Homeowners
Cisterns
Water Cisterns are generally used at sites where there is not viable well water and no availability of municipal services. There is growing use of low pressure pipe for delivery of municipal water services which requires a form of water cistern known as a ‘trickle tank’. A common cistern is filled by removing an access cap at grade and placing a supply hose connected to a tank truck. A trickle tank is filled by a connection to the municipal service, usually controlled by a float valve within the tank.
Cisterns are typically buried with approximately four feet of earth cover, keeping the water cool and clear while protecting the tank and contents from freezing in winter. A submersible jet pump in the cistern is connected to a pressure tank and control switch located inside the house. An alternative arrangement is to locate a variable demand pump in the tank, providing a simpler arrangement and constant tap pressure but at a higher cost.
One important factor to consider in sizing a cistern is the expected water demands of the household, which is influenced by the number, age, gender, and behaviors of the residents and by the characteristics of the installed plumbing fixtures. Another important sizing factor is the hauling capacity and pricing patterns of commercial water haulers serving the area. Many districts in Alberta are served by water haulers with 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of capacity. More than one month supply in the tank is not desirable; less than one week supply is inconvenient.
Click on the models below for technical information about popular water cisterns from Tanks-A-Lot Ltd. Contact us for additional information on other tank models and applications.
Model |
Capacity |
Applications |
| 750HC | 750 gallons; 3400 liters | RV Lot or Seasonal Use Cabins; Trickle Tank |
| 1020HC | 1020 gallons; 4600 liters |
RV Lots or Seasonal Use Cabins; Remote Location with Water Saving Fixtures; Trickle Tank |
| 1518HC | 1518 gallons; 5400 liters |
2 to 4 residents, receives ½ load from large water hauler; Trickle Tank |
2200 gallons; 10,000 liters |
2 to 6 residents, receives full load from small water hauler |
|
2700 gallons; 12,300 liters |
3 to 8 residents, receives full load from medium water hauler |
|
3200 gallons; 14,000 liters |
4 to 10 residents, receives full load from large water hauler |
|
3400 gallons; 15,500 liters |
4 to 10 residents, receives full load from large water hauler and supply cushion |
|
3700 gallons; 16,800 liters |
4 to 10 residents, receives full load from large water hauler and supply cushion |
All water cisterns from Tanks-A-Lot have the following industry-leading features:
- Cisterns can be upgraded with Xypex or Kryton brand microcrystalline sealant mixed right into the concrete, making it virtually impermeable.
- Raised lip manhole on roof of tank for superior sealing of manhole extensions
- Threaded 1.25" brass outlet for superior connection of pressure lines to the pump and to the house supply line
- Cold seam one-piece construction locks in the tank roof for superior strength and longevity of the tank
- 20 year limited replacement warranty on materials and workmanship
- Concrete overlapping style manway cover and one roll of non-toxic butyl rubber sealant for manway extension included at no extra cost
