Guidelines for

Waterproofing
of Underground Water Tanks
«Saving – Rationalization - Sustainability»
TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction 3

• The Field 3

• Definitions and Terms 4

• Reference Specifications 4

• Importance of Tank Waterproofing/Insulation 5

• The most important types of tanks 5

• General conditions for constructing tanks 5

• Waterproofing Options 7

• Waterproofing Tests for Tanks 14

‫دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬ 2

Introduction
Within the efforts of the National Water Company (NWC) to preserve water,
rationalize its use, ensure its sustainability, and mitigate the harms clients are bearing
due to high water bills triggered by large water consumption, and based on the
results of the field studies carried out by NWC within the Rasshid (rationalize) Project
to detect leakages inside the buildings and real estate properties owned by clients,
these indicated the existence of considerable leakages from the underground tanks in
properties owned by the majority of clients participating in the project.

These leakages in turn lead to wastage of water and high-water consumption, as

shown by the water bills for clients.

To solve the problems of leakages from underground tanks, NWC conducted a

study on the various alternatives for solving this issue. The study concluded that the
solution lies in resorting to the waterproofing options/alternatives mentioned in the
guidelines.

(The Saudi Building Code (SBC) should be implemented in case of a clash between
the requirements/prerequisites of these guidelines and the Code).

The Field
These guidelines shall be implemented on tanks meant for collecting potable
drinking water and constructed in homes, real estate properties, and housing
compounds or residential units, which have been carried out while fulfilling the
requirements of the Saudi Building Code (SBC) and the technical conditions stipulated
in the Saudi/GCC standards and specifications. The size of the facility should meet the
requirements of its beneficiaries. This does not apply to the public tanks.

‫دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬ 3

Definitions and terminology
TERM DEFINITION
The company National Water Company
Client Owner of residential or commercial building or real estate

Guidelines on waterproofing of underground tanks that are constructed

Guidebook
in houses, real estate properties, and housing compounds and units.
Underground water tanks (It is an underground structure that is used to collect
Tanks and store water, and feed the building with potable drinking water)

Standards and
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)
Specifications (SASO)
SBC The Saudi Building Code
GSO/SASO Saudi / GCC standards and specifications
BS British Standards
EN European Standards
ASTM American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)
NSF International National Sanitation Foundation
ANSI The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

REFERENCE SPECIFICATIONS
The following Reference Specifications are essential and cannot be done without
when implementing these Guidelines. For the dated references, only the mentioned
editions apply. As to the undated references, the latest edition of the reference
specifications (including any amendments) should be applied.

SPECIFICATION NUMBER NAME OF SPECIFICATION

SASO-GSO-1831: 2007 Water tanks made of polyethylene formed into shape by spinning.

SASO-GSO-2450
Water tanks made of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP)
EN 13280/11-2001
SASO-2882 Solvent-free epoxy paints for potable drinking water tanks and pipes
SASO-826 Drinking water horizontal tanks made of polyester resins and glass reinforced
EN 13280/11-2001 plastic (GRP)
Potable drinking water tanks made of glass reinforced plastic with polyester
SASO-GSO-2443: 2014 resins
GSO 2311: 2013 Lining of concrete water tanks
NSF 61 The health effects of materials on drinking water

ASTM D 5199 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics
ASTM D 792 Standard Testing Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density)
Non-metallic products for use in contact with water intended for human con-
EN 1186-1 sumption

‫دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬ 4

The Importance of Insulating Tanks
The insulation of tanks is greatly important due to the following reasons:
• To preserve water from wastage and rationalize consumption.
• To protect the foundations of buildings and real estate properties from harm by
water leaking to the reinforcement materials.
• To protect the roads in the vicinity of the tanks from the harms of water leakages
and their adverse effects on the soil.
• To protect the water from pollution due to water leakages from and to the under-
ground tanks.
• To reduce the economic burden on the consumer by lowering the quantity of con-
sumption as reflected by the water bills.

