Emergency Water Storage Tanks
Flexible Bladder Tanks, Collapsible Frame Tanks, and Onion Tanks
When a disaster hits, you need water storage that deploys fast. Our flexible bladder tanks, collapsible frame tanks, and onion tanks set up in hours -- not days -- and hold 25 to 210,000 gallons to match your location and need, whether you're protecting a home, a facility, a farm, or a community. If you're not sure which type fits your emergency plan, we'll help you choose the right size and material so you're never caught without water when it matters most.
If you have questions about emergency water storage tanks, give us a call at 1-863-261-8388 or request a price quote.
Why Flexible and Collapsible Tanks Are Built for Emergencies
Rigid tanks take time to install and haul into position. Flexible and collapsible emergency water storage tanks are engineered for the opposite: fast deployment, compact transport, and reliable performance in the field. Here is what sets them apart:
- Rapid Deployment: Collapsible frame tanks and onion tanks stand up in minutes. Bladder tanks roll out and fill quickly with no heavy equipment needed.
- Scalable Capacity: With options from as small as 25 gallons up to 210,000 gallons, you can match the tank to the actual volume your situation demands -- no oversizing, no shortfall.
- Potable-Ready Options Available: Select bladder and frame tank liners are manufactured from heavy-duty, food-grade materials. Potable-approved options meet FDA CFR 177.1520 and NSF/ANSI 61 standards for drinking water contact.
- Puncture-Resistant Construction: Tank fabrics are reinforced for rugged field use -- standing up to rough terrain, jobsite conditions, and extended outdoor deployment.
- Compact for Storage and Shipping: When not in use, these tanks fold down to a fraction of their filled footprint, so you can keep one staged and ready without sacrificing floor space.
- Versatile Water Types: Fabrics are available for potable water, non-potable water, rainwater, and wastewater applications.
Quality You Can Count On: Select emergency water storage tanks in our lineup meet FDA CFR 177.1520 and NSF/ANSI 61 standards for potable water use. Our tanks are backed by a manufacturer warranty -- contact a Sales Specialist to confirm the coverage for the specific product you need.
Emergency Water Storage Tank Options
Browse by product family below. Each family is designed around a different deployment scenario; if you are not sure which fits your situation, call us and a Sales Specialist will walk you through it.
Flexible Bladder Tanks
Bladder tanks flex to fit tight spaces and deploy in minutes -- ideal for jobsite water backup, home hurricane preparedness, and disaster relief staging. Because they fold flat when empty, you can store one in a closet, a truck bed, or a utility room and have it ready to fill the moment a storm warning goes out. Available in potable and non-potable configurations.
Collapsible Frame Water Tanks
Frame tanks erect quickly in the field with no heavy tools or equipment required. The open top provides fast fill and easy access for firefighting tankers, pumps, and gravity-fed systems. Compact when disassembled, they ship and transport without special freight.
Onion Tanks
Self-rising onion tanks set themselves up as they fill -- just place the tank, connect your fill line, and the sides rise with the water level. They drain fast and pack down small, making them a reliable standby for fire suppression operations and emergency water distribution points.
Why Flexible Tanks for Emergencies
Emergency situations vary widely, and the right tank depends on your scenario. Here are the most common applications our customers rely on:
- Hurricane Readiness: Fill a bladder tank before the storm hits and maintain a potable water supply at home or at your facility when municipal service goes down.
- Drought Planning: Stage a large-capacity frame or bladder tank on your property to hold a long-term water supply when well output drops or surface sources dry up.
- Fire Suppression Readiness: Keep a frame dump tank or onion tank on your property or jobsite so firefighting crews always have a reliable water source ready to draw from.
- Backup for Failed Municipal Supply: A gravity-fed or pump-ready bladder tank gives homes, nursing facilities, and businesses a dependable interim supply when the grid goes down or a main breaks.
Emergency Tank Sizing Guide
Not every emergency calls for the same volume. Use the table below as a starting point, then call a Sales Specialist to confirm the right size for your specific location and water need. Custom sizing is available across all three product families.
| Tank Type | Capacity Range | Typical Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible Bladder Tank | 25 gal to gal | Minutes | Home backup, disaster relief, potable water storage, tight-space deployment |
| Collapsible Frame Tank | gal to gal | Minutes to under 1 hour | Firefighting water supply, large-scale emergency staging, open-site deployment |
| Onion Tank | gal to gal | Self-rising as it fills | Fire suppression operations, rural water distribution, quick-erect field use |
Custom sizes available up to 210,000 gallons. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
Certifications and Standards
Select emergency water storage tanks in our lineup are manufactured to meet recognized safety and quality standards for potable water contact. Confirm which certifications apply to your chosen product with a Sales Specialist before purchase.
Need a Larger or Permanent Solution?
For higher-capacity needs, longer-term permanent installation, or mobile water hauling, these related product families may be a better fit:
- Portable Water Trailers -- haul water directly to your emergency location on a towable trailer.
- Bolted Steel Tanks -- permanent, high-capacity above-ground storage for industrial fire suppression and long-term site water supply.
- Vertical Poly Tanks -- durable above-ground tanks for on-site backup storage at homes, farms, and facilities.
Emergency Water Storage Tank FAQ
What Is the Difference Between a Bladder Tank and a Frame Tank?
A bladder tank is a fully enclosed flexible container that fills from a port and holds water under pressure or gravity, making it ideal for potable water backup and tight-space storage. A frame tank uses a rigid or semi-rigid frame to hold an open-top liner upright -- best for firefighting and rapid bulk fill where you need fast access to large volumes of water.
How Fast Can These Tanks Be Set Up?
Setup times vary by tank type. Onion tanks rise on their own as you fill them. Frame tanks typically erect in minutes with no tools. Bladder tanks unroll and fill quickly from a standard fill connection.
Are These Tanks Safe for Drinking Water?
Select tank liners and bladder materials are manufactured from food-grade materials and are approved for potable water contact under FDA CFR 177.1520 and NSF/ANSI 61. Make sure you specify potable use when ordering, and a Sales Specialist will confirm which products qualify.
What Capacity Do I Need for Hurricane or Disaster Preparedness?
A common planning standard is 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day for at least 72 hours, though many planners target a two-week supply. For a household of four, that means 56 gallons minimum. Our bladder tanks start small enough for home use and scale up to facility-level capacities. Call us and we will help you size correctly for your household or building.
Can I Use One of These Tanks for Fire Suppression?
Yes. Our collapsible frame tanks and onion tanks are commonly used as on-site fire suppression water sources. They fill quickly from a tanker or hydrant and give firefighting crews a reliable draw point in areas without close water access.
Do You Offer Custom Sizes?
Yes. We offer custom sizing across our flexible bladder, frame, and onion tank families, up to 210,000 gallons. Contact a Sales Specialist with your dimensions and capacity requirements and we will find the right fit.
Ready to Plan Your Emergency Water Storage?
Not sure which size or type of emergency water storage tank fits your plan? Our Sales Specialist team is ready to walk you through the options -- bladder tanks for home and facility backup, frame tanks for fire suppression, or onion tanks for rapid field deployment. No pressure, just helpful advice from people who know water storage.
Call us at 1-863-261-8388 or request a price quote and we will help you find the right emergency water storage tank for your location and need.