A water tank can ensure that your property always has water even when there is an interruption from the city's water supply for any reason. It can also reduce your water bill if you use collected water to water your lawn or garden or for flushing your toilet and washing your car or other such vehicles. Not all water tanks are alike, and you may be surprised at your options when you start to shop, so you want to ensure you choose the right type for your needs. Note a few important questions to ask when you're ready to buy a water tank.

1. Is the tank approved for drinking water?

Even if you boil or otherwise filter and treat water you store in your tank before you drink it, you may be legally required to have the tank approved by the government for drinking water. This may mean a tank that is specially coated, made of plastic, and so on.

You may also not be allowed to have a secondhand tank that was once used to store chemicals or other hazardous materials. If you're only going to be storing the water for watering your lawn or washing your car or farm equipment, you may not need to have such an approved tank, but for drinking, be sure you know the requirements and only choose a tank that is approved for drinking water.

2. Ask about maximum temperatures and sun exposure

If you're choosing an above ground tank, you want to ensure you know the maximum temperature a tank can withstand before a purchase if it won't have shade or covering of any sort. Even being exposed to direct sunlight during summer months can damage the tank and affect the quality of the water in the tank. You also don't want a tank that you might store near an area where you cook or otherwise have higher heat if it's plastic or cannot withstand that heat.

3. Ask if the tank has a marking for maximum capacity in freezing weather

Whether you're putting a tank above ground or underground, you want to ensure you leave enough room in the tank for water to expand as it freezes. If this is a concern of yours, ask if the tank has a marking for maximum capacity in freezing weather. This will ensure you can keep the tank safe and won't damage the connectors or seams by allowing the water to expand too far as it freezes, putting undue pressure on the tank itself.

For more information about choosing a water tank, contact a local supplier like Williams & Jackson.