The most important types of tanks

Underground tanks made of reinforced concrete carried out at the site (which are
the most common) or prefabricated (prefab) and insulated from the inside and outside
– depending on the insulation/waterproofing options and alternatives mentioned in
these guidelines. The concrete tanks should be designed according to Chapter Six (A)
of the Residential Building Code for buildings not exceeding three stories. As to the
tanks of bigger capacity, they ought to be designed in line with ACI 350.
Prefab underground tanks made of synthetic materials harmless to man’s health
(fiberglass – High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), etc.)

General conditions for executing tanks:

To obtain approval of the authorities concerned for the site and the size of the under-
ground tank, according to the engineering design of the building, as per the construction
permit.
The tank site should be clean and not inundated by water of whatever source. Hence, it
should be drained of any water pools. It should be far away from foul odors, smoke, dust,
and pollutants.
All surfaces to be insulated should be free from moisture, and all irregular surfaces due
to solidified cement, oils, and grease ought to be scraped off and cleaned before carrying
out the insulation. One must make sure the surfaces are clean, dry, and dust-free, and
all cracks and flaws likely to affect the efficiency of the insulation materials to be used,
must be repaired before starting the internal insulation process. In general, the surfaces
should be in the condition required by the insulation materials manufacturing company.
In new tanks, an appropriate external insulation must be carried out and an internal in-
sulation suitable for potable drinking water, in addition to installing PVC sheets at the
construction joints with a width of at least 25 cm.

‫دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬ 5

All the internal insulation materials must be approved against toxicity, and they should
have obtained the WRAS Certificate approving the material’s suitability to be in contact
with potable drinking water. This is in addition to certificate of conformity with the
Specification No. ANSI /NSF 61 that is concerned with the components of drinking wa-
ter system – the health effects of these materials on potable drinking water.
The tank should be tightly insulated and waterproofed to prevent any water leakage
into and out of the tank or any mixing of the water with other external sources (accord-
ing to the details given in these guidelines).
The parts of the tanks made of iron or tin must be treated with an anti-rust substance,
provided it is free from anything causing toxicity, and it should not affect the properties
of water or consumers’ health.
The insulation works should be carried out by a licensed and qualified technician,
trained, and certified by the insulation material manufacturing company. It is important
that the guidelines of the manufacturing company must be followed precisely.
The tank site should be easily accessible for carrying out maintenance or cleaning.
There should be appropriate ports for filling and cleaning.
During the tank’s design, ease of removing sediments during the washing and steri-
lizing of the tank must be taken into consideration by draining out the water from the
tank’s floor to remove the sediments and other deposits.
The tank should be capable of being tightly closed to prevent the entry of dust, soil, and
other pollutants. The manhole should be higher than the ground level by a height of 10
- 25 mm. The opening should be inclined outwards from the tank in such a way that it
prevents rainwater or water from other sources to reach the tank port.
A safe manhole cover should be used to cover the tank port meant for entering the tank,
according to the Saudi / GCC standard specifications for manhole covers.
The tank must have two ports – one for feeding and the second for draining out the
water during washing and sterilization. A floater must also be provided to control the
quantity of water in the tank.
Sufficient continuous lighting and ventilation must be provided to protect all the work-
ers during execution of the insulation works, while taking into consideration all the
rules and conditions for health and safety during execution, in line with the Civil De-
fense safety conditions.
To clean and sterilize tanks at least once every six months and carry out regular periodic
inspections of tanks to ensure their safety in terms of construction and health.
The tank shall be filled with water from the public network or from a reliable and ap-
proved source, which will confirm the water is fit for human consumption.
The maximum load of the tank, according to its design, must not be exceeded during
and after completion of works.

