Custom Containerized or Skid Mounted, Heated & Insulated Water & Wastewater Storage Systems

A custom containerized water storage system by BARR Plastics built into a standard ISO shipping container. These turnkey units house insulated water tanks and heating equipment inside, allowing reliable water storage even in extreme cold climates.

Overview and Purpose

The BARR Plastics Custom Containerized Heated & Insulated Water Storage System is a self-contained water storage solution built inside a standard shipping container. It was originally developed for Arctic clients who required about 4,000 gallons of water storage in a compact, mobile format,  that was compatible with intermodal transport equipment. The purpose of this system is to store large volumes of water (or wastewater) without freezing, making it ideal for extreme cold environments. Each unit is a turnkey system that comes fully assembled with insulated tanks, heating elements, and controls, engineered to operate reliably in temperatures as low as -40 °C. In essence, the system provides a portable, climate-controlled reservoir for potable water or other liquids, ensuring a stable supply in harsh conditions where traditional tanks would freeze or fail.

Key Features and Components

• Built Inside an ISO Container: All components are enclosed within a 20-foot or 40-foot steel shipping container, providing a rugged, weatherproof outer shell. The container itself is insulated and heated internally, protecting the tanks and plumbing from the elements year-round. This design means the unit can be easily transported and deployed while keeping the sensitive components secure.
• High-Quality Storage Tanks: Inside the container, one or more heavy-duty plastic tanks (often high-density polyethylene, HDPE)  are installed to hold the water (or other liquids). These tanks are corrosion-resistant and durable, suitable for drinking water, wastewater, or even chemicals. Common configurations use dual tanks (for example, separate fresh water and wastewater tanks)  from reputable North American brands like Norwesco or Snyder. Capacities are customizable (typically in the 2,100 to 4,000+ gallon range in 20’ Containers) to meet the project’s needs.
• Advanced Thermal Insulation: To prevent freezing, the interior of the container and the tanks are highly insulated. BARR offers either spray-foam insulation or pre-fabricated insulated paneling lining the container walls and around the tanks. This closed-cell foam insulation (often at least ~2 inches thick)  provides complete thermal protection, minimizing heat loss in subzero temperatures.
• Integrated Heating System:  Each system includes a built-in heating mechanism to keep the stored water from freezing.  These are typically electric heating systems  both equipped with thermostatic control.  Electric heating often uses UL / CSA certified self-regulating heat cables or electric heaters along with insulation to provide anti-freeze protection temperature. Hydronic heating uses heated fluid (e.g. glycol water mix) circulating through coils or radiators to distribute warmth. In some cases, a hybrid approach is used, combining electric and hydronic methods for optimal performance. The thermostat and control panel ensure the internal temperature stays in a safe range without constant manual adjustment.
• Pump and Control Systems: The containerized unit is typically outfitted with all necessary pumps, piping, and controls for operation. For instance, transfer pumps can be installed to distribute water to a site, and level sensors or high-level alarms can be integrated to monitor tank levels and alert operators before overfill or low levels. All electrical components (heaters, pumps, sensors) are wired to a central control panel. Safety features like emergency shut-offs and leak detectors can be included as well, and the electrical system is designed to match the site’s power supply (commonly 120 V or 240 V). Essentially, the container is a fully functional water management station, customized to the user’s requirements.
• Robust Construction: The combination of a steel container, HDPE tanks, and protected interior components results in a very durable system built for harsh conditions. The HDPE tanks are supported and secured (often with steel framing or strapping) to prevent movement during transport or from thermal expansion. The steel container protects against impacts, snow loading, and wildlife, while also providing physical security (lockable doors) for the water supply. This robust build means the system can withstand Arctic weather, heavy snow, and rough handling without compromising the stored water.
  

Common Fields of Use

This heated, insulated container system is utilized across various sectors where cold-weather water storage is needed. Some common fields of use include:

