Wire-cement tank
Nowadays, most storage tanks have a cylindrical shape, which is much stronger and uses less material than square or rectangular tanks. In Nicaragua short "hands-on" training courses teach users how to make their own storage tank for irrigation.
Bricks are used to make smaller tanks of 0.5-3 m3 and natural stones are used for tanks of 3 to 120 m3. The construction starts by laying 2 PVC tubes on the ground (for the outlet and drain). Then stones are placed in a circle and secured with steel wire. The inside and outside of the tank is then plastered with cement. No steel bars are needed since the wire functions as reinforcement. Leaks are repaired with cement.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Easy to construct and repair. Uses less material than square or rectangular tanks. |
|
Capacity
0.5 m3 - 120 m3.
Costs
Material for a tank of 1 m3: 120 construction bricks, sand, 50 kg cement and 1 kg of steel wire.
External links
Information: Water storage, Rainwater harvesting.