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Options for insulating tanks
There is a variety of options for waterproofing and insulating underground tanks, due to
the diverse insulation materials, which should be obtained from a source that has accred-
itation from the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), and their
equivalent when importing from abroad.
This guideline is enhanced by the variety of insulation options, beginning with the cur-
rently existing practice of giving a finish to the tank’s floor and walls from within using
a cement plastering machine, while adding an anti-filtration agent (like silica) or coating
the walls and floors of tanks with epoxy or other materials used as a waterproofing to
prevent water leakage.
To the company’s visions on insulation work, as summarized in the following points:
• Lining the (new / existing) concrete underground water tanks with High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE).
• Lining the (new / existing) concrete underground water tanks with fiberglass (FRP/
GRP).
• Lining the (new / existing) concrete underground water tanks with one of the wa-
terproofing materials (epoxy insulation - penetron insulation – polyurea insulation).
• Installing prefabricated concrete underground water tanks made of High-Density
Polyethylene (HDPE).
• Installing prefabricated fiberglass (FRP/GRP) underground water tanks.

The options for insulation of water tanks can be shown as follows:

First: Lining the (new / existing) concrete underground water tanks with High
Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

The existing concrete tanks are rehabilitated and treated by mending the cracks and
removing the deposits, oil smears and surficial flaws, and cleaning the tank walls from
within. All the concrete surfaces ought to be free from moisture before starting the
rehabilitation and treatment processes. It must be ensured that the surface to be lined
is smooth, free from sharp objects and strange substances or materials that prevent the
strong adhesion of the insulation material. Then it is insulated with High Density Poly-
ethylene (HDPE), in line with the following diagram and conditions:
Safe and secure cover Feeding line
(inlet port)

Draining out line Floater

Insulation of the interior walls of the concrete tanks with

sheets of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resins.

Washing discharge well

Ordinary concrete base

Insulation of the interior walls of the concrete tanks with sheets of High-Density
Polyethylene (HDPE) resins.

‫دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬ 7

1. The tank interior is lined with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resins to cover all
the concrete surfaces that will be in contact with the water.
2. The insulation membranes should be made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
resins that are in conformity with the technical standards and conditions of the
Saudi/GCC Standard Specifications No. GSO 2311: 2013 on lining concrete water
tanks.
3. The standard no. ANSI / NSF 61 that is concerned with the components of the drink-
ing water system – the health effects of the materials on drinking water.
4. The insulation material made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resins must
be fixed manually and it should be ensured that the resins are fixed around pipe
openings. All the tools, machinery, equipment, workers, and materials necessary for
executing, checking, and testing insulation works must be used.
5. To distribute the insulation material on the surface intended for insulation in line
with the recommendations for preparing surfaces. The segments must be placed
according to their numbers and proper places in the execution design. The insu-
lation membrane sheets must be distributed in a way causing the least wrinkling.
6. The High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is welded using the welder vertically from
top to bottom. A horizontal line should be drawn at least 1.5 meters from the like-
ly stress focal points at the corners and engineering locations of various shapes.
The number of welds should be reduced to the minimum, and the overlap between
sheets ought to be in the range of 10 to 12 cm for fusion welding (by melting), and
7.5 cm for extrusion welding. Before starting the welding, it should be ensured all
the sheets are dry and clean.
7. Fitting the insulation sheets should be in tandem with the welding machine being
used, such that this overlap, in general, must not exceed 15 cm. In addition, the
welding machine must be adjusted according to the speed, temperature, and thick-
ness of the membrane prior to starting the welding process.
8. The tanks must be cleaned of all the waste resins after completing the insulation
process, in line with the recommendations of the insulation material manufacturing
company.

Second: Lining the (new / existing) concrete underground water

tanks with fiberglass (FRP/GRP)

The existing concrete tanks are rehabilitated and treated by mending all the cracks and
fissures, removing sediments, oils, surface defects and cleaning the interior walls of the
tank. All the concrete surfaces should be free from moisture before executing. The sur-
face to be lined should be smooth, free from sharp objects, and all strange substances
that can prevent the insulation material from adhering strongly to the surface. Then all
the concrete surfaces that will be in contact with water are insulated with fiberglass
(FRP/GRP), in line with the following diagram and conditions:

‫دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬ 8

 Safe and secure cover
Feeding line
(inlet port)

Draining out line Floater

FRP/GRP fiberglass sheets Washing discharge well

Ordinary concrete base

FRP/GRP fiberglass sheets

1. The lining resins and all their components should be manufactured of Fiber-Re-
inforced Plastic (FRP), in conformity with the standards and technical conditions
of the Saudi / GCC Standard Specifications No. GSO 2311:2013 on lining con-
crete water tanks.
2. The Standard No. ANSI / NSF 61 concerned with the components of the potable
drinking water system and the health effects of materials on drinking water.