• Mining and Resource Extraction: Mining sites and oil/gas exploration camps in remote cold regions use these systems to store large volumes of water (for drilling, processing, or domestic camp use) and sometimes for liquid additives or fuels. The robust, all-season design ensures operations can continue even during winter months at isolated sites. For example, a mining camp in Northern Canada can rely on a containerized tank for a steady water supply and for wastewater holding, avoiding the risk of liquids freezing solid in holding ponds or uninsulated tanks.
• Energy & Utilities Projects or Permanent Installations.
• Industrial Facilities: Various industrial operations (chemical plants, factories, processing facilities) that require liquids to be stored aboveground deploy heated insulated tanks to maintain those liquids at usable temperatures. In industries where water or chemical solutions must not freeze (such as a polymer slurry in a manufacturing plant), a containerized storage unit can be installed on-site to keep materials at a safe temperature, preventing process interruptions during cold weather. Industrial users appreciate that these systems can be custom-fitted with pumps, sensors, and controls to integrate into their process flow.
• Construction Projects: Large construction sites, especially in cold climates or remote areas, often need a reliable water source for activities like concrete mixing, dust control, or camps for workers. A containerized heated water tank can be stationed at a construction camp or project site to supply water or to hold wastewater. Because it’s mobile and quick to deploy, contractors can move it as the project progresses or reuse it at multiple sites. The system’s freeze protection ensures that construction can continue on schedule even during freezing temperatures, as water for equipment and personnel remains available.
• Remote Communities and Municipal Use: Small remote communities, indigenous villages, or work camps without permanent infrastructure use these insulated container systems for potable water storage and sewage holding. In areas where burying water pipes or building permanent water towers isn’t feasible (due to permafrost or cost), an insulated container tank provides a practical solution to store the community’s drinking water and firefighting reserves, or to collect wastewater, without risk of freezing. Municipal utilities in cold regions also employ heated tank units at pumping stations or treatment plants for interim storage of water or sewage. This ensures public services (like water supply and sanitation) remain operational through the winter, as the heated container keeps fluids liquid and prevent equipment damage.
• Commercial & Other Uses: Aside from the above, the system can serve commercial operations (like remote lodges, ski resorts, or farms) that need bulk water storage in winter. For example, a remote resort might use a containerized tank for its potable water and fire suppression water supply. Agricultural operations in cold climates can use similar setups to store water for livestock or irrigation, guaranteeing access to liquid water during freezes. Essentially any scenario requiring aboveground water or liquid storage in a cold environment is a potential fit.
  

Cold-Climate Applications (Canada & North America)

Operating in cold and Arctic climates is the core strength of this BARR Plastics’ systems. They are engineered for Canadian winters and similar conditions, with a proven track record in environments down to -40 °C. In Canadian and northern U.S. contexts, this means the system directly addresses challenges like water freezing, equipment cracking, and the logistical issues of remote sites. Key cold-climate application insights include:

• Freeze Prevention: The combination of insulation and automated heating ensures that water remains liquid even during prolonged sub-zero periods. This is critical for places like Northern Canada, Alaska, or high-altitude areas where standard tanks would turn to blocks of ice. By maintaining an internal environment above freezing (often kept just above 0 °C or to a desired setpoint), the system protects both the water and the tank/piping from freeze damage. For example, in a rural Yukon community with -30 °C winters, an insulated and heated storage container can hold the town’s backup drinking water supply without any ice formation. Similarly, an Arctic mining outpost can store vital water for drilling and camp use all winter, rather than having to truck water in frequently.
• All-Season Reliability: In North American regions that experience extreme seasonal swings, these containerized systems provide year-round operation. In winter they prevent freezing, and in summer they simply act as secure storage (insulation also helps keep water cooler in hot weather, incidentally). The self-contained design means blowing snow, ice storms, or bitter winds have minimal effect on the internal tanks. This reliability is crucial for remote operations—users can trust that their water supply or wastewater storage will function continuously through winter storms and cold snaps without emergency intervention.
• Minimal On-Site Infrastructure: Cold regions often pose challenges for construction (e.g., frozen ground, permafrost, or short building seasons). The containerized water unit minimizes the infrastructure needed: it sits above ground, avoiding excavation into permafrost or rocky soil, and it can be relocated if ground conditions shift. For communities in Northern Canada or projects in the far north, this flexibility means clean water storage can be established quickly without extensive civil works. The unit basically creates a mobile insulated water vault that can be delivered by truck or ship to a remote village or job site, plugged in, and made operational the same day.
• Adaptation to Harsh Conditions: Everything from the choice of materials (HDPE tanks that won’t crack, steel container exterior, freeze-proof fittings) to the layout (internal heat distribution and ventilation) is designed with cold conditions in mind. These systems are often tested for extreme climate reliability – for instance, BARR’s insulated tanks have been proven to perform at –35 °C without issues. This makes them particularly suitable for Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic applications, high-altitude mountain installations, and northern prairie winters. Whether it’s keeping potable water safe for a remote community or ensuring a wastewater holding tank doesn’t solidify at a winter road construction camp, the containerized system mitigates the risks that cold weather typically brings.
  

Transportation and Installation

One of the advantages of BARR’s containerized system is how easily it can be transported and set up, even in remote locales:

