Using an ibc tank as a water tank can be a smart, low-cost way to store larger volumes on site – but only if you understand the limits. Keep reading and you’ll learn when it’s suitable, when it is not, and how to manage safety and compliance. Skip it, and you risk contamination, leaks, or unexpected regulatory issues.

Potable vs non-potable: start with the purpose

The first question is simple: what will the water be used for? If it is for drinking or food production, the standards are very different from water used for irrigation, washdown, or certain process duties.

For drinking water or food-contact applications, you should only consider a new, clearly food-grade ibc tank specified for potable use. Even then, local regulations and water hygiene guidance still apply, including cleaning, testing, and limits on storage time.

For non-potable water – such as rainwater harvesting, equipment washdown, or some process water – you have more flexibility. Reconditioned or rebottled units may be appropriate, provided previous contents were compatible and the container has been cleaned and inspected by a reputable specialist.

Previous contents matter more than appearance

An IBC might look clean from the outside but still be completely unsuitable for water. Products stored in the bottle can permeate or bind to the plastic, then slowly leach out into whatever you put in next.

If an ibc tank has ever held hazardous chemicals, fuels, or other aggressive liquids, it should not be used for any water that might contact people, animals, or crops. No amount of casual rinsing can guarantee that residues have been fully removed. For that reason, always treat the product history as a safety-critical factor, not a detail.

Choosing the right specification

Once you’re clear about the end use and history, you can focus on the technical details. For water storage, key points include:

• Bottle material – Standard HDPE is widely used and suitable for many non-potable applications. Food-grade variants are needed where potable standards apply.
  
  
• Pallet type – Plastic pallets perform well in damp environments and are easier to keep tidy in plant rooms or food-adjacent areas than timber.
  
  
• Valve and fittings – Choose outlet sizes and threads that match your hoses, pumps, or pipework. A poor connection point is where leaks and contamination often occur.
  
  

If you plan to link containers in series or feed them into a fixed system, check that the ibc tank, valves, and accessories are all rated for the pressures and flows involved.

Site setup, support and protection

How you position and protect your containers has a big impact on long-term performance. Place each ibc tank on a stable, level surface that can support the weight of a full unit; remember that 1,000 litres of water alone weighs around a tonne, before you add the container itself.

If used outdoors, think about UV exposure and weather. Prolonged sunlight can degrade plastic over time, while frost can damage fittings and valves. Shade, covers, or a simple shelter can extend the useful life of the bottle and keep algae growth down. In sensitive locations, bunded bases or drip trays may be necessary to capture any overflows.

Cleaning, inspection and maintenance

Even with “clean” water applications, you cannot simply fill an IBC and forget about it. Over time, sludge, sediment, or microbial growth can build up, especially if the container stands for long periods or is exposed to warmth and light.

Build basic checks into your routine: look for bulging, cracks, discolouration, damaged cages, leaking valves, or off-odours. Any ibc tank showing these signs should be taken out of service and assessed. Periodic draining, cleaning, and drying can help maintain water quality, especially where the water feeds into process equipment or spray systems.

Regulations and responsibilities

If water from your storage system is used on a commercial site, at events, or anywhere the public might be exposed, additional health and safety, water hygiene, and environmental rules may apply. These can cover everything from legionella control to safe discharge of overflows.

It is your responsibility to check what applies in your sector and location. A low-cost setup that ignores these requirements can create more risk than it removes, particularly around potable water and public access areas.

Bringing it all together

Using IBCs for water storage can be a practical solution, but only when you match container choice and setup to the intended use. The right ibc tank, with a known history, correct specification, and sensible maintenance plan, can support everything from rainwater harvesting to site washdown. The wrong choice can introduce contamination, damage equipment, or leave you exposed to compliance.

If you are planning or reviewing a water storage project, start by defining the purpose of the water, then map the standards that apply. From there, you can select appropriate containers, fittings, and site arrangements – and explore more detailed guides or supplier advice to refine the setup. Taking that time now is far easier than dealing with the consequences of a poorly chosen or poorly managed tank later on.