Tips for Choosing the Best Rainwater Tanks for Your Farm

If your farm is in a region with little annual rainfall, you cannot solely depend on the rain to meet your agricultural water demand. Municipal water, even if accessible, wouldn't be ideal because of the high water bill it attracts in the long run.

With a rainwater harvesting system, you can capture the rain falling on your roof and store it in a large water tank for later use. But first, you should determine which rainwater tank is best for your needs.

Rainwater tanks come in all shapes and sizes to cater to different needs. Use the following information to find the best one for your farming needs.

Tank type

Rainwater tanks can be categorised based on their construction material and installation method. The main rainwater tank types by construction material include concrete, metal, fibreglass and polyethylene. In terms of installation method, all rainwater tanks are either underground or aboveground units.

When shopping for a rainwater tank for your agricultural water storage, you should find one that meets your requirements for maintenance, durability and water safety.

For example, a metal tank may not be the best option for your coastal farm owing to its susceptibility to rust damage. Tank materials like concrete, polyethylene and fibreglass are good metal alternatives because they won't catch rust. 

If your farm is in a region prone to wildfires, you may want to avoid polyethylene rainwater tanks because they catch fire quickly.

Tank size 

Although rainwater tanks are generally large, they come in different sizes to match the water storage needs of users. Unfortunately, rainwater tank sizing isn't as simple as choosing the largest tank size you can afford.

To determine the correct tank size, you'll need to consider many factors, including the following:

• The average annual rainfall in your region 
• Your roof's area
• Your farm's water demand 
• The amount of space available for tank installation

No matter your farm water demand, you can only capture and store as much rainwater as your roof size and the local rainfall pattern allow. Also, you can only add a tank that fits the space available on your property.

Adding a rainwater tank can significantly improve your farm yield by ensuring an adequate water supply for your agricultural needs. That said, proper tank selection and installation are necessary to maximise returns on investment.

Reach out to a company in your area for help with an agricultural rainwater tank.