Using a concrete cistern allows you to bury the tank much farther down in the ground than poly tanks allow. Great for heavy clay areas. For all cisterns, backfill must be complete before filling with liquid. Allow cistern sealants a minimum of 24 hours to settle before filling above the joint. 18,150L (4,000 gal) or larger cisterns dig size must be a minimum of 271” long x 174” wide as they must be assembled on-site. The exterior of the tank must remain completely dry during the entire assembly process. Any moisture present will not allow the membrane to adhere.
Cistern tanks are available starting at 1000 GAL.
Risers and accessories are available.
What is a Cistern?
A cistern is a large, waterproof tank that stores water for domestic use or consumption. They are commonly used to collect rainwater from impervious surfaces, such as roofs made of asphalt shingle, slate, or sheet metal. They can also be filled by a water delivery truck.
Cisterns can be used for a variety of purposes, including: Flushing toilets, Watering gardens and lawns, and Supplementing water from wells. Cisterns can be a good option for rural homes without access to a municipal water supply. However, there are some things to consider when using a cistern, such as:
Water treatment
If you plan to use the water for drinking, you should install a disinfectant system. You can also install filters to clean the water before it reaches your home.
Maintenance
Cisterns should be cleaned annually. This involves draining the water, removing any dirt, scrubbing the walls, and refilling the tank. You should also check the cistern for cracks or erosion while it's empty.
Roofing materials
Some roofing materials, such as painted surfaces, some wood shingles, and some asphalt shingles, may impart an objectionable taste, colour, or contamination to the collected rainwater.
What Size is Right For My House?
If used efficiently, cistern owners will still consume an average of approximately 30 gallons daily per person. The average individual can use up to 55 gallons daily. Using this math, a family of four being conservative with their water will use at least 120 gallons daily, or 3600 gallons monthly.
Property size
For large homes and properties with extensive landscaping, you might need a cistern of at least 10,000 gallons. For most homes, 1,500–3,000 gallons is usually enough.
Annual precipitation
If your area has an average of 36 inches of rain per year, you can use a guide to calculate the size of your tank. If your area's rainfall varies a lot by month, you can multiply your roof's square footage by 0.6, then by the highest monthly precipitation.
Water delivery
Consider how often a water delivery truck will need to refill your cistern. A family of four with a 3,000 gallon tank will require a delivery roughly every three weeks.
Depending on your water usage, number of people in your household, and if you have a secondary water source such as rainwater collection, you may be able to use a smaller tank. Water can become stale if stored for too long, so having it filled frequently will create a more enjoyable experience.
Tracking Your Water Level
There are some traditional methods available of measuring the water level of a cistern tank, however, they tend to be much less accurate that modern technological options. The stick method consists of dipping a long stick or pole into your tank to see how deep the water level is. Others simply guess based on time and familiarity with their usage.
Our recommendation would be the PTLevel which can accurately measure your water level and be tracked on your phone. This allows to you access real-time measurements, and order the exact quantity of water you need.
Still searching for the correct cistern or septic tank? View the rest of our tank options here. You can also view Concrete Cistern frequently asked questions.
*Always check with your municipal requirements prior to installation.