• Standard ISO Container Format: The entire system is built within a standard ISO shipping container (20 ft or 40 ft), which means it retains the form factor and structural strength for shipping. It can be moved by truck, rail, or even ship to the site like any other cargo container. This is ideal for reaching remote or northern areas – the container can be delivered over winter ice roads or by cargo ship to coastal communities. The sturdy container also has corner fittings for cranes, so it’s straightforward to unload and position on site.
• Fully Assembled Delivery: The system arrives as a complete, assembled unit from the factory. All tanks, insulation, heaters, and internal plumbing are pre-installed and tested prior to shipment. This means on-site installation work is minimal – essentially, there is no need to build or assemble the tank or enclosure in the field. For the customer, this “plug-and-play” approach translates to faster deployment and less need for specialized labor in harsh conditions.
• Minimal Site Preparation: Because it’s an above-ground container, typically the only site prep needed is a level foundation or pad (such as gravel or a concrete slab) to place the container on. There’s no excavation or deep foundation required in most cases. Once in place, the hookups are simple: connect the power supply (e.g., to a generator or local grid) and connect any inlet/outlet pipes for water flow. The unit is then ready to use. BARR advertises these systems as “plug-and-play, with minimal site setup”, underscoring how straightforward the startup is.
• Rapid Deployment: For urgent projects or emergency response in cold areas, these containerized systems can be deployed quickly. BARR Plastics notes that standard builds can be completed in as little as 6–8 weeks at the factory. Shipping to site and final hookup can add some time, but overall it allows an organization to go from concept to operational water storage in a matter of a few months, even if the location is thousands of kilometers away. This rapid turnaround is valuable for situations like disaster relief in winter, sudden remote construction needs, or fast-tracking infrastructure for communities.
• Scalable and Modular: If a project or community requires more capacity, multiple containerized units can be used together. Because each is a modular 20’ or 40’ module, they can be placed side by side or in a cluster to increase total storage or to separate different liquids (e.g., one for potable water, one for sewage). This modularity means a small operation might start with one unit and later add more as needed. Each unit remains mobile, so they can also be re-deployed or re-purposed elsewhere as projects evolve.
  

Regulatory and Compliance (Canada)

BARR Plastics designs these containerized water storage systems to meet applicable Canadian standards and regulations, which is crucial for safety and for the systems to be approved for use in different provinces. Key compliance considerations include:

Potable Water Safety Standards: When used for drinking water storage, all materials and components in contact with the water need to be safe and certified. BARR’s heated tanks are built to meet NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) standards for potable water. NSF certification (such as NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for drinking water system components) ensures that the tank and piping will not leach harmful substances and are appropriate for storing potable water. This compliance is often required by health authorities in Canada for any public drinking water storage. It means communities and companies can trust that water stored in the system remains safe for consumption.

Wastewater and Environmental Standards: For sewage or wastewater applications, the system is designed to comply with guidelines for safe containment. BARR notes that their heated holding tanks meet CSA standards (Canadian Standards Association) for sewage storage. This implies the design adheres to CSA criteria (for example, CSA B66 which covers liquid waste tanks) regarding structural integrity, leakproof design, and durability.  Meeting the requirements of  CSA-certified designs is important for regulatory approval when installing a sewage holding tank in many Canadian jurisdictions.  It ensures the tank can reliably hold sewage without contamination or failure, even in tough conditions.

Electrical and Building Codes: Because the containerized system includes electrical components (heaters, controls, possibly lighting), it must comply with Canadian electrical codes. All electrical hardware would be CSA or cUL approved for use in Canada & USA, and the wiring would be done according to the Canadian Electrical Code. The container, while a piece of equipment, might also be subject to inspection as a prefabricated structure. BARR’s experience in engineering these systems to spec means factors like ventilation, fire safety, and structural modifications to the container are handled in line with codes. For example, if an auxiliary fuel-fired heater is installed, it would include proper venting and safety shutoffs as required by code.

Transportation and Import Compliance: Since these units utilize ISO shipping containers, they maintain compliance with transport standards (e.g., CSC – Convention for Safe Containers) for structural strength. This is more a logistical compliance, but it means the container can be lawfully transported on public roads and sea/rail shipments. For customers in Canada, BARR handles the unit as a product – if it’s fabricated in Canada, it will meet local fabrication standards; if shipped across the border, it will be classified appropriately (often as equipment or prefabricated building). There aren’t heavy regulatory hurdles to use the system, apart from ensuring that local permits for installation (if any) are acquired. For instance, a municipality might require a permit for placing a large water tank on site, but having CSA/NSF compliance greatly smooths this process.

Standards for Extreme Conditions: Additionally, because these systems operate in extreme cold, certain standards or best practices are followed (though not always formalized in law). This includes using materials rated for low temperatures (so they don’t become brittle), using insulation with an adequate R-value for the local climate, and ensuring any hoses or external connections are freeze-protected. Compliance in this sense is about adhering to engineering guidelines for cold regions (for example, federal or provincial guidelines for northern utility infrastructure). BARR’s track record with installations “across Canada” in the toughest climates suggests that they incorporate those practices so that each custom system will pass inspections and perform safely in the field.

Overall, customers can be confident that the Custom Containerized Heated & Insulated Water Storage System is built not only for performance but also to meet the regulatory requirements in Canada for potable water storage and wastewater holding. The use of CSA and NSF standards in its design and fabrication ensures it aligns with national safety and health guidelines, which is essential for any project approval and long-term peace of mind.