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Water Storage Tanks keep getting better - Haiku Maui HI

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Real Estate Agent with Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers HRE# 58089 - RS

Water Storage Tanks options in Haiku Maui HI

If you're in the market for a rain water catchment storage tank in Hawaii, your choices have gotten better. These days you can get some great solid covers to keep the sun and debris out.

water catchment tank on Maui - black mesh cover with no support

In the past you would probably have gone with a simple black mesh fabric cover which did an adequate job of keeping debris out while still letting water through, but it tended to sag in, no matter how tight you stretched that fabric.  What a great place for birds to come and play... and poop!

Water tank with supported mesh cover, Haiku Maui HI

As things advanced, a PVC framework became the best way to keep the cover suspended above the top of the tank, and this was a huge improvement over the "bird bath" effect by keeping everything out of the water.  Really, though do you even want that small amount of sunlight getting into your water supply and causing algae to grow?  Wear and tear at the edge can cause damage to the cover over time creating a need for replacement.

Concrete water tank with custom built roof - Maui Hawaii

A solid cover offers the best solution for really clean water storage. Many people would build their own custom cover, but that was not always easy or cost effective. See how this tank has a nice solid roof complete with roofing shingles. You know that wasn't a simple job, but this concrete tank is built to last a long time.

SCAFCO storage tank with SCAFCO cover, Haiku Maui HI

The SCAFCO tanks offer a conical metal cover which comes in segments for easy installation. (Water does not get stored in this top section.)  It works great except for the unecessary height which adds to the height/width ratio in a bad way.  A short tank could have a lid taller than the actual tank itself, as you can see here on this hand painted example.  Maybe not a problem if you have a large lot, but if it spoils your view then you understand where I'm going.  Also the added height/width ratio can trigger certain requirements from Maui County planning and permitting, and why go there.

Maui Tank Covers fiberglass roof - Haiku Maui HI

Flatter covers are a good solution, with sections of fiberglass that come to a peak in the center with a nice low profile silhouette.  This one is custom made on Maui and can be made to fit any size tank no matter who built it.

Pioneer WaterTank makes an even lower profile roof that's almost flat, with a tight seal, specifically for their own tanks. They offer a 10 year warranty if installed by a professional dealer. So you can see there is a lot of variety, and depending on your situation you can decide what works best for you.  A local dealer can help determine the size and type for your property.

For more info about water tanks and water tank covers on Maui:

For more info about buying a home or land in Haiku Maui:

rain water catchment tank

Thanks for reading my Maui blog...

Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers
127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779
E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635

Comments(7)

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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I got to visit your high country earlier this summer and I am a big fan of your water conservation tanks Georgie Hunter R(S) 

Aug 09, 2016 04:18 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I always learn something new from your posts. Thank you for sharing.

Aug 09, 2016 09:29 PM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Wow - this was really interesting! Individual landowners have their own storage tanks? What a great idea.

Aug 10, 2016 03:40 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I had no idea! And in the State of Oregon it is illegal to capture rain water.  That is what I have been told...

Aug 10, 2016 09:24 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Evelyn Johnston  That is absurd!  Over here there are many places without county water service so the options are: drill a well, or catch the rain.

Aug 12, 2016 10:28 AM
Evelyn Johnston

I know, I was shocked! Who has the right to tell you it is illegal to collect rain from the sky!?

Aug 12, 2016 10:33 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Thanks for your comments about water tanks and tank covers in Hawaii.

Aug 12, 2016 10:29 AM
John Slocum
Premiere Property Group, LLC - Vancouver Washington - Vancouver, WA
Broker, SFR - Vancouver WA Real Estate

Hi Georgie, this is fascinating to see how many different ways your neighbors are storing water and keeping sunlight and debris out - which is so important to do.  Like Evelyn said, Oregon is cracking down on un-permitted storing of rainwater, which seems draconian.  Here in Washington we are now having challenges to have new Wells drilled for residential use; and even problems with existing wells if they haven't yet served a residence.  Hard to believe when we've had a huge surplus of rainfall the past couple of years.  Thanks!  John and Kat

Jan 09, 2017 07:31 PM