8 Reasons Why Burying Your Home Water Tank is a Smart Move Today
In the tropical lowlands of present-day Guatemala, the ancient Maya city of Tikal confronted a paradox. There was abundant seasonal rainfall paired with prolonged dry spells. To manage this, the Maya developed a sophisticated system of reservoirs—many of them underground or partially buried—to collect and store rainwater. They even plastered roads and plazas to funnel runoff into these storage basins, including repurposed quarries. These engineered systems allowed the city to support tens of thousands of inhabitants over centuries.
This early example of hydrological planning highlights the effectiveness of underground storage in buffering against seasonal variability. Today’s water engineers are returning to similar methods with climate change concerns mounting by the day. Underground water storage tanks are now used to improve water security, reduce evaporation loss, and optimize land use in urban environments.
Still not convinced?
Consider the harrowing experience of East Porterville, California. During California's severe multi-year drought starting in 2014, this small rural community faced an unimaginable crisis: hundreds of private wells ran completely dry. Families, like Yolanda Serrato's, suddenly had no running water for drinking, bathing, or even flushing toilets. The state had to truck in bottled water. Temporary holding tanks became a visible, painful symbol of their vulnerability.
Yet, this crisis spurred a monumental effort. Eventually, with significant investment and community effort, many homes were connected to a deeper, more resilient municipal water system, often relying on underground wells and distribution lines that were less susceptible to the surface drought.
But, why consider below-ground for water storage specifically? Well, let’s dive in.
Advantages of Underground Water Storage Units
Water storage is essential in many communities across the country and around the world. Whether you are someone who values preparedness or you have specific needs, you cannot afford having no strategy in matters of water.
There are many benefits to consider for choosing underground water storage. Experts are now urging cities to build their water reservoirs underground instead of above ground. The New York Times recently highlighted this shift—and as you’ll see in this article, there are good reasons why.
Below, we’ll explain how underground reservoirs are sometimes cheaper than traditional, above-ground options. Moreover, you will find a few more benefits to consider when deciding if underground water storage is right for you. Depending on where you live in the country, some of these benefits can be essential.
Temperature Stability: How Belowground Water Tanks Survive Freezing and Evaporation
Above-ground water storage tanks are vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. Hot temperatures can cause water to evaporate from the tanks and extreme cold can cause the water in the tanks to freeze. When water is stored underground, the earth provides insulation for the water inside. This means it is less likely to freeze or evaporate. This increases the ease of access to the water and reduces the risks of damage to your container should the water freeze inside.
Optimize Your Landscape: Reclaim Ground Space with Underground Water Tanks
When you store water tanks underground, you can use the real estate above the tanks for other things. Above-ground storage tanks can take up large volumes of space. The more water you need to store, the more space that water uses above ground. When you bury the tanks, though, that allows you to utilize the space above them for other purposes.
Do you fancy beautiful landscaping? You might appreciate how underground water containers can have the water storage you need without sacrificing your home view. In other words, underground water storage doesn’t become a landscaping challenge you have to overcome or somehow work into your overall design.
Rainwater Harvesting & Runoff Prevention: The Eco-Benefits of Underground Tanks
Collecting rainwater offers multiple benefits. First, it’s more sustainable than using freshwater supplies for plants in watering lawns and irrigation. Furthermore, it’s an economic approach for non-potable water use such as washing your car. Storing water underground isn’t just convenient—it also plays a key role in managing runoff. Reducing surface runoff helps prevent erosion. It also keeps harmful substances like fertilizers and chemical treatments from polluting clean water sources.
Ample Water Supply for Home Use: Storing Large Volumes Underground
Think of all the things you use water for daily. In addition to drinking water, the average household uses water for all the following purposes.
- Washing clothes
- Washing dishes
- Showering and bathing
- Washing cars
- Watering lawns
- Cooking
- Watering gardens
- Irrigation
It’s simple to install filtration systems to ensure the water is safe to use, while also preserving freshwater, saving money, and saving the planet in the process. Want to learn more about the prices of different residential water storage tanks? Check out our blog on How Much Does a Tank Cost.
Enhanced Water Conservation: Long-Term Storage Against Drought & Contamination
Floods and droughts have substantial effects on the water supply. For instance, flooding can cause widespread water well contamination. Droughts caused by extreme heat and dry weather can lead to evaporation. Because underground water storage containers store water well beneath the surface, the water inside isn’t vulnerable to heat the way it would be in above-ground storage containers.
This means it will last longer, helping to weather various water emergencies without the risk of running out of water, especially when you combine your water collection and storage efforts with sound water conservation techniques and tactics.
Emergency Preparedness: Guaranteed Water Access During Outages & Disasters
Cities everywhere have “boil water” emergencies when things go wrong at local water and filtration plants. Power outages for people who have well water can make that water inaccessible. These are all things your underground water storage tanks can guard against. You’ll have access to your stored water no matter what is going on in the world around you.
From major winter storms to hurricanes, and even extreme droughts with ongoing water restrictions, you still need access to water for all the things you do daily that require water usage. Having a significant source of water stored underground means you’ll have access to water even when those around you do not.
Fire Suppression Preparedness: Critical Water for Property Protection
In certain areas of the country, fire suppression is a growing concern. Reasonably, there is little that can be done to contain out-of-control wildfires. However, there are things you can do to keep a small fire from becoming an out-of-control wildfire.
Having access to additional water storage during fire emergencies is critical and can be the one thing that makes a world of difference. A reliable access to underground water storage for fire suppression is good for your property, wellbeing, and your community.
Agricultural Advantage: Water Security for Crop Irrigation & Livestock
Water is essential to all life. Humans, plants, and other animals depend on water to live. If you operate a small or large farm, a ranch, or any other type of livestock operation, you need to be able to effectively control the amount of water that gets to your animals and plants. Your stored water ought to be independent of what Mother Nature has in store.
The ability to store large volumes of water underground helps you avoid many potential contaminants in livestock water. Additionally, it ensures that the life on your farm and property has the water necessary to get through leaner water times.
Underground water storage containers make it possible to store the water you need for crop irrigation. At Tank Depot, we have the right solutions for when you want to haul water in your land, store water reliably for emergencies, or to simply store other liquids.
Hide Water in Plain Sight with Tank Depot
There are plenty of benefits to consider when it comes to having residential underground water storage on your property. The ones we talked about above are just a few of many that could be beneficial. Depending on where you live and your water needs, the benefits are boundless.
Visit one of our many locations or shop our underground water tanks online to find the perfect belowground fit for your home.
