How to choose a non-potable pillow tank
- Confirm nobody will drink it. Non-potable tanks suit rainwater, grey water, irrigation, construction process and dust-control water, and pool water held during repairs. If the water is for drinking, choose from potable pillow tanks instead, which use a drinking water fabric.
- Size to the peak. Pick the capacity the job must hold at its fullest. SITE TANKS sizes run from 25 to 250,000 gallons, with steps such as 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 20,000 gallons.
- Measure the footprint. A filled bladder spreads wide and stays low. The sizing chart in the temporary water tank guide lists a 1,000 gallon tank at about 108 by 132 inches and 16 inches high, and a 10,000 gallon tank at about 23 by 21 feet and 3 feet high.
- Check the fabric for the job. Match the fabric to the liquid and to how long it will stay in the tank. Thicker fabrics suit long-term storage and demanding conditions.
- Prepare the ground. Clear a flat, clean area with no sharp objects, and lay a ground cloth to guard against abrasion and ground moisture. Outdoors, shade the tank or use a sunscreen liner to prevent UV damage.
Non-potable pillow tank questions
What does contact time mean on a pillow tank? Contact time marks when the fabric may start to change from weathering or from what it stores. It is not a lifespan, and tanks often last well beyond it. Standard fabrics fall into three bands: 1 year for about 22 oz fabric, 3 to 5 years for about 30 oz, and 7 years for 33 oz or heavier.
Can I collect rainwater in a non-potable pillow tank? Yes. A fill hose runs from your downspout to one fitting, with a filter to keep leaves and debris out, and a discharge hose on a second fitting, often with a pump, moves the water for reuse. The low profile lets a pillow tank fit in crawl spaces, basements or under a deck. See rain water storage tanks.
Can I move a pillow tank once it is full? No. Move it only when empty, when it folds or rolls up for transport. Once filled, the water weight holds it in place, so set it exactly where you want it before you start filling, on ground you have already cleared.
What fittings come on a pillow tank? The standard fitting is a 2 inch bulkhead with cap and nipple, and adapters can be added to match your hoses. Most smaller pillow tanks have two bulkhead fittings, one on top and one on the side, so a fill hose and a discharge hose can be connected at the same time.
Can a non-potable pillow tank hold liquids other than water? Pillow tank fabrics exist for brine, process and production water, hydraulic fracturing liquids and diesel fuel, as WST's guide to high capacity water tanks explains. The SITE TANKS models here are sold for non-potable water, so confirm the fabric suits any other liquid before you order.