Third: Lining of (new/existing) concrete underground water tanks with

one of the waterproofing/insulation materials (epoxy insulation – pene-
tron insulation – polyurea insulation).

Rehabilitation and treatment of existing concrete tanks of all shortcomings; scraping

the sediments, oils and surface flaws and cleaning the tank interior walls; and making
sure they are free from moisture before executing. It must be ensured that the tank’s
concrete surface to be lined is smooth and free from sharp, pointed objects and stones
and is devoid of all strange materials that prevent strong adhesion of the insulation
material. Then the insulation processes are carried out using one of the permitted wa-
terproofing insulation materials in conformity with the health conditions, as follows:

Waterproofing/insulation

‫دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬ 9

1. The waterproofing is carried out internally for all the concrete surfaces in con-
tact with water, provided the waterproofing material is in conformity with the
technical specifications and conditions stipulated in the specification no. SASO-
2882 on solvent-free epoxy paint meant for potable drinking water tanks and
pipes.
2. The specification no. ANSI / NSF 61, which is concerned with the components of
the potable drinking water system – the health effects of materials on drinking
water, shall be implemented.
3. The insulation process shall be carried out manually and it must be ensured that
all the areas and the pipe openings in contact with water, are covered, and all
the required tools, machinery, equipment, workers, and the materials necessary
for executing, inspecting, and testing are used.
4. The insulation should be distributed evenly on the surface, in line with the
recommendations of the manufacturing company to prepare the surface to be
insulated.

Fourth: Installing prefab High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) un-

derground water tanks

The tanks are manufactured of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) via a process

known as Roto-molding technique for producing water tanks in one piece without
any joints for more strength and durability. The tanks are designed for underground
use (inside an already prepared underground chamber). The tanks are fitted verti-
cally or horizontally for the storage of potable drinking water, in sizes that suit the
needs of the building or real estate property users, in line with the technical condi-
tions and standards of the Saudi/GCC specification no. SASO-GSO-1831, as per the
following diagram and details:

Rinsing and washing

Draining out line Safe and secure cover
drain

Feeding line
Floater (inlet port)
Prefabricated fiberglass FRP/GRP underground water tanks

