Water storage tanks serve various functions, including maintaining water service pressure, providing emergency storage supply and pressure during power outages, and offering equalization volume to meet peak demands, such as fire flows and periods of high water usage throughout the day. Consistent flow rates are often preferred for wells, water treatment plants, and pump stations. Instead of adjusting treatment and pumping rates in real-time to meet instantaneous demands, equalization storage volume enables consistent operations by filling and draining storage volume to balance fluctuations.
When choosing a new water storage tank for your community or industry, several factors should be considered.
Traditionally, many water utilities have kept storage tanks full or nearly full to prepare for peak water use periods and emergencies like fires, resulting in storage facilities with greater capacity than necessary for non-emergency use. Additionally, some older storage facilities have overflow elevations lower than the system pressure, requiring pumps to transport water from the tank to the distribution system. Stagnant water in a tank can lead to water quality issues such as residual loss, thermal stratification in summer, and ice formation in winter due to long residence times.
Regardless of the tank facility type, it’s crucial to properly match the overflow elevation to the system pressure to allow the water surface within the tank to adjust according to system pressure. The water level in a storage tank typically fluctuates daily due to a fill-and-draw cycle, varying based on the storage facility’s size, real-time system demand, and distribution system location.
To ensure proper tank turnover and mixing, it’s essential for the water level in the tank to fluctuate several feet before the pump station begins operations or additional pumps are introduced.
Corrosion poses one of the most significant financial challenges for industrial facilities nationwide. The costs associated with corrosion are substantial, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars annually. However, there is positive news: corrosion can be prevented through the implementation of established maintenance practices, such as the use of protective coatings.
Corrosion protection for storage tanks plays a crucial role in preventing leaks, environmental disasters, fires, explosions, workplace injuries, unexpected downtime, and costly repairs. Selecting the most effective coatings and application techniques for your storage tank is one method of providing this protection.
Advantages of Tank Lining
To solve any problem, it’s essential to have a thorough understanding of the issue and its origins. Corrosion, in its broadest sense, involves the deterioration of metals due to their interaction with the environment. When corrosion affects a storage tank, various contents such as produce, potable water, chemicals, crude oil, clean petroleum products, and other substances undergo a chemical reaction upon contact with the tank’s surface, leading to internal corrosion and rusting.
Tank lining serves as a solution not only to address existing corrosion but also to prevent its occurrence. This involves the application of coating products to the interior of storage tanks, commonly used to protect tanks from damage caused by corrosion and to maintain their structural integrity.
Protective linings not only sustain the operational efficiency of storage tanks but also significantly decrease overall maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of storage solutions such as silos, bins, and containers. Additionally, most tank linings possess antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can hinder the growth and spread of microorganisms, thus preventing premature spoilage and associated health and safety risks.
Types of Linings for Storage Tanks
Several tank liners are available in the market. Here’s an overview of the typical types and their advantages:
Epoxy
Epoxy tank coatings consist of epoxy material renowned for its chemical resistance. These coatings are sturdy and aggressive, making them suitable for use in high-temperature environments. With epoxy’s moisture resistance and absence of solvents, it proves to be an ideal choice for water tanks.
Epoxy linings are available in three main formulations: Epoxy Novolac, Bisphenol A, and Bisphenol F, each providing distinct advantages. Epoxy Novolac offers excellent chemical resistance, while Bisphenol F provides more versatile functionality, and Bisphenol A boasts higher viscosity and resistance to high temperatures. Additionally, Epoxy Novolac is solvent-free, making it particularly suitable for eco-friendly projects.
Polyurethane
Polyurethanes have been specifically designed to withstand a wide range of chemical and mechanical stresses, such as abrasion, puncture, and corrosion. Their outstanding durability renders them highly efficient in protecting against various elements, even in the most demanding environments. Particularly well-suited for concrete structures, polyurethanes provide flexibility while retaining strength, making them a versatile option for a variety of applications.
Fluoropolymers
Fluoropolymers offer a variety of beneficial characteristics, such as a low friction coefficient, high impact resistance, strong tensile strength, and outstanding resistance to corrosion, permeation, abrasion, and high temperatures. These attributes make them ideal for lining storage tanks, as well as other components like transport vessels and pipes.
Vinyl Ester
Vinyl ester liners, made from vinyl, provide some of the most robust defenses against chemical infiltration and contamination. Because of their exceptional resilience to temperature and chemical harm, these liners are widely employed in numerous chemical industries.
Cementitious Liners
Cementitious linings fall into two primary categories: epoxy and polymer-modified cementitious linings. These materials are extensively utilized in lining concrete tanks used for water treatment and chemical storage. They are especially suitable for waterproofing retaining or collection structures submerged underwater.

Zinc Tank Liners
A zinc tank liner, made from zinc silicate, possesses anti-corrosive characteristics. Its additives and binders can effectively function as waterproofing material. With a high zinc dust content, these liners promote zinc-to-zinc contact, creating protective layers similar to those found in galvanizing. Although these linings are non-porous, cleaning them can be difficult. Nevertheless, they maintain the ability to securely contain chemicals.
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Call Panel Tanks by American Tanks at +1 800 656 0167
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1305 W 11th St #4087 Houston, TX 77008 USA
3711 Long Beach blvd Suite 4057 4th Floor # 1079 Long Beach, CA 90807 USA