With the recent developments in the real estate sector and the push by most Kenyans to become homeowners, developers are moving away from some structural designs for houses.
Since water remains one of the critical factors driving the demand for land and houses, Kenyans are embracing different ways of harvesting and storing the precious commodity.
However, underground water tanks have become less popular in modern house designs. In the latest designs, architects and constructors are picking rooftop tanks.
Underground tanks lost popularity due to the cost and the associated maintenance headache. Underground tanks are tanks that are buried below ground level.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), in a report dated 2019, estimated that over 1.2 million households in the country had access to piped water. The data further revealed that about 10 per cent of those households had underground tanks, translating to 120,000 underground tanks in Kenya.
But most homeowners started going for raised tanks which are affordable, ranging from Ksh20,000 up to Ksh50,000 depending on the size.
Concrete underground water tanks, on the other hand, cost as much as Ksh100,000 to Ksh150,000.
Why They Are Losing Popularity
Cost
Underground tanks are more expensive to install than above-ground ones. To install them, homeowners are expected to excavate, which is costly and time-consuming at the same time.
Charges for paying workers setting up the underground tanks and purchasing are also priced to some homeowners.
Maintenance
According to Water Tanks Kenya, a company dealing with water storing equipment, water tank maintenance costs depend on size.
Bigger ones tend to attract more charges. Besides size, accessing water tanks increases maintenance charges for underground tanks compared to above-ground ones.
Contamination
According to research by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) , underground tanks are more susceptible to contamination.
"Ground catchments yield runoff that is laden with sediments, dirt, as well as other pollutants," JKUAT stated.
In the research, JKUAT indicated that underground water tanks tend to be more prone to contamination because they are in contact with the ground, which can contain bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants.
Security
According to most homeowners ditching underground water, securing them is more costly compared to those installed above ground.
This is because tanks raised above the ground are easily accessible and visible, making it easy for the owners to access and fix them.
Leaking
Most leaks occur due to incorrectly constructed fittings or due to improper installation. Leaking can also occur as a result of corrosion and mechanical damage.
Leaking underground pose serious environmental hazards and health problems to homeowners.
Despite the disadvantages, some homeowners opt for underground tanks to save space. They provide opportunities for proper landscaping, unlike the overground tank. For example, it can be built under a parking spot.
Underground tanks maintain stable temperatures all year round, regardless of the season.
