Canada holds nearly 20% of the world’s freshwater reserves and about 7% of its annually renewable water, and yet access to safe, drinkable water is far from guaranteed.
Freshwater resources are unevenly distributed across the country, and pressures from climate change, population growth, and industrial activity are increasing.
For municipalities and water system operators, the challenge is protecting water quality from treatment through to delivery. At Greatario, we help communities meet that challenge by providing the water tanks, towers, and liquid storage systems that keep potable water clean, secure, and accessible where it’s needed most.
Understanding how potable water is stored and protected is critical to ensuring public health and sustainable municipal infrastructure. In this article, we’ll break down what potable water means, why safe storage matters, and how modern tank and tower systems help communities meet today’s rising water quality standards. Read on to see why potable water storage is one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of Canada’s clean water network.
In towns and cities across Canada, the availability of clean, safe drinking water is often taken for granted. But behind every reliable water tap is a system of infrastructure that ensures that water meets strict safety standards. This starts at treatment facilities and ends in secure liquid storage.
💧Potable water is water that’s safe for human consumption. That means it’s free from harmful levels of bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemical contaminants. Whether it’s drawn from a reservoir, lake, or groundwater source, all drinking water must be treated, tested, and stored to meet stringent health standards before it reaches homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.
When it comes to municipal leadership, the question isn’t just “what is potable water?”, it’s how to safeguard it. Safe water isn’t possible without high-performing tanks, towers, and distribution systems that protect quality after treatment. That’s where storage design, inspection, and maintenance become just as critical as purification.
Potable water is defined by its compliance with health-based guidelines set by national and provincial authorities. In Canada, those standards come from Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. These define the maximum acceptable concentrations of microbial and chemical contaminants in public water supplies.
To be classified as potable, water must meet the following criteria:
While filtration and disinfection are key to producing potable water, what happens after treatment matters are just as important. Poorly maintained storage tanks or distribution systems can reintroduce risks, including microbial growth, corrosion byproducts, or sediment that compromises water safety.
Before water is considered potable, it must go through a series of treatment steps designed to remove physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. Most municipal systems in Canada follow a similar multi-barrier approach:
While these steps produce safe drinking water, maintaining that safety after treatment is equally important. That’s why storage systems, especially tanks and water towers, need to be carefully considered.
Potable water storage helps regulate system pressure, meet peak demand, and provide reserves for firefighting or emergency use. But if tanks are poorly designed, aging, or improperly maintained, they can introduce new risks. Standing water may allow microbial regrowth, deteriorating coatings may leach contaminants, and sediment can compromise water clarity and safety.
Choosing the right liquid storage solution is key to delivering safe, reliable potable water. At Greatario, we provide engineered tank systems that meet the specific needs of municipal, industrial