With water becoming one of the scarcest resources on planet Earth, the age of the water storage tank has arrived. Water tanks are necessary to ensure a reliable source of clean water should the municipal pipes run dry. We receive tonnes of water tank questions every week, so this article looks to answer some of these. Got a question we haven’t answered below? Connect with SBS Tanks today and we’ll gladly shed some light for you!
What is a water tank?
Simply put, a water tank is a container that can hold and store liquids (in this case, water).
What is a rainwater tank?
This is a water tank that has been hooked up to a building’s gutter system to capture and store rainwater.
Are all water tanks round?
While most residential and industrial water tanks are cylindrical, water tanks can be rectangular, square, spherical and even triangular!
How big is a water tank?
How long is a piece of string? Water tanks range from small 100-litre tanks through to massive water storage tanks like our huge 2Ml (ST31-06) water tank installed for the Theewaterskloof Municipality.
What are water tanks made from?
It depends on the size and location of the water tank. Most residential water tanks are plastic, while our SBS Tanks are made from long-lasting Zincalume®.
Can water tanks be used for grey water?
Most certainly! The only difference between grey water and fresh water is that grey water has been used already (dish washing, bathing, etc). Grey water can be stored in a water tank, just be sure not to drink from it!
Where can water tanks be used?
Water tanks are commonly installed at manufacturing plants, factories, schools, hotels, government buildings, rural communities and at residential homes. Wherever people use water, that’s where a water tank can be used.
Do water tanks require maintenance?
Not really, however we at SBS Tanks suggest you get someone to take a look at your water tank at least once a year.
Are water tank installations DIY?
Smaller water tanks are relatively easy to install yourself, however we at SBS Tanks recommend getting your water tank installed by industry professionals.
Does a water tank have to be covered?
Yes, it does. This ensures that the water remains clean and free from bugs, leaves, twigs and other things that could cause trouble within the water tank itself.
A water storage tank is a good idea in any context (especially in South Africa at the moment). Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right, and SBS Tanks is whole-heartedly committed to ensuring that all South Africans have access to this precious commodity. Connect with SBS Tanks today and find out how our water tanks can make a difference in your community!
© SBS Holdings 2026
