Pumping Concrete: Top Tips

Underground Water Tanks For Cattle Stations: Why Choose Concrete?

26 January 2022 by Hector Herrera

Water is a vital resource for any agricultural operation, and cattle stations are no exception. Even a small herd of cattle requires massive amounts of water to thrive, and larger dairy stations can get through millions of gallons of water in a year.

Installing underground water tanks can be a very smart investment for cattle stations both large and small. A sturdy subterranean tank will allow you to store much-needed water supplies to keep your cattle protected against droughts. They can also be hooked up to a rainwater harvesting system, reducing your station's reliance on water bores and expensive municipal water supplies.

Most water tanks suitable for underground installation are made from polyethylene plastic or concrete. Concrete tanks are a significantly more expensive option, but they have many advantages over poly tanks that make the extra investment well worth it. Here are some of the key reasons to choose concrete underground water tanks for your cattle station.

Long-Lasting Durability

Polyethylene tanks are built to last, and installing them underground will prevent perishing caused by exposure to UV. However, they will not last forever and have a relatively short service life compared to concrete water tanks. The lifespan of a poly tank can also be shortened by highly acidic or saline soils, which may react chemically with the plastic.

Concrete water tanks can be expected to last much longer than poly tanks, and are a sound long-term investment. They also require minimal maintenance and are less vulnerable to damage caused by soil salinity. This can be an especially useful property for cattle stations in Western Australia, which suffers from high soil salinity over wide areas.

Resistant To Ground Tremors

Underground poly water tanks can also be vulnerable to damage caused by ground tremors, and the immense shearing stress generated by a relatively mild quake can cause irreparable damage. Concrete tanks are not immune to earthquakes, but they are more resistant to catastrophic damage than their cheaper plastic counterparts, minimising the risk of tank failure and subsequent flooding.

Load Bearing Strength

One of the main advantages of choosing underground water tanks over above-ground tanks is that they won't take up valuable space on your property — very useful you need to use every acre of land you have for grazing purposes, or you use heavy vehicles that could severely damage a tank during an accidental collision.

However, if you install underground tanks in an area where heavy vehicles are likely to drive overhead, you need to ensure that the tank can bear the weight of whatever is passing overhead. Poly tanks are strong but can be split or crushed by the weight of a heavy tractor or excavator. Concrete underground water tanks have exceptional load-bearing strength, and are ideal if you need to install a tank under an area where vehicles are frequently used.

For more information on concrete underground water tanks, contact a company near you.

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