank in Tropical Region: Advantages and Disadvantages.

Production of local plastic water Tank came into existence in African Region in Late 1980’s. Before this period the commonly used storage vessels were the welded steel water tank and the Galvanized tank. The steel or the galvanized usually used were of the thickness of 16 gauge which could serve up to six to ten years or more if care was taken to wash the inner tank and paint once a year. The cleaning, washing, drying and painting of steel, galvanized tanks prolong the life span, and that of any materials made of each, either for the sheets used for gates, fences or other domestic and industrial use.In some cases some people give much greater care to wire brush, scrap and paint these steel or galvanized wares up to two times per year; these special cares prolong the life time because the scrapping off of rust and renewed painting makes them to glitter and shine.The introduction of plastic Water tanks brought a great relief to the modern plumber especially those in Africa. The introduction removed the hard work associated with lifting up of steel tank manually to a height of twelve meter with ordinary rope, the weight of the plastic water of 1000litres weighs almost a quarter of the nearly phased out steel or galvanized water tank. The price of plastic water tank is cheaper as well as the installation cost.Therefore the conveyance of 1000litres of galvanized or steel tank which takes four men to lift to required height now takes two persons lift to the required position.Plastic DurabilityThe fact that plastic tank lasts longer years is true. Washing it twice a year to remove impurities from water, keeps the water tank free and clean.To have firm base for the over head water tank, considerable scaffolding structure should be erected, with the tank base having five or six iron crossing and flat sheet of 1.5mx1.5m on top for the water tank to stay upon. This will afford a nice base which can last 20 to 30 years or beyond.