Custom plastic tanks help infill builders meet stormwater, rainwater, potable water, and wastewater needs in tight spaces. They fit areas where standard tanks cannot. This guide shows how to order a tank, what to expect, and how BARR Plastics supports every step.
Why Customized Tank Systems Work for Urban Infill Projects
Urban sites have limited space. Access is narrow. Standard tanks often do not fit.
Customized Tanks solve this by adapting to your exact project requirements.
Key advantages
- Made to match your measurements and site layout.
- Flexible shapes and sizes for small, narrow, or irregular spaces.
- Any fitting, inlet, outlet, or access point placed exactly where needed.
- Lightweight & compact construction for rooftops, mechanical rooms, and basements.
- Space-efficient and cost-saving compared to concrete or other off-the-shelf tanks.
Builders use these tanks for stormwater detention, rainwater harvesting & reuse, greywater reuse, sewage holding, and fire-suppression reserves.
Designed to Your Specifications
Every tank is made based on your drawings, measurements, or engineering layout.
You choose:
- Tank shape
- Tank dimensions
- Capacity
- Fitting locations
- Access hatch placement
- Connection directions
- Internal supports
- Overflow, outlet and inlet locations
- Pump chamber options
This makes the tank a space-efficient, cost-saving alternative to rigid concrete or other off-the-shelf, standard poly tanks.
Shape flexibility
- Rectangular
- Tall and narrow
- Cylidrical
- Low or Narrow profile
- L-shaped
- Multi-section tanks
- Split tanks assembled on-site
If your space has a unique footprint, BARR Tanks can match it.
Most Common Applications on Urban Infill Sites
Customized Tanks Systems support several important systems.
Stormwater Detention. Stores runoff temporarily to meet city bylaws.
Rainwater Harvesting. Collects and stores roof water for irrigation or other reuse.
Potable Water Storage. Provides emergency water supply.
Greywater Holding. Supports water reuse inside the building.
Fire-Suppression Reserve. Provides on-site water for sprinkler systems in tight mechanical rooms.
Sewage Holding or Pump Chambers. Used when gravity flow or on-site treatment is not possible.
How to Order Your Customized Tank System
The ordering process is simple. Each step focuses on your needs.
Step 1: Share your project details
Send us your available space, tank purpose, burial depth and any drawings you have.
We accept:
- Architectural drawings
- Mechanical layouts
- Site measurements
- Engineering requirements
If you do not have drawings, we help you gather the right dimensions.
Step 2: Choose your tank shape and capacity
We review your engineered site plan to ensure best fit for the Tank System.
Common examples:
- Tall and narrow tanks for mechanical rooms
- Low-profile tanks for under-deck or portable building installations
- Long rectangular tanks for narrow side yards
- Sectional tanks carried in through doors or elevators
You select the size, shape, and fitting placement.
Step 3: Receive a custom design and quote
Our fabrication team prepares:
- A tank design based on your space
- A proposed fitting layout
- A customized quote
You can adjust anything before approval.
Step 4: Approve drawings
Once the design matches your requirements, you sign off on the drawings.
This ensures all fittings, access ports, and connections match your system and site design.
Production begins after approval.
Step 5: Production and quality checks
Your tank is built in our fabrication shop.
We complete full watertight testing before delivery.
You receive updates during production, especially for complex projects.
Step 6: Delivery and installation support
If chosen, we schedule delivery based on your site needs.
If access is tight, we provide multi-section tanks that can be carried inside and assembled at site.
Our team offers guidance on:
- Placement
- Mounting
- Connection points
- Maintenance access
We make sure your system works the way you planned.
Customer Support Throughout the Project
We support you from start to finish.
Design support
Our team helps solve space challenges with customized tank footprints and fitting locations.
Technical support
We assist Building Contractors, Engineers, and Homeowners with:
- Stormwater compliance
- Rainwater system design
- Pump and plumbing options
- Access and maintenance planning
Flexible solutions for tight sites
We have provided tanks to fit through basements & crawl spaces, stairwells, and small mechanical rooms. We select the right sizing for each project.
Proven Success on Infill Projects
We have completed many customized Tank builds for infill sites across British Columbia and other regions.
Examples:
- A narrow-lot home needed stormwater detention under a small deck. We created a low-profile tank that fit below the deck, while still providing access for inspection.
- A multi-level home required a potable water reserve tank in a tight mechanical room. We designed a tall, slim tank with fittings placed to match existing plumbing.
- A laneway house needed a sewage holding tank with restricted access to be connected to a sewer main. We delivered a customized tank to fit the space available, that came with an integrated pump chamber with adequate pressure to connect to the sewer main.
These projects highlight how flexible custom tanks can be in tight urban environments.
Why This Solution Saves Space and Money
Customized Tank Systems let you design around your site instead of redesigning your site around a tank.
Benefits
- Fit tight or unusual spaces without major construction changes.
- Avoid crane rentals and heavy-equipment costs.
- Reduce excavation on small lots.
- Install tanks in indoor space(s) available when outdoor space is limited or impractical.
The result is a solution that is efficient, practical, and built exactly for your project.
“When a standard tank won’t fit, BARR builds the tank that will. We specialize in tight, difficult, or impossible access projects by delivering modular, welded, and custom-shaped tanks designed specifically for your space.”
