As water resource management becomes increasingly crucial in the face of climate challenges, innovation in water storage and use is becoming a necessity.
Among the emerging solutions, flexible tanks represent a significant step forward. These flexible tanks, capable of adapting to a variety of environments and needs, are revolutionizing water storage beyond traditional uses.
Initially designed for simple applications such as agricultural irrigation or drinking water storage, they are now finding their way into fields as varied as pool water recovery, snow cannon water supply, or salt water storage for industrial and scientific uses.
Pool water recovery to reduce the ecological footprint of aquatic facilities
Pool water management represents a considerable challenge in both ecological and economic terms.
Every year, millions of liters of water are replaced or lost due to evaporation, cleaning and emptying necessary to maintain hygiene.
The use of flexible tanks to recover this water offers a solution that is both practical and sustainable.
An ecological and economical water storage solution
Flexible tanks offer a flexible water storage solution, enabling the recovery of rainwater or swimming pool water that would otherwise be lost to wastewater networks.
This stored water can then be used throughout the year, and particularly during periods of drought, for watering green spaces and gardens, cleaning streets, vehicles or various equipment. The possibilities for use are numerous and undoubtedly still unexplored.
The process begins by pumping water from the pool to the flexible tank, where it can be stored temporarily during cleaning periods or treated for later reuse. This system not only reduces water consumption but also cuts the costs associated with frequent pool filling.
The ecological benefits are significant. By minimizing the need to constantly draw on water resources, flexible tanks contribute to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems. What's more, by optimizing water reuse, they help to reduce the ecological footprint of aquatic facilities.
Examples of local authorities recycling pool water
At the Châtellerault nautical center, when the pools are emptied, the water is first stored in tanks before being transferred to a 55 m³ reservoir. Here, the chlorine evaporates without the need for chemical treatment. Once purified, this water is used to irrigate green spaces or clean public roads. This practice continues all year round, regardless of weather conditions.
In Jaunay-Marigny, an area often affected by early droughts, a 360 m³ Citerneo brand flexible tank was installed in the grounds of the municipal swimming pool by a local distributor. This installation conserves the pool's winter water, providing a reusable water source for various community needs.
As for the city of Toulouse, in 2022 and for the first time, during the annual emptying, it has decided to recover water from the Nakache pool to water its green spaces and fill fountains.
Snow cannons and their dependence on water
These machines spray pressurized water into cold air, creating artificial snow when natural conditions are not sufficient. However, this technology requires a considerable amount of water, making efficient and sustainable storage essential.
Use flexible tanks to store water and feed snow cannons
Snow cannons today play a crucial role in the viability of ski resorts, especially in the face of increasingly unpredictable winters, with less and less snowfall.
The use of flexible tanks to store water for snow guns offers significant ecological and economic advantages.
On an ecological level, these tanks enable water to be collected and stored during periods of abundant precipitation, thus reducing pressure on local water resources during dry months.
Economically, this enables resorts to reduce their operational costs by reducing the need to purchase additional water or draw on potentially expensive sources.
Examples of communities that have chosen a solution to recycle water
A concrete example of this practice is the use of snow cannons at the Ovifat ski resort in Belgium. Snow cannons are used to compensate for low snowfall, which is crucial to enable the resort to operate efficiently during the winter season. Ovifat, like many small ski resorts, relies heavily on these technologies to provide adequate skiing conditions despite increasingly mild winters.
In the Czech Republic, several customers of French manufacturer Citerneo use flexible tanks to store the water needed to power their snow cannons.
The use of these tanks offers the possibility of avoiding the costly and fixed installation of piping networks to supply the cannons.
In addition, the empty tanks can be easily moved, enabling them to be transported to other slopes in line with the ski resorts' evolutions and needs. This solution also helps to limit groundwater abstraction, for example by storing rainwater to supply snow cannons!
The tanks guarantee constant snow cover while managing local water resources in a more sustainable and economically advantageous way.
Salt water storage in flexible tanks
Salt water storage in flexible tanks has multiple applications, particularly in the industrial and research sectors, where salt water handling is frequent and necessary.
These tanks offer a flexible, economical and durable solution for managing large volumes of saltwater, which can be corrosive and therefore difficult to store in traditional rigid containers.
Flexible tanks are made from corrosion-resistant materials, making them ideal for long-term saltwater storage without the risk of deterioration. What's more, their flexibility allows easy installation and adaptation in tight spaces or remote sites, which is often the case in environmental research projects or specific industrial operations.
Examples of water storage in industry and research
An example of the industrial use of flexible tanks for saltwater storage can be found in seawater thermal treatment plants.
These processes require large quantities of saltwater, which must be heated and then cooled. The use of flexible tanks enables this water to be stored efficiently between treatment cycles, optimizing operations and reducing the energy costs associated with repetitive water heating and cooling.
In the research field, flexible tanks are also used in projects studying marine ecosystems. For example, marine biology researchers can use them to simulate controlled ocean conditions, enabling the study of the behavior of certain species in salt water.
