Whether you are interested in a water or liquid containment system for personal or commercial use, buyers must be aware of the significant difference between a potable tank and a non-potable tank. Simply put, a potable containment unit is manufactured to safe consumption standards. Potable units require adherence to water regulations, including measures to prevent contamination, leaking, and exposure. Failure to meet potable standards puts the user at risk for illness, poisoning, or infection. This common-sense distinction is why some tanks are expressly labeled for non-potable use. Non-potable does not mean it's unusable for water storage. Still, water contained within must first be filtered and purified before consumption. Non-potable containers are also the default secure storage systems for liquid contaminants and chemicals. Liquid storage encompasses both ends of the spectrum: safe water reservoirs and hazardous containment units.
For industrial purposes, liquid containment equipment is necessary on the job site. While we often associate construction with lumber and concrete, solid building materials and hardware are often accompanied by chemical solvents: paint thinner, lubricant, oils, adhesives, and formaldehyde. Even paint must be disposed of safely. Why is correct liquid waste disposal so critical? Foremost, we must consider human health. Leaks, spills, and runoff can contaminate groundwater and surface water sources that we use for drinking. Some chemical contaminants may bypass standard filtration methods and cause gastrointestinal harm, poisoning, and more severe illness. More immediately, employees exposed to liquid waste on the job site, either through contact with their skin or from fumes, can suffer from short-term as well as long-term health issues. Liquid containment units must be used in conjunction with personal protection equipment.
We can also mitigate the effect of liquid contaminants on our environment with proper non-potable containment tanks. Like our drinking water, chemicals and other contaminants left exposed in the environment kill plant life, damage arable soils, and pose a substantial threat to aquatic ecosystems. Chemical pollutants found in the dead zone along the Gulf of Mexico have created hypoxic conditions in the reef. Too little oxygen along the gulf's coast has caused irreversible damage to local marine life. On a smaller scale, liquid pollution from construction sites can cause offensive odors and damage air quality. Non-potable tanks protect neighborhoods and our environment at large.
Potable and Non-potable tanks are manufactured in various materials from metal to plastics; however, polyethylene has several advantages over the alternatives. Polyethylene tanks are composed of non-corrosive materials and won't rust, making them ideal for water storage. See our Snyder 1400000N42 525 gallon tank. By using an injection-molding method of manufacture, polyethylene tanks are seamless. They don't require rivets or weld points which make metal tanks particularly susceptible to leaks. Yet polyethylene is not recommended for all material disposal. Some solvents weaken plastic material. It is recommended not to store strong oxidizers in plastic-- seek a metal tank.
Outside of their intended commercial use, these tanks have many applications. Non-potable tanks have long been used as a gardener's favorite for rain catchment. More interestingly, modern off-grid construction, with an emphasis on sustainable and self-reliant solutions, has seen an increase in the use of non-potable tanks. Polyethylene tanks are an inventive alternative to public sewage and septic. These tanks allow homeowners to collect white water, repurpose gray water, and safely dispose of organic black water. The tank's versatility lies in its lightweight portability and flexible material. Accessories are easy to attach to tanks to create spouts and filtration plumbing tracts. Do opt for a dark green or black colored tank, like the 1625 Gallon Black Non-Potable Water Tank-- conveniently installed on its trailer-- which can even prevent algae growth due to exposure to light. Dark-colored tanks naturally also take advantage of solar energy to heat your water.
See how construction companies in Auckland take advantage of non-potable tanks to conserve resources during the drought. Contact General Equipment and Supply about sourcing discount tanks for your own sustainable water supply.
Source: Watercare
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