Aluminum water tank

[Andonso]

I have a friend who purchased some property where he and has wife are living in a 5th wheel.

Currently there's no water or electricity. They're using a generator to maintain house batteries and for AC appliances.

We installed a 250 gallon plastic sewer holding tank for black water that on a sewer service that periodically empties when full. His 5th wheel black water tank is 38 gallon is periodically emptied into the 250 gallons tank that has sewer service when it becomes full.

There was electrical service at one time on the property which as soon as the service box is inspected and oked for service will connect up the outdoor 110 service box on a pole to the pud.

The current problem is with the city water system is charging a $10,000 fee to connect to city water, along a road next to the property. AFAWK there no well on the property. To dig a well has been roughly estimated to be $11,000 or possibly higher.

In the mean time we've been looking around for a water solution as there's no bulk water service in our area. We are thinking of installing large water tank ~250 - 500 gallons that can be filled from smaller 50-60 gallon tanks from a pickup.

We found a used 550 gallon plastic water tank, that was sold before we were able to contact the seller.

Then we came across another used 350 gallon tank, the only problem is it's made from aluminum. Seller described can be used for water, however I've been reading that aluminum water tanks, even though installed on boats, etc. that plastic food grade tanks are preferred as water holding tanks.

Some people have stated they've used aluminum water tanks for 15 to 25 plus years without any problems, while others have stated concerns about aluminum used for water storage. Problems such as aluminum getting into drinking water and reacting with chlorine, etc.

I'm uncertain if any source water such as from well or city water would have any chlorine.

Anyway I was looking for any feedback using aluminum tanks to store water which likely would only be used for washing dishes, taking showers, washing clothes and for a toilet. Currently water is coming from those 5 gallon jugs filled from water machine at a local store.

What concerns are there when using aluminum holding tanks to store water to be fed into a RV's main water tank which in this 5th wheel is 50 gallons (plastic water tank).?

A water holding tank is only a temporary solution until we figure how to connect to the city water for less than $10k. We're going to consult with the city water to see if they have some sort of time payment where payment towards the $10,000 fee would part of a monthly bill.

From what I've been told, since the city upgraded their water system that comes from wells pumped into large cement holding tanks they increased their connection fee. So it's possible they will lessen the connection fee sometime in the future.

[Hondavalk]

MNGeeks61 wrote:

GordonThree wrote:

Hondavalk wrote:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/water%20tanks?cm_sp=SearchPreview-_-DidYouMean-_-ViewMore

X2 good prices and no shipping, just show up with your truck and they'll load it.

I guess OP didn't specify, but when I was looking, I wanted a long-term storage tank that would be safe for drinking water. If only used for showering, etc I suppose those would work. I haven't researched.

Potable tanks like these with inlets/outlets
click

Those tanks are FDA approved, so they can be used for potable water

[MNGeeks61]

GordonThree wrote:

Hondavalk wrote:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/water%20tanks?cm_sp=SearchPreview-_-DidYouMean-_-ViewMore

X2 good prices and no shipping, just show up with your truck and they'll load it.

I guess OP didn't specify, but when I was looking, I wanted a long-term storage tank that would be safe for drinking water. If only used for showering, etc I suppose those would work. I haven't researched.

Potable tanks like these with inlets/outlets
click

[packnrat]

$10K just to connect. sounds far better to drill a well.

not sure about alu for fresh water, as the human body does not like that metal, then any chems in the water going into it will react with the metal and contaminate said water.

[Andonso]

We picked up the 250 gallon plastic tank with cage nearby for $150.00 that's being used for black water, that has a sewer service, cost to empty is $90.00 which is much less than trying to service 250+ gallons.

For $150.00 included a 50 gallon tank with lid and a 65 gallon, no lid has opening at top with plastic screw.

Can't remember exactly but a ~500 gallon would cost significantly more to service for sewer than a 250 gallon.

In another forum a person said he used food grade 55 gallon plastic drums to build a float. Said he paid from %5.00 - $10.00 found on craigslist for the plastic drums.

Locally the least expensive 55 plastic drums found are $15.00 each.

Approx. 125 to 150 miles away.

Other drum prices craigslist varying distances in other towns and cities from #20.00 to $25.00+ each.

55 gallon drums sounds like a good alternative if inexpensive enough and not too far way.

6 x 55 = 330 gallons.

Cost for 6 x 55 gallon drums at $15.00 each = $90.00

250 to 300 miles away RT fuel cost to pickup $55.00 to $65.00.

However I'm uncertain the cost for sewer service i.e. if the sewer service goes by the amount sucked out of a tank or the tank size. If amount would likely only need 4 x 55 gallon drums.

[GordonThree]

Hondavalk wrote:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/water%20tanks?cm_sp=SearchPreview-_-DidYouMean-_-ViewMore

X2 good prices and no shipping, just show up with your truck and they'll load it.

[midnightsadie]

look for a army surplus shop ,they have water tanks on trailers. I did use a 500gal plastic tank for a couple years at a cabin worked great ,get on face book in your area theres a water supply guy some where.

[Hondavalk]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/water%20tanks?cm_sp=SearchPreview-_-DidYouMean-_-ViewMore

[MNGeeks61]

Andonso wrote:
The tank is only a temporarily solution. We are still looking for a plastic tank.

People in this area don't have alot of money so it's likely imposing higher fees it will become more difficult for property sellers to sell property as well as decrease their property values.

I hear you, I wanted to put in a small water tank in an enclosed heated building for winter use at our lot up north (when the water was off). It's not the tank cost for me, it was the shipping! I found a 200 gallon tank but they wanted more than the cost of the tank for shipping. I wasn't able to find any plastic tanks locally.

[GordonThree]

Check a nearby farm supply for a plastic holding tank. They're inexpensive and can be plumbed into a pump easily. Once washed and sanitized should be fine for drinking. Will need to be buried or otherwise protected from the sun as algae will quickly grow, even in chlorinated water.

[Andonso]

The tank is only a temporarily solution. We are still looking for a plastic tank.

People in this area don't have alot of money so it's likely imposing higher fees it will become more difficult for property sellers to sell property as well as decrease their property values.

[WNYBob]

Most if not all 'city' water sources are chlorinated, and tested! If you drill a well the water may not be drinkable, no guarantees. Check with neighbors and then a drilling company.

[HadEnough]

It may be more cost effective to have 5 fifty gallon drums and use the drums as your water tanks. Avoid the whole mess of shopping for the one massive tank. Use a couple more drums to take I'm the pickup to fill.

If this won't work I'd pass on the aluminum tank unless it's an amazing deal or you think you'll have the city water within a few years.

Proper plastic tanks are definitely preferable to aluminum so long as they are out of the sun.

[Old_Days]

You don't say what state you live in but a friend of mine put a 250 gallon plastic tank on a trailer and it works great. I would not use a Aluminum tank unless the water came from a private well with no chemicals added.

[gbopp]

Andonso wrote:
From what I've been told, since the city upgraded their water system that comes from wells pumped into large cement holding tanks they increased their connection fee. So it's possible they will lessen the connection fee sometime in the future.

I don't see the fees going down. Maintenance, water testing, chemicals, wages, etc. will only increase in price over the years.
If allowed by the city, I would spend a little more and drill a well.
But, it depends on the average cost of water per month in your area.
Look at all the options before making a decision.