This type of installation is particularly valuable for long-term experiments where environmental constancy is crucial.
Tanks for effluent storage
Flexible tanks are particularly suitable for effluent storage, thanks to their robust design and resistance to a variety of chemicals and environmental conditions.
Agricultural effluents such as slurry, digestate, and other agricultural wastewater can be stored. Some tanks, such as those from manufacturer Citerneo, are treated to resist UV and mildew, ensuring long-term durability and storage integrity.
There are also solutions tailored to effluent storage with tanks up to 500 m³, customizable to meet the specific needs of industrial and agricultural projects. These tanks are made from PVC-coated fabric, ensuring high resistance and compatibility with acidic or basic liquids, making them ideal for a variety of applications.
The use of these flexible tanks enables efficient management of liquid waste while reducing environmental impact. These solutions can be adapted to a wide range of contexts, offering flexibility and safety for all types of effluent.
In Kazakhstan, one of Citerneo's customers recently chose to install 5 flexible tanks for effluent storage, including 4 of 400 m³ and a gigantic 1,500 m³.
These examples clearly illustrate the versatility and efficiency of these flexible tanks, demonstrating their growing importance in diversified industrial and research applications.
The irrigation revolution in agriculture thanks to flexible tanks
In the agricultural sector, the adoption of flexible tanks has significantly transformed irrigation practices, offering farmers a flexible and economically viable solution to better manage water resources.
A flexible and sustainable solution essential in regions facing water challenges.
A transformative impact on irrigation
In contrast to rigid tanks, flexible tanks can be installed quickly, as they require less space for storage and are easily transportable. This enables farmers to capture, store and redistribute rainwater or run-off water at lower cost, thus optimizing the use of this precious resource.
In addition, flexible tanks help to reduce agriculture's ecological footprint. They enable irrigation that is more precise and adapted to crop needs, reducing water wastage and minimizing the use of traditional irrigation systems, which are energy-intensive and less efficient.
Use recognized for resisting water stress
Flexible tanks thus reduce dependence on traditional, costly water sources. Their use is particularly advantageous in regions prone to extreme climatic variations, where efficient water management is crucial to crop survival.
They are also valued for their durability and resistance to extreme weather conditions, making them an ideal choice for long-term storage.
In Australia, the implementation of flexible tanks has improved water use efficiency on several farms. For example, in Victoria, farmers have invested in innovative irrigation systems that incorporate flexible tanks for optimized water management. These systems have not only resulted in substantial water savings, but have also helped to increase crop yields thanks to more consistent availability of water for irrigation.
In France, 20 Citerneo brand rainwater harvesting flexible tanks were installed at the Parc Naturel Régional (PNR) de Millevaches en Limousin, in 2023.
The Park has organized a grouping of orders for 5 to 20 m³ tanks, open to residents, businesses, local authorities and associations in the Park's territory, as well as EPCI signatories to the Park Charter.
A move that forms part of the Adaptation to Climate Change program, set up by the PNR de Millevaches, with the support of ADEME, to cope with increasingly frequent water restrictions.
Water management in emergency and disaster situations
Flexible tanks play a crucial role in water management in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, relief operations or humanitarian crises.
The role of tanks in coping with disasters
During major fires, they are particularly useful, as they can be temporarily installed in affected areas where traditional water management infrastructures are damaged or non-existent.
Their flexibility also means they can be easily transported to remote or hard-to-reach areas. What's more, they can be filled with water treated elsewhere and brought to site, providing a vital source of drinking water that can prove life-saving before permanent systems are repaired or built.
Emergency water management
These tanks offer a rapid solution for storing and distributing water, essential for fire-fighting, drinking water supply, or as water reserves for rescue operations in the event of disruption to the usual infrastructure.
Their ability to be rapidly deployed and their flexibility make them ideal for interventions in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Furthermore, these tanks can be filled in advance and stored, ready for use, without the need for connection to the local water network, making them extremely useful in contexts where infrastructures are damaged or insufficient.
In France, flexible tanks are used for a variety of fire safety applications, particularly in urban and industrial areas, as well as to fight forest fires, minimizing potential damage and speeding up rescue operations.
Since 2020, the Eure department has invested 10 million euros and financed 144 tanks as part of its emergency plan to help 363 communes invest in DECI (Défense Extérieure Contre l'Incendie). The aim is to provide better fire protection for the thousands of people living in the countryside of the Eure,
and for smaller communes, the Eure department has provided flexible tanks free of charge.
In Palavas-les-Flots, following the draining of the 500 m³ of the large basin on June 26, 2023, the Hérault SDIS has recovered this water to reinforce its reserves, with the aim of preventing and fighting fires.
Conclusion
In a context where water management is becoming an increasingly pressing challenge in the face of environmental issues, flexible tanks are proving to be invaluable allies. From swimming pool water storage to agricultural applications and salt water recovery, these flexible systems are helping to combat climate disruption.