Where to install a water pressure tank: it's not just a matter of convenience.

Our page top photo shows a large above-ground water storage tank that served a large summer camp in Dutchess County, New York.

This article explains where to put the water tank in relation to the pump and pump control switch. Too far means trouble.

Where to Locate the Water Pressure Tank

Our photo shows a water pressure tank and controls jammed into a tiny closet in the garage of a New York home. There is so little working space around this equipment that servicing or repairing it will be a bit more difficult and perhaps costly.

When planning the location of a water pressure tank or its replacement, here are the key considerations, starting with the ABCs of water tank location:

• Accessibility:
  
  The water tank should be readily accessible for inspection for leaks or for repairs.
  
  Most often the pressure tank is located in a basement or utility area close to where water piping enters the building. If the pump is a submersible (in the well) you'll find just the pressure control switching device(s) and shutoff valves near the tank, perhaps along with water filtration and treatment equipment.
  
  If the pump is an above-ground unit (a 1-line or 2-line jet pump) then it may be quite close to or even mounted right on the pressure tank itself. The pump can be distant from the pressure tank but its control should not-be far - as we'll explain below.
  
  Very large water tanks like the one shown just below may buried entirely, or one end may be be partly visible - a decision that may mean higher cost later if the tank needs to be repaired.

• Building & Plumbing codes require that a water tank should be at least 10ft. or 2m from the property line.
  
  In some communities outdoor water storage including well tanks, equipment, and even rainwater storage tanks may need to be hidden from view. Local codes may vary so check with your local building or plumbing department.

Below, an outdoor installation in a warm climate shows a Pentair Sta-Rite pump with the small pressure tank mounted right atop the pump itself. (Courtesy of an anonymous reader.)

Local codes may require that this installation be hidden from view.

• Costs to install the water tank: placing a water storage tank or pressure tank far from the building it serves or from the water source increases its installation cost to run the trench and pipe and wiring to and from the water tank.

Our photo above shows a typical indoor water pressure tank and one-line jet pump located in the basement of a home.

• Indoors vs. outside location of the water tank & controls:
  
  Indoor water tanks: locating water pump controls, pressure tank, and pump indoors (if an above-ground jet pump is used) offers advantages of accessibility for repair and protection from moisture, corrosion, and in cold-climates, freezing.
  
  Outdoor water tanks: When this water equipment is located outdoors it is readily-accessible to service personnel without having to gain access to he building interior, but located outside, it must be protected from the weather and in cold climates, from freezing.
  
  In northern climates freeze-protection is often provided by locating all of this equipment in a well -pit or vault whose depth hopes to get below the frost line. Because there will be electricity provided in the vault (for the pump or pump control switch), it's easy enough to add a small amount of heat if necessary. (We've used a simple 100W incandescent bulb.)
  
  But well pits in wet climates are vulnerable as well to flooding that risks damaging the equipment. Even simply wet conditions can make working on the pump and controls more-dangerous.

Our photo above shows an outdoor water pressure tank installed in a well pit or vault. You can see the well casing, the pressure control switch and the blue water tank all close together.

The well pit and its equipment may be considerable distance from the building that it serves.

Just below our sketch illustrates locating the water tank along with pump and controls in an above-ground well-house that offers weather-protection. (Wisconsin DNR)

 

• Pump & pressure control choices vs rooftop tanks
  
  If your building water pressure is to be provided by a pump and tank system then you should locate the water pressure tank as close as practical to the pump pressure control switch.
  
  Watch out: If the water pressure tank located too far from the pressure control switch, or at a different elevation from the pressure switch, the pressure switch control may not operate properly and you may find problems with pressure switch chattering or telegraphing.
  
  Amtrol™ is quite clear about the proper water pressure tank location:
  
  The Well-X-Trol should be installed as close as possible to the pressure switch. This will reduce the adverse effects of added friction loss and pressure switch bouncing, and the difference in elevation between WELL-X-TROL and switch.
  
  Water pressure tanks will work rather well if placed located almost anywhere on the piping system on the same level as the pressure control switch.
  
  Cyclestop, a supplier of water equipment and controls elaborates on the water pressure tank location in their article on pressure switch bouncing (cited below):
  
  The [water pressure] tank used should always be at the end of the small water line, or without water flowing past or through it.
  
  When the switch is placed in this location, the volume of water inside the bladder tank must change before the pressure switch will see any difference in pressure.
  
  This eliminates hydraulic shock that the switch would experience if it were tapped directly into the main line.
  

Below: rooftop water tanks like these in Manhattan, N.Y., may be filled from a municipal water supply main or from a local water source whose water is lifted by a pump system.

• Rooftop water tanks: If the water tank is sufficiently high (at least one story) above the first point of use, then water pressure in the building can be provided by gravity, alone.
  
  Watch out: If a water tank is immediately atop a flat roof and just below is a bathroom, the water pressure in that bath will be pathetic unless a booster pump system is added.
  
  See details at WATER PRESSURE BOOSTER PUMP

Too Much Distance = Water Pressure Control Switch Contact Bounce & Short Cycling Water Pumps

It's best to follow the Amtrol advice - keep the water tank and pressure switch close together.

Incorrect water pressure tank location, too far from the pressure control switch for example, can cause improper pressure control operation or pressure control switch contact "bouncing" (also called switch chatter or switch telegraphing) - turning the water pump on and off extremely rapidly.

If you have a problem such as the pump pressure control switch bouncing (the switch turning the pump on and off rapidly at the start or end of a pumping cycle) you can relocate the pressure switch to the new larger tank and run a longer wire to the pump or pump control relay.

See WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH CHATTER

Other causes of pressure switch bounce and well pump short cycling are explained

at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES.

Above: dual water pressure tanks located outdoors, next to the well casing. This installation can work only in a climate not subject to freezing.

Below: A FloTec water tank installed in a tropical climate, in the crawl area below the home it serves.

Water Tank Location References

• Cyclestop Valves, CORRECT PRESSURE SWITCH PLACEMENT STOPS BOUNCING or TELEGRAPHING [PDF] Cyclestop Valves, Inc., 10221 CR 6900, Lubbock, Texas 79407 USA, Email: info@constantpressurekits.com Tel: 806-885-4445 , retrieved 2022/05/01, original source: https://cyclestopvalves.com/pages/correct-pressure-switch-placement-stops-bouncing-or-telegraphing
  
  Cyclestop Valves produces water pressure tanks, cycle-stop valves, pressure control switches, pressure regulators and other water system products.
• DRIVEN POINT (Sand-Point) WELLS, [PDF] Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, PUB DG 022 2010 retrieved 2018/06/12, original source: https://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/DG/DG0022.pdf
• WATER PUMP & TANK I&O & REPAIR MANUALS
• WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH MANUALS
  

...

Continue reading at WATER TANK LOCATION DISTANCE & SWITCH CHATTER, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

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• AIR VOLUME CONTROLS, WATER TANK - used on bladderless water pressure tanks
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• WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH CHATTER
• WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH LOCATION
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• WATER TANK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - topic home
• WATER TANK LOCATION DISTANCE & SWITCH CHATTER
• WATER TANK LOCATION GUIDE
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• WELL PITS

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WATER TANK LOCATION GUIDE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS & SPRINGS

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