Water Storage Solutions (Tanks, Towers, Reservoirs)
By Bestcare Borehole Drilling
A borehole that produces excellent yield is still vulnerable to supply gaps without adequate storage. Water storage solutions buffer against pump downtime, power outages, and peak demand periods, which is why sizing and installing the right tank, tower, or reservoir is treated as its own engineering task at Bestcare Borehole Drilling, not a generic add-on.
Getting storage right means matching capacity to actual daily demand, choosing the right structure type for the site, and making sure elevation and plumbing integration deliver usable pressure at every outlet.
Processes Involved in Water Storage Installation
| # | Process | What It Involves |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demand & Capacity Assessment | Calculating required storage volume from usage patterns |
| 2 | Storage Type Selection | Choosing between surface tanks, elevated towers, or reservoirs |
| 3 | Site Preparation & Foundation Work | Ground leveling, base construction, or tower footing |
| 4 | Tank/Tower Installation | Assembly and positioning of the storage structure |
| 5 | Inlet, Outlet & Overflow Plumbing | Connecting supply lines, distribution outlets, and overflow protection |
| 6 | Testing & Commissioning | Leak checks, fill testing, and pressure verification |
1. Demand & Capacity Assessment
We calculate storage requirements based on household size, commercial usage, or agricultural demand, factoring in typical borehole recovery rates and how many hours of buffer storage should provide against pump downtime or power interruption.
2. Storage Type Selection
Surface tanks work well for gravity-limited sites or where ground space is available; elevated towers provide pressure through gravity feed without relying on booster pumps; reservoirs suit larger-scale agricultural or institutional storage needs. We advise based on site topography, available space, and pressure requirements at delivery points.
3. Site Preparation & Foundation Work
Tanks and towers need a level, stable, and adequately compacted base to prevent settling or tipping once filled. For elevated towers, this means proper footing and structural foundation work rated for the full weight of the tank when at capacity, which is substantial and often underestimated.
4. Tank/Tower Installation
Depending on the chosen structure, this covers assembly of plastic or steel tanks, erection of tower stands, or construction of masonry/concrete reservoirs. Structural integrity and correct leveling are checked at every stage before the structure is considered ready for plumbing connection.
5. Inlet, Outlet & Overflow Plumbing
Proper storage installation includes float valves to control filling, correctly sized outlet connections for distribution demand, and overflow piping directed safely away from foundations to prevent water damage or erosion around the base.
6. Testing & Commissioning
Before handover, we test the full fill-and-draw cycle, confirm float valve operation, check for leaks at every joint, and verify that pressure at distribution points meets expected levels, particularly important for elevated tower installations relying on gravity feed.
Estimated Cost of Water Storage Solutions
| Service | Estimated Cost (KES) |
|---|---|
| Demand assessment & design | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Plastic tank (5,000L) | 45,000 – 65,000 |
| Plastic tank (10,000L) | 85,000 – 120,000 |
| Steel tower stand (per metre height) | 15,000 – 30,000 |
| Concrete/masonry reservoir (per m³) | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| Inlet/outlet/overflow plumbing | 15,000 – 40,000 |
| Full installation (tank + tower + plumbing) | 120,000 – 350,000 |
Costs scale significantly with tank capacity, tower height, and reservoir volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much storage capacity does an average household need? A common rule of thumb is 2–3 days of average demand, though this varies with household size and borehole reliability.
2. Is an elevated tower necessary, or can a ground tank work with a booster pump? Both work; towers provide pressure through gravity without ongoing pump running costs, while ground tanks with boosters offer more flexibility on siting.
3. How often should storage tanks be cleaned? Plastic tanks should generally be cleaned every 6–12 months to prevent sediment buildup and maintain water quality.
4. Can existing tanks be integrated into a new tower or plumbing system? Yes, in many cases existing tanks can be repositioned or connected into an upgraded system rather than replaced entirely.
5. What’s the lifespan of a typical plastic storage tank? Quality plastic tanks typically last 15–20 years when properly installed and shielded from direct sun exposure.
5 Reasons to Choose Bestcare Borehole Drilling
- Capacity calculated, not guessed — storage sizing is based on real usage data, not a generic tank size recommendation.
- Structural attention to foundations — tower and reservoir foundations are built to handle full-capacity weight safely.
- Complete plumbing integration — inlet, outlet, and overflow are engineered together, not installed piecemeal.
- Material flexibility — we work with plastic, steel, and masonry solutions depending on what actually fits the site and budget.
- Tested before handover — every installation is fill-tested and pressure-checked before we consider the job complete.