Ordinary concrete base

Caption: Prefabricated fiberglass FRP/GRP underground water tanks

‫ دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬10

1. The tanks must be manufactured of 3 to 4 layers, with a solid outer layer to bear the
biggest loads and harshest climatic conditions, with a layer for protection from ultra-
violet (UV) rays, thermal insulation for maintaining the water temperature in the tank
at a lower temperature than the outside temperature, and a smooth internal layer that
prevents and resists the growth of microorganisms including bacteria and algae.
2. The materials for construction and lining – whether for the tank, manhole cover, and fit-
tings in contact with water – must be safe such that they do not cause any taste, color,
or odor in the drinking water, nor do they leave any toxic effects causing the water to be
polluted and become unfit for drinking. The specification no. ANSI / NSF 61 that applies
to components of the potable drinking water system – the health effects of materials on
drinking water – must be implemented.
3. The minimum thickness of the tank’s cylindrical outer layer at whatever fluid level in the
tank, will be determined by the manufacturing company.
4. The thickness of the wall should be sufficient to support the tank’s weight in the up-
right position, without the need for any outside support.
5. Flat, level areas should be provided to permit placing big fitting pieces on the up-
right cylindrical outer casing.
6. The tank’s crest is integrated with the cylinder casing through a molding process. The
minimum thickness of the upper crest should be the same as that of the upper portion
of the vertical wall, while the lower head should be molded in an integrated fashion with
the cylindrical wall.
7. The tanks of 10 cubic meters capacity or more, must each have three handles for lifting
it. The handles should have been poured fully integrated into the upper crest of the
tank. The lifting handles should be designed in a way allowing lifting and installing the
empty tanks.
8. The tank should be designed in such a way that it will have at least four handles molded
in an integrated fashion into the upper head. The handles ought to be designed such
that they confine the tank to its site during conditions of seismic and wind loads, with-
out any damage to the tank’s body.
9. The tank final wall should be visually flawless; like being free from strange impurities,
air bubbles, holes, swellings, cracks, fissures, and peeling, which decrease the suitabil-
ity of the tank for service, its life expectancy, and its expected long life in service as
a storage vessel. All the edges that were cut while making holes in the tank, must be
smoothened out.
10. Double flanged joints and fittings are made of virgin polyethylene. The bolts are welded
to a common support ring and coated with polyethylene to prevent liquid contact with
the metallic material. The connection flanges are fitted with a sealing ring to ensure
sealing the surface on the side of the coupling flange, and tank top.
11. The tank covers should be of the threaded type, provided with air vents and a suitable
diameter that will allow the entry of workers and maintenance and cleaning equipment.

‫ دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬11

 12. The tank shall be provided with an inlet port, an overflow drain, a rinsing and washing
drain, and a vent hole with HDPE resin pipes as per the required sizes and measure-
ments, with connecting flange with nominal pressure PN 16 bar, in addition to the in-
ternal connecting flange at the inlet side suitable for fitting float valves and a floater to
control the water level inside the tank.
13. The waterproofing filling materials and gaskets should be made of rigid polyethylene
closed cell foam or Python or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber. In
addition, suitable air vents must be provided to facilitate air circulation.
14. The tanks must be provided with glass fiber reinforced plastic ladders when needed, and
the design of all the ladders should be in conformity with the safety and occupational
health standards in force.
15. The tanks should be suitable for use in an atmosphere where humidity reaches 100%,
and temperatures reach 60 degrees Celsius. The tanks must be resistant to corrosion
and Ultraviolet (UV) rays, and should be stable, nontoxic, nonpolluting, and resistant
to microorganisms like bacteria and algae. They should be suitable for potable drinking
water applications, and in conformity with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality
Organization (SASO), or its equivalent.

Fifth: Installing prefabricated fiberglass (FRP/GRP) underground

water tanks
The prefabricated fiberglass (FRP/GRP) underground water tanks should be cylindrical in
shape having a uniform and unified wall thickness. It should be manufactured in a process
using a spinner to spin fiber threads. The tank should have a lining resistant to chemical
substances and the growth of microorganisms – bacteria and algae. It should be fitted
vertically or horizontally for water storage. The tanks should be of sizes that suit the
needs of the beneficiaries using the building or real estate property, and in line with the
technical conditions and stipulations of the Saudi/GCC Standard no. SASO-GSO-1831, and
according to the following diagram and details:

Rinsing and washing

Draining out line Safe and secure cover
drain

Feeding line
Floater (inlet port)
Prefabricated fiberglass FRP/GRP underground water tanks

