Our Building Process

Once a location for a rainwater tank has been decided, our first step is leveling the tank pad to create a stable surface for your tank to sit. We use laser levels to map out a level surface, and a skid steer to remove any necessary soil and vegetation.

Every tank pad requires something different. While some tank pads may only require us to scrape back vegetation, others may require us to cut into a hillside or jackhammer through limestone slabs. No matter the complexity, we are prepared for whatever your location may bring.

After we level the tank pad, we bring in sand to build up a soft but stable pad. Building on sand, versus building on concrete, allows for natural settling and for the tank to expand and contract as water levels and temperatures change.

Next comes our favorite day, tank build day! From start to finish, building your rainwater tank takes about a day to a day and a half. First, our team assembles the curved PIONEER V-LOCK® corrugated steel walls, securing them with a series of bolts. Each panel is connected by 54 bolts, with our XL 23 tank using almost 650 bolts, and the XL 50 tank using 972 bolts total.

Once the tank walls are up, our team carefully measures and aligns the steel trusses that support the roof. Each tank has two to four trusses depending on the size.

While one team measures the roof trusses, another hangs condensations strips and foam on the interior of the tank. These condensation strips allow evaporating water to gather and return to the tank storage, while also protecting the tank from escaping water. The foam sits under the edge of the roof, filling in gaps in the corrugation and creating a barrier from insects, pollen, and dirt.

Piece by piece, our team installs the corrugated roof panels. Once complete, we trim the roof panels and install the tank access hatch, rainwater inlet and outlet, and tank level gauge.

Inside the tank, our team installs the five-layer, anti-microbial, BPA free, AQUALINER® Fresh tank liner. The tank liner provides ample space for rainwater to expand into every portion of the tank. Beneath the tank liner, geotextile fabric protects the tank liner and blocks vegetation growth. An overflow funnel allows excess rainwater to exit your full tank to the ground outside.

A submersible pump is installed inside your tank that pumps rainwater from your tank to the UV treatment system. A spigot and ball valve are located directly outside the tank to divert or shut off water if desired.

Installing your rainwater collection system can be done before or after the building of your Pioneer rainwater tank but won’t be useable until fully connected to the tank and UV treatment board. First, trenches are dug to house the collection system underground, and PVC piping is installed. Our team will map the best route for your rainwater collection system for minimal impact on surrounding horticulture and hardscaping.

Next, PVC downspouts are installed to gather rainwater from the existing gutter system. We design our downspouts to fit aesthetically with your property and paint them to match your gutter system. We specialize in wet systems, meaning water is continually stored in the underground pipe system, and is pushed into the tank as new rainfall enters the pipes. Gravity-created pressure from the height difference between the downspouts and the rainwater tank sends rainwater through a pipe into the top of the tank, filtering through a mesh steel basket to filter any leaves or debris from the gutters.

Finally, we fill the system trenches and restore the area around your PVC rainwater collection system. Our goal is to leave the smallest footprint possible. Our team will work with you to find the best space for any leftover materials, and vegetation usually returns in a matter of months.

Your UV treatment board is installed wherever suits your property best. For property owners switching from, or supplementing, well water this could be in your existing well house. For new property construction, or retrofitting existing properties, this could be in a garage or utility room where the board can be tied into your plumbing. Rainwater is pumped from the tank through three treatment chambers. A five-micron filter removes sediment, a carbon filter removes taste and odor, and the UV light chamber disinfects any exiting bacteria. Once filtered, the water can be used for anything, simply be turning on the tap.