Reliable Water Storage for Every Application
A borehole or piped water connection is only useful if you have the storage capacity to buffer supply against demand peaks, power outages, and pump maintenance downtime. Without adequate storage, any interruption to your pump or supply line immediately translates into a water crisis. Vajra Drill designs and constructs water storage systems — from a single domestic tank to a multi-compartment elevated water tower serving an entire estate — as part of complete turnkey water infrastructure projects or as standalone engagements.
We handle all civil, structural, and plumbing works associated with water storage, including tank foundations and plinths, tower substructure design, inlet and outlet pipework, overflow and drainage, float valve installation, and integration with your pump system and distribution network. Every storage solution we design is sized for your actual demand — not simply supplied based on what is cheapest or most readily available.
Our civil teams have constructed hundreds of water storage systems across Kenya for homes, schools, hospitals, farms, factories, and community water schemes — giving us deep practical knowledge of what works in Kenya's varied terrain, soil conditions, and climatic zones.
Our Water Storage Services
Polyethylene (Plastic) Water Tanks
Supply and installation of rotationally moulded polyethylene tanks from 500 litres to 50,000 litres. PE tanks are UV-stabilised, food-grade, easy to clean, and corrosion-free. Suitable for domestic, light commercial, and agricultural applications. We install tanks on properly engineered concrete plinths or raised stands to provide adequate delivery pressure without a booster pump.
Elevated Steel Water Towers
Design and construction of galvanised steel elevated water towers with capacities ranging from 10,000 to 200,000 litres. Tower height is calculated to deliver the required static pressure at the most remote point in the distribution network — eliminating the need for a pressure booster pump in most applications. We provide full structural drawings and load calculations.
Underground Water Reservoirs
Construction of reinforced concrete underground water reservoirs (sumps) from 10,000 to 500,000+ litres. Underground tanks maintain water temperature (protecting against algae in hot climates), make use of space efficiently on constrained sites, and allow gravity feed to distribution systems where terrain permits. We waterproof all reservoirs using cement-based waterproofing coatings and test for leakage before handover.
Rainwater Harvesting Tanks
Design and installation of rainwater harvesting systems including guttering, first-flush diverters, pre-filter screens, underground or surface storage tanks, and distribution pipework. Rainwater harvesting is an effective way to supplement borehole or mains water supply, particularly for non-potable uses such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and vehicle washing.
Multi-Compartment Fire Reserve Tanks
Construction of dedicated fire water reserve tanks and pumping systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings as required by the Kenya National Building Code and County fire safety requirements. We design systems to comply with NFC/NFPA standards including fire pump selection, jockey pump systems, and test headers.
Tank Inspection, Cleaning & Repair
Inspection and cleaning of existing tanks and reservoirs to remove sediment, algae, and bacterial biofilm — essential for maintaining water quality, particularly in tanks that have never been cleaned. We also repair concrete cracks, re-waterproof aging reservoirs, and replace corroded steel fittings, inlet valves, and manhole covers.
How We Size Your Water Storage
Storage capacity should be determined by your consumption pattern, supply cycle, and risk tolerance — not by what is the cheapest available option.
Daily Demand Assessment
We calculate daily water demand based on occupancy (household size, shift numbers for commercial) and usage patterns, establishing the base volume the storage system must hold per cycle.
Supply Interruption Buffer
For boreholes powered by electricity, we size storage to cover at least 24–48 hours of demand so power outages do not immediately cause water shortages. Larger buffers are specified for critical facilities.
Peak Demand Flow
Peak instantaneous demand (morning rush, shift change) often exceeds what a pump can deliver directly. Adequate storage capacity allows the pump to fill the tank overnight at its own rate, buffering peak demand spikes.
Site & Terrain
Elevated tanks exploit natural terrain for gravity pressure. Underground tanks suit flat sites or where elevated structures are constrained by planning. We recommend the most suitable tank type for your specific site conditions.
Storage Solutions Across All Sectors
Residential
Domestic rooftop and ground-level tanks for homes and bungalows.
Apartment Blocks
Elevated and ground tanks serving multi-unit residential buildings.
Farms & Ranches
Large-volume tanks and reservoirs for irrigation and livestock watering.
Factories & Industries
Process water storage and fire reserve tanks for industrial facilities.
Schools & Colleges
Reliable water supply for institutions with high daily consumption.
Hospitals & Clinics
Dedicated storage ensuring uninterrupted supply for critical healthcare use.
Community Schemes
Centralised storage for NGO and government rural water supply projects.
Hotels & Resorts
High-capacity systems ensuring consistent supply for hospitality operations.
How We Install Your Water Storage System
From initial site assessment to final commissioning, every water storage installation follows a structured quality process.
- 1Site Survey & Demand Analysis
We visit the site to assess available space, terrain elevation, access constraints, and measure your daily water demand. These inputs determine the optimal storage type, capacity, and location.
- 2Storage System Design
We select the appropriate tank material (GRP, HDPE, or steel), capacity, and configuration — elevated, surface, or underground — and design the inlet, outlet, overflow, and access hatch arrangement to KEBS and WRA guidelines.
- 3Civil Works & Foundation
Foundation excavation and concrete work is carried out to support the tank weight (water-filled). Steel tower structure is erected and hot-dipped galvanised for elevated tanks. Underground chambers are constructed with waterproof render and access covers.
- 4Tank Supply & Placement
Tanks are delivered and lifted or lowered into position using mobile crane or chain block. All seams, fittings, and bolted joints are inspected and torqued to manufacturer specification before connection.
- 5Pipework & Connections
Inlet (from pump or mains), outlet (to distribution), overflow, drain, and vent pipework is installed in uPVC or GI as specified. Float ball valves, gate valves, non-return valves, and pressure gauges are fitted and tested.
- 6Disinfection, Testing & Handover
The tank is chlorinated and flushed before use. Final water quality test is conducted. You receive an as-built drawing, O&M manual, warranty documents, and a cleaning schedule.
Water Storage FAQs
A standard guideline is 50–100 litres per person per day for domestic use. For a family of 5 on a reliable borehole with power supply, a 2,000–5,000 litre tank provides adequate buffer. If your area experiences frequent power outages, size storage for 48–72 hours of demand. We recommend a tank assessment as part of your water system design — not simply buying the largest tank that fits the budget.
For capacities up to 10,000 litres, food-grade polyethylene tanks are the most practical — they are durable, UV-stabilised, easy to install, and do not require waterproofing maintenance. For capacities above 10,000 litres, reinforced concrete underground reservoirs are often more cost-effective per litre of storage. For providing gravity pressure over a wide distribution area, galvanised steel elevated towers are superior. The right choice depends on your capacity requirement, site, and budget.
A 10-metre elevation above the highest point of water use provides approximately 1 bar (100 kPa) of static pressure — adequate for most shower heads and taps. For buildings with multiple floors, we calculate the required tower height from the total head required at the most remote, highest tap. We design the tower substructure accordingly, accounting for full tank weight, wind loading, and soil bearing capacity.
WHO guidelines recommend cleaning water tanks every 6–12 months. In practice, most domestic tanks in Kenya are cleaned far less frequently, which contributes to poor water quality even when the borehole source is clean. We offer annual tank cleaning contracts alongside our pump maintenance services. Signs a tank needs immediate cleaning: visible sediment at the bottom, discoloured water, or an unusual taste or odour.
Yes. A sloped site can actually be advantageous for an underground reservoir — the cut into the slope provides structural support to the reservoir walls and reduces excavation depth on the uphill side. We design excavation and reinforcement details specific to your site's slope and soil type. On steeply sloping sites, partial-buried reservoirs are often the most practical solution.