EVERY DROP COUNTS. Potable water is an essential provision that requires absolutely clean, watertight facilities to process and store it.

The waterproofing of reservoirs and tanks containing potable water must be:

  • Watertight over long periods
  • Easily maintainable
  • Food safe
  • Harmless to health
80%
of Ireland’s drinking water comes from rivers and lakes.¹

¹Source: Southern Scientific Services

The Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant produces around
300 million
litres of water each day.¹
In 2024,
497,000
people in Ireland were served “at-risk” drinking water.¹

Types of Water Reservoirs

Tanks
3D rendering - Above ground water tank
Towers
3D rendering - Above ground water tower
Tanks
3D rendering - Water tank concrete solutions
Caverns / Cisterns
3D rendering - Below ground water cistern

Typical Exposures and Tips for Design

There are many factors that may affect the degradation of water tanks and structures in water treatment plants. By understanding the cause of damage, you can better know how to treat it, repair it and prevent it from long-term deterioration. These are the most common exposures affecting water storage areas.  

 
General Considerations for Design and Specification
  • Durability and water-tightness
  • Exposures, site conditions and ecology
  • Easily maintainable
  • Food safe and harmless to health
  • Compatibility of systems
  • Life cycle costing

System Solution Overview

Illustration of Sika bitumen and sheet membrane waterproofing on external below ground structure or water tank
Sika illustration of concrete water tank below grade with White Box concept waterproofing
Sika illustration of concrete water tank below grade with Sikalastic liquid applied waterproofing
Illustration of Sika waterproofing and concrete repair on external below ground structure or water tank

1. External Waterproofing

To keep drinking water in below-ground storage tanks clean, it has to be protected from groundwater entering the structure.

Fully-bonded polymeric sheet membrane

Sika Solutions

Hot air welding application of SikaProof® A+ fully bonded waterproofing membrane

SikaProof® A+ pre-applied, fully-bonded FPO membrane

Bituminous membrane

Sika Solutions

Man applying wet applied bitumen membrane adhesive with trowel on below-grade wall

Sika® Igolflex®-301 bitumen based liquid coating

Application of Sikaproof waterproofing membrane on below ground structure

2. Concrete Solutions

The Sika® Watertight Concrete System offers a comprehensive solution for watertight structures. The system consists of concrete that has been specially modified with Sika admixtures to produce waterproof concrete and carefully selected waterstops for construction and movement joints. Watertight concrete structures can be designed to keep water in or out, or both.

Concrete admixtures

Sika Solutions

Concrete ready for spraying

Sika® ViscoCrete® and Sika® Plastiment mid and high range water-reducing admixtures for reducing pore volumes and improving rheology for consistency

Joint sealing

Sika Solutions

Sika waterbar water stop applied in poured concrete with rebar reinforcment construction site

Sika Waterbar® internal and external waterstops based on hygiene-approved FPO, cast in concrete for waterproofing joints
Sika Waterbar® FB-125 + Sika Waterbar® D-240 FPO flexible, fully-bonded hybrid waterstop (FPO-based) for construction joints
Sikadur-Combiflex® SG System adhesive tape of FPO, bonded with approved Sikadur® adhesive for post-applied joint sealing
SikaFuko® ready-to-use and re-injectable injection hose with or without reverse flow and hydro-swelling properties for waterproofing construction joints

Sika Combiflex waterproofing tape at water tank concrete

3. Internal Waterproofing and Protection

Sika provides a wide range of different waterproofing systems and solutions. The selection of the best system for a specific project depends on many factors, including local water conditions. The most suitable waterproofing system depends on the nature of the reservoir structure and the water quality.

Waterproofing mortars

Sika Solutions

Sika Sikalastic spray applied waterproofing for water tank construction with workers

Sikalastic®-1K ES one-component, polymer-modified cementitious waterproofing with crack-bridging ability
Sikalastic®-6100 FX lightweight, one-component, elastic cementitious membrane for waterproofing and concrete protection

Multi-layer epoxy resins

Sika Solutions

Sika Sikagard waterproofing for water tank construction with scaffolding and workers

Sikagard®-62 two-component coating based on epoxy resin
Sika® Reemat Premium optional reinforcement of the epoxy coating for crack-bridging ability

Sika spray applied blue waterproofing at water tank

4. Concrete Repair

When there is loss of water in reservoirs or tanks due to localized damage in the rigid waterproofing system, the appropriate repair must be done. It should be compatible with the waterproofing system, whether watertight concrete or lined with waterproofing mortar layers.

