Match pumping to demand
A tank can allow a pump to operate at practical times while users draw water throughout the day. The right volume depends on daily demand and source recovery.
Service Overview
Water Storage: a practical guide for Kenyan projects
Storage design begins with demand patterns and the source’s reliable refill rate. A tank sized only by property area or by a standard rule may not provide a useful reserve or may add unnecessary cost. The design should consider daily use, peak periods, pumping hours, interruption tolerance, fire or process requirements where relevant, and how water will be distributed to points of use.
Structural safety and hydraulics matter as much as tank volume. Elevated tanks impose loads on a support structure and foundation, while ground-level tanks may need booster pumps. Pipe size, overflow, drainage, access, inspection and safe cleaning arrangements should be addressed in the drawings and installation scope. Storage must also protect water quality through suitable covers, screened vents and sanitary connections.
Benefits
What a well-planned water storage project can deliver
Provide a planned reserve
Storage can support essential use during supply interruptions or maintenance. The reserve target should be stated clearly for domestic, institutional or commercial requirements.
Improve distribution planning
Elevated storage can support gravity distribution where site elevations allow, while ground storage with a booster arrangement can meet other pressure needs.
Protect water quality and assets
Correct covers, overflow routing, foundations and access provisions help protect the stored water and make inspection safer and easier.
Our Process
From first assessment to handover
Measure demand and supply
Estimate daily and peak use, source refill capacity, operating schedule and the required duration of reserve.
Select tank and location
Choose material, capacity, elevation and siting based on water quality, land layout, access and distribution needs.
Design support and connections
Specify the foundation or tower, inlet and outlet, overflow, drainage, isolation valves and pump arrangements.
Install and commission
Construct the base or stand, install the tank and pipework, verify stability and function, and hand over maintenance guidance.
Equipment & Technical Scope
Equipment selected for the site and the job
A storage installation may include polyethylene, steel or other suitable tanks, elevated steel stands, reinforced concrete bases, pump houses, transfer pumps, level controls, valves and reticulation pipework. The tank and support are selected for the project load and conditions. Where elevated structures are proposed, the design should account for water weight, wind exposure, foundation and safe access.
Controls can include float switches, level indicators, overflow protection and pump dry-run safeguards. Pipework should allow isolation and cleaning while keeping the stored supply protected from contamination. Equipment and material specifications should be recorded, and the client should know how to inspect the structure, clean the tank and respond to leaks or control faults.
Planning Advice
Sizing water storage for a home, school or farm
List the uses served by the tank and estimate a realistic daily volume. For institutions, account for occupancy and operating days; for farms, separate domestic demand from livestock or irrigation. Identify peak draw periods and essential uses that need priority during an interruption.
Compare demand with the source’s tested or dependable supply rate and planned pumping hours. A borehole that yields slowly may need storage to accumulate water between peak periods. A system with daytime solar pumping may need capacity to carry water into evening use. These relationships are more useful than selecting a tank from a generic property-size chart.
Finally, evaluate site elevation, structural support, hygiene and maintenance access. A tank should be safely supported, protected from contamination and easy to isolate for cleaning. Ask for a sketch showing connections, overflow route, valves and the relationship between pump, tank and distribution points.
Technical Considerations
Important decisions for a successful project
Use a demand profile
List users and activities across a typical day, then identify peak periods and essential uses. Schools, estates, farms and processing sites have different demand patterns, weekends or seasonal variations. Separate domestic use, cleaning, livestock, irrigation and process water where appropriate. A demand profile helps determine useful storage capacity and whether separate tanks or priority distribution zones would improve resilience.
Match storage with source recovery
Compare the borehole’s tested or dependable delivery rate with the amount of water consumed each day. A slowly recovering source may need a tank that fills gradually, while a high-demand site may need scheduled pumping or multiple storage stages. A tank cannot increase groundwater availability. Design the operating plan to avoid drawing the borehole faster than the established sustainable rate.
Check structural and site conditions
An elevated tank and its contents create significant loads that must be supported by an appropriately designed structure and foundation. Consider ground conditions, wind, corrosion exposure, access for construction and safe inspection. Do not rely on a visual estimate of a stand’s capacity. Request design information, material specifications and any applicable engineering review before construction begins.
Protect stored water
Use a suitable tank with a secure cover, protected inlet and screened vent. Route overflows away from foundations and prevent surface water from entering the tank. Include drain and isolation arrangements that allow cleaning without contaminating connected pipework. Tank material, fittings and cleaning procedures should suit the intended use and any applicable water-quality requirements.
Plan distribution and maintenance
Storage only helps if the pipe network can deliver the required pressure and flow. Map the pump, tank, valves, outlets and any booster arrangement, and include isolation points for repair. Establish an inspection and cleaning schedule, check float controls and overflow, and monitor for leaks. Clear labels and a simple system diagram make maintenance easier for future operators.
Relevant Experience
Portfolio context: storage varies by use and site
The published project portfolio includes institutions such as East University Kitengela and commercial or infrastructure settings involving Sigma Feeds and China Road and Bridges Company. Their water-storage needs cannot be assumed to be identical: occupancy, process demand, delivery pressure and outage tolerance differ.
For a new installation, define the supply rate and demand first, then document tank volume, support design and reticulation scope. Portfolio references do not imply a standard storage capacity or structural design.
Explore projects and client sectorsClient Feedback
A reliable process matters
“The team was professional from survey to drilling and equipping. Their guidance made the process easy to understand, and the water supply has been excellent ever since.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about water storage
How large should my water tank be?
Tank capacity depends on daily demand, source refill rate, pumping schedule, reserve needs and the space available. A borehole yield test and a demand estimate provide a better basis than a universal size recommendation.
Should I install an elevated or ground-level tank?
An elevated tank may provide gravity pressure where topography and stand height are suitable. A ground-level tank can be paired with a booster pump. Structural cost, pressure requirements, maintenance access and land conditions determine the better option.
What tank material is suitable?
Material selection depends on capacity, water quality, exposure, structural arrangement, maintenance and budget. Confirm that the selected tank is suitable for the intended water use and installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Does storage improve borehole yield?
No. Storage does not increase the aquifer’s sustainable yield. It buffers timing between pumping and use. Pumping should remain within the tested capacity of the borehole.
What controls are useful?
Level indicators, float switches, pump controls, overflow protection and dry-run safeguards can help operate the system reliably. Control selection depends on the pump arrangement and whether tanks fill by gravity or transfer pumping.
How should a water tank be maintained?
Inspect the tank, support, pipe connections, overflow and controls regularly. Clean the tank using appropriate procedures and protect openings from insects, debris and contamination. Structural inspection frequency depends on the support design and site exposure.
Should a storage tank be elevated?
Elevation is useful when gravity can provide the required delivery pressure, but the necessary height and structural support may make it uneconomical or impractical. A ground-level tank with a booster pump can be a better fit for some sites. Compare the required pressure at the furthest outlet, pipe losses, foundation conditions, maintenance access and power availability. Have elevated stands appropriately designed for the full tank load and local exposure, and do not treat tank capacity as a substitute for structural review.
Where should a water tank be located?
Choose a location that is accessible for construction, inspection and cleaning while keeping the tank and pipework protected from vehicle impact, contamination sources and avoidable heat exposure. Consider the route from the source, the elevation of delivery points, drainage around the foundation and space for future maintenance. Keep tanks away from septic systems or other contamination risks and confirm local setbacks where applicable. The final position should be shown on a simple site layout before civil work begins.
Plan Your Project
Discuss your water requirements with our team
Tell us your daily water demand, source, site layout and preferred reserve period to scope a storage system.