Ordinary concrete base

Caption: Prefabricated fiberglass FRP/GRP underground water tanks

‫ دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬12

1. The inner lining thickness ought to be around 1 mm and should be reinforced with
a Grade “C” glass surface membrane, with a rear support mat of Grade “E” granu-
lated glass. All these are saturated with high quality isophthalic vinyl ester resins
(insoluble in water). The constructed wall of the water tank is made of a Grade “E”
glass reinforcement saturated with high quality isophthalic polyester resins.
2. The casing should be of uniform and regular thickness and composition, and of a
corresponding minimum thickness that is in conformity with the technical require-
ments of the Saudi/GCC Specifications no. SASO-GSO-2443. The outer surface
crust should be rich in resins and hardened with a Grade “C” glass cover.
3. The terminal covers of the tank are manufactured on a mold by a combination of
manual application and Grade “E” fiberglass reinforcement spray and high quality
isophthalic polyester resins. The minimum thickness and diameter of the tank cov-
ers should be in line with the design requirements in force.
4. The tank casing and the terminal covers are joined together using alternating lay-
ers of woven and resin impregnated atomized glass mat, hence ensuring a strong
weld and cohesion of all the surfaces requiring a strong bond.
5. The width of each segment should be at least 250 mm. The inner lamination
should have three layers of a rolled granulated glass mat that is impregnated with
the final resin coating.
6. The construction of the tank should include reinforcement flanges to give the tank
the sufficient hardness. The horizontal tanks should be provided with supports
for loading them. Meanwhile, vertical tanks should lie on a flat base placed on
concrete slabs.
7. The tank will have an inlet port (feeding line), surplus drainage outlet (draining
line), rinsing and washing drain, air vents for ventilation through glass reinforced
plastic (FRP/GRP) pipes (according to the required sizes) with a linking flange that
can bear a nominal pressure of PN 16 bar, in addition to an interior linkage flange
on the side of the inlet, suitable for fitting the safety valves and a floater to con-
trol the water level inside the tank.
8. The tank will be provided with a ladder made of glass reinforced plastic (FRP/GRP)
when needed. The tanks will be provided with one inlet port with an internal diam-
eter of at least 600 mm and the inlet port should be provided with a cover having
hinges and can be closed or it can be fixed with threaded screws to prevent the
entry of rainwater and dust that collect at the inlet port.
9. The tank should be provided with a mechanical floater, an indicator to show the
water level inside the tank, of the tape type with a local reading at the bottom of
the tank, or an electronic water level indicator with a device for controlling the
water level.

‫ دليل عزل خزانات المياه األرضية‬13

 10. The tank should be fixed with at least four clamps so that it does not rise when
water leaks into its surroundings.
11. All the materials used in the tanks and the fitting parts and the like, should be non-
toxic and suitable for use with potable drinking water. The FRP/GRP tanks, and their
fittings and parts used to install them must not cause any taste, odor, or color in the
drinking water. They should be in conformity with the Saudi Standards, Metrology
and Quality Organization (SASO) or with other recognized standards organizations.
12. The tanks should be suitable for use in climates where the humidity reaches 100%,
and temperatures reach 60 degrees Celsius. They should be resistant to corrosion,
and Ultraviolet (UV) rays. They ought to be stable, nontoxic, unpolluted, and resist-
ant to the growth of microorganisms including bacteria and algae. They should be
suitable for potable drinking water applications and in conformity with the technical
standards for Specification no. SASO-GSO-1831 of the Saudi/GCC Standard Specifi-
cations or the international standards BS EN 13121 / BS EN 13280, or their equiv-
alent.

Tests for waterproofing/insulation of tanks

To ensure the waterproofing/insulation has been carried out properly, there are
some tests to be carried out to verify the success of the waterproofing/insulation
works, including:
• The insulation surface is checked with the bare eyes after installation to make
sure there are no perforations or gaps, any detected flaw must be mended. The
insulated surface must also be checked using the air pressure test to make sure
the weld is leakproof.
• In the case of waterproofing/insulating the new tanks, a test is conducted by
filling the tank with water and leaving it full for 24 hours, and the surroundings
adjacent to the tank’s concrete wall is not filled with layers of soil fill, until the
test proves successful, and it is confirmed there is no water leakage.
• As to prefab tanks, the waterproofing/insulation tests to make sure the tanks
are leakproof should be carried out in line with the manufacturer’s directives, or
according to the standards of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organ-
ization (SASO), if available, or in line with the standards of the American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications (ASTM D 5199) and (ASTM D
792).
• In the case where a leakage occurs on filling the tank, the leakage points must
be pinpointed, and it must be treated by injecting the points with one of the
waterproofing materials suitable for potable drinking water. The test must be
repeated once more.

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