Concrete spalling

Sika Solutions

Man spraying mortar

Sika MonoTop®-1010 one-part, cementitious, polymer modified coating material used as bonding primer and reinforcement corrosion protection

Joint sealing

Sika Solution

Sikadur Combiflex waterproofing tape being applied with hot air welder at concrete joint in Glattbrugg, Switzerland

Sikadur-Combiflex® System adhesive tape based on FPO, bonded with Sikadur® adhesive for post applied joint sealing system; sealing around pipe penetrations and access door frames

Waterproofing mortars

Sika Solutions

Sika Sikalastic spray applied waterproofing for water tank construction with workers

Sikalastic®-1K ES one-component, polymer-modified cementitious waterproofing with crack-bridging ability
Sikalastic®-6100 FX lightweight, one-component, elastic cementitious membrane for waterproofing and concrete protection

Injection for crack sealing

See Some of Sika's Potable Water Solutions

Sika Combiflex waterproofing tape at water tank concrete
Image: Reservoir in Dupail, France: 900 m of Sikadur® Combiflex® SG Tapes
Sika Sikalastic spray applied waterproofing for water tank construction with workers
Image: Rapid refinery in Pengerang, Malaysia: Tank refurbishment with Sikalastic®-1K (spray application), Sikadur® Combiflex® SG Tapes and Sikaflex® PRO-3
Sika Sikagard waterproofing for water tank construction with scaffolding and workers
Image: Desalinated potable water storage tank in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia: 90,000 m2 of Sikafloor®-161, Sikagard® PW
Sika blue waterproofing for water tank with ladder in Oman
Image: Drinking water tank in Oman: Multi-layer - Sikafloor®-161, Sikagard ® PW in blue color
Sika Sikalastic 840-ES spray applied waterproofing for water tank construction with worker on scaffolding
Image: Basin in San Esteban, Spain: 800 m2 of Sikafloor®-161 and Sikalastic ®-840 ES
Sika Sikalastic 840-ES spray applied blue waterproofing for water tank construction with worker
Image: Reservoir in Santa Cruz del Valle, Spain: 1,800 m2 of Sikafloor®-161, Sikalastic®-840 ES
Sikaplan waterproofing membrane on water tower construction in Mexico
Image: Water tower in Leon, Mexico: Sikaplan® WT-4220
Sika blue waterproofing membrane on water tower foundation construction in Belgium
Image: Water tower in Beersel, Belgium: Sikaplan® WT-4220

Complete, Comprehensive Products and Systems

Interior of public drinking water reservoir in Offenberg Germany with Sikaplan waterproofing membrane

 

Sika waterproofing products used in potable water reservoirs and tanks comply with the strict regulations of public water authorities. The food and beverage industry relies on the high performance of Sika waterproofing systems in their process water tanks.

As the global leader in providing structural waterproofing solutions, Sika has the most complete, comprehensive range of products and systems. They are designed and can be adapted to meet the specific needs and requirements of owners of water reservoirs, architects, engineers and contractors on site.

Systems Plus Knowhow: Sika's Holistic Approach to Water Infrastructure

Sika empowers water infrastructure owners, architects, engineers, operators, and contractors with comprehensive support, ensuring project success.
Our commitment extends beyond providing high-quality products; we offer:

Expert Guidance
  • In-depth technical advice and assistance throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Comprehensive support for refurbishment projects, including specification development, detailing, method statements, and application guidance.
  • Expertise in designing new structures for long-term durability.
Cost-Effective Solutions
  • Sika's expertise minimises overall project costs by optimising performance and extending service life.
Comprehensive Product Portfolio

Sika delivers a complete range of durable and reliable solutions specifically engineered for demanding water infrastructure applications, including:

  • Concrete admixtures
  • Waterproofing membranes
  • Concrete protection coatings
  • Watertight joint systems
  • Concrete repair and reinforcement systems