If your home water is not supplied through the mains system you are likely to have access to local natural resources. This enables you to use spring water shafts to capture natural water that can be redirected into storage tanks. These are known as potable tanks and in this article we explain more about what they and the benefits they can provide.
What’s a potable water tank?
The word ‘potable’ is derived from the Latin word ‘potare’ which means ‘to drink’. This effectively means that potable water tanks are able to store water that can be drunk by humans. To ensure their safety, these types of tanks must remain in-line with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and are monitored by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS).
Before any tank is put onto the market for sale they have to be submitted to WRAS for testing, approval and accreditation. Once approved, the tank is given a certificate to confirm it is safe to use by the public.
What is a spring water shaft?
A spring water shaft is an easy-to-install device used to harvest spring water and feed it into a potable tank. It comes with a telescopic dome shaft to support installation at varying depths and is sealed up to ground level. The device is stored underground and helps maintain the constant supply of fresh water to your household.
What are non-potable tanks?
When you are searching for water tanks you will notice they are listed as either being potable or non-potable. While a potable water tank can be used to store water for human consumption, a non-potable tank cannot.
A non-potable tank is typically used as part of a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store water for use in the garden and for chores around the home. This is an environmentally friendly way to reduce the amount of water you use along with bills (if you have a water meter).
What types of potable water tanks are available?
GRAF have three types of potable water tanks that are suitable for use at home.
- Carat XL potable water tank – Made from food-safe, durable polyethylene, the Carat XL can hold up to 10,000 litres of drinking water. It comes with a test certificate that confirms it has been approved for use and a 15-year warranty to ensure fantastic value for money. The Carat XL is intended for installation underground, while remaining easy to access whenever needed.
- Platin potable water tank – The Plating potable water tank is available in three sizes – 1,500, 3,000 or 5,000 litres – and also comes with a 15-year warranty and test certificate. Similarly, this potable tank is to be installed underground and is made from polyethylene.
- Diamant drinking water reservoir – The Diamant tank has a different range of storage options, with sizes of 2,200, 3,350, 4,800 and 6,500 litres available. This is a popular choice due to the relatively small sizes that makes it easy to transport and install underground. The tank is made from polyethylene and also comes with a test certificate.
