7 Best Water Storage Containers For Drought Prone Farms Old Farmers Swear By
Drought-proofing your farm? We cover 7 time-tested water storage containers that seasoned farmers rely on, from classic cisterns to modern poly tanks.
The rain you get isn’t always the rain you need, especially when the sky stays stubbornly blue for weeks on end. For a farmer, watching the ground crack while the well level drops is a feeling of pure helplessness. Building a resilient water system isn’t a luxury; it’s the foundation of a farm that can weather the inevitable dry spells.
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Why On-Farm Water Storage is Non-Negotiable
Relying solely on a well or municipal water is a gamble. A deep drought can lower the water table past your well pump’s reach, and a power outage can render it useless without a generator. City water is expensive for agricultural use and can be restricted during emergencies, leaving your crops and animals high and dry.
On-farm storage acts as your buffer. It’s your insurance policy against unpredictable weather, mechanical failures, and civic emergencies. Having thousands of gallons of water collected from your barn roof or stored from your well during wet periods gives you control.
This isn’t just about survival; it’s about smart management. Stored rainwater is often better for plants than treated municipal water. It also allows you to irrigate strategically during critical growth periods, rather than just when the rain happens to fall. A good storage system transforms water from a source of anxiety into a managed resource.
Norwesco Vertical Tanks: Maximum On-Site Storage
When you need serious, stationary storage, these big polyethylene tanks are the standard. You see them next to barns and workshops for a reason. They are designed for bulk collection, typically from roof runoff, and can hold anywhere from a few hundred to over 10,000 gallons.
Made from UV-resistant plastic, they are built to sit in the sun for decades without breaking down. Most come in dark green or black, which is crucial for preventing algae growth by blocking sunlight. Setting one up requires a solid, level pad of gravel or concrete, but once it’s in place, it’s a low-maintenance workhorse.
The primary tradeoff is permanence and visibility. These are large, imposing structures that become a permanent part of your landscape. But for a central water hub that can gravity-feed to lower-lying troughs or gardens, their sheer capacity and reliability are unmatched.
Repurposed IBC Totes: The Frugal Farmer’s Choice
Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) are the definition of practical farm ingenuity. These 275- or 330-gallon caged plastic tanks are abundant, affordable, and incredibly versatile. They are perfect for setting up multiple, smaller water collection points around your property instead of one central tank.
The most critical rule is to only use food-grade totes. Many IBCs previously held industrial chemicals that you absolutely do not want in your soil or your animals. Look for totes that held products like glucose, molasses, or vegetable oil, and clean them thoroughly.
Happy Belly Soybean Oil is a light-tasting and versatile cooking oil, perfect for frying and everyday use. This cholesterol-free oil contains 14g total fat per serving.
Their biggest weakness is UV light, which will make the white plastic brittle over time. A simple coat of dark, exterior-grade paint or a purpose-built tote cover solves this problem and helps block light to prevent algae. They might not be pretty, but for the price, their utility is hard to beat.
Behlen Galvanized Stock Tank: A Versatile Classic
You can’t run a farm without a stock tank. While their primary job is providing water for livestock, their utility goes far beyond that. These galvanized steel troughs are tough, portable (when empty), and serve countless roles on a small farm.
We use them for everything:
- As a collection point under a small shed’s downspout.
- A place to wash harvested vegetables before they come inside.
- A temporary holding tank for fish or ducks.
- Even as a durable, rust-resistant raised garden bed.
Their capacity is limited, usually topping out around 300 gallons for the classic round models. They won’t solve your whole-farm water storage needs. But as a durable, multi-purpose tool that holds a functional amount of water right where you need it, they are an essential piece of equipment.
Good Ideas Rain Wizard for Garden-Scale Collection
Not every water solution needs to hold a thousand gallons. For the kitchen garden right next to the house, a simple rain barrel like the Rain Wizard is often the perfect fit. These are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and incredibly easy to install, often connecting directly to a standard downspout with a simple diverter kit.
A 50 or 60-gallon barrel won’t get you through a month-long drought, but that’s not its purpose. Its job is to capture a few hundred gallons over the course of a few spring showers, giving you a ready supply of free, untreated water for your tomatoes and herbs. This saves your well water or municipal supply for more critical needs.
Think of these as a convenient supplement. They are ideal for targeted watering of high-value plants close to your home. For someone just starting with rainwater harvesting, a rain barrel is a low-cost, low-commitment way to understand the principles before investing in a larger system.
Husky Portable Bladder Tanks for Flexible Storage
Sometimes your water problem isn’t storage, it’s location. A bladder tank, or "water pillow," is a heavy-duty, collapsible container that’s perfect for temporary or mobile water needs. They can be unrolled on any reasonably flat piece of ground—no special pad required—and filled to hold hundreds or even thousands of gallons.
Their real strength is flexibility. You can use one to set up a temporary watering station in a remote pasture you’re rotationally grazing. They are also invaluable in an emergency, allowing you to haul a large quantity of water in the back of a truck or trailer if your well runs dry.
The obvious tradeoff is durability. While made from tough material, they are more susceptible to punctures from sharp rocks or equipment than a rigid tank. However, when you’re done, you can drain them, fold them up, and store them on a shelf. For situations that demand adaptable, short-term bulk storage, they are an incredible problem-solver.
Poly-Mart Below Ground Cisterns: Hidden Reserves
For the ultimate in water security and space efficiency, nothing beats an underground cistern. Burying your water tank protects it from UV degradation, keeps the water cool to prevent algae and bacteria growth, and frees up valuable surface area. It’s your hidden reservoir, safe from the elements.
This is a serious infrastructure project. It requires excavation, careful placement on a proper base, and planning for plumbing and access. The upfront cost and labor are significantly higher than for an above-ground tank. This isn’t a weekend project; it’s a long-term investment in your farm’s resilience.
A below-ground cistern is the right choice for those planning to stay on their land for the long haul. It provides a massive, stable water supply that is out of sight and out of mind until the moment you desperately need it. Paired with a quality pump, it’s the most reliable system you can build.
Enduraplas Haulage Tanks for Transporting Water
Storing water is one thing; moving it is another. Haulage tanks are specifically designed to be mounted on a trailer or in the bed of a truck to transport water around your property or from an off-site source. They are essential for farms where water sources and points of use are far apart.
Look for tanks with internal baffles. These partitions disrupt the movement of water, making the load far more stable and safe to transport. A non-baffled tank full of sloshing water can dangerously shift the vehicle’s center of gravity. These tanks are also built with thicker walls to handle the stresses of movement.
You might use a haulage tank to fill stock tanks in distant pastures, water a newly planted windbreak at the edge of your property, or even bring in water from a neighbor’s pond during a dire emergency. If your acreage is spread out, a dedicated transport tank is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
The best water storage solution isn’t a single tank, but a diverse system of collection, storage, and transport tailored to your land. Start with one, whether it’s a simple rain barrel or a repurposed tote, and build from there. Having water on hand when you need it most is what separates a farm that struggles from one that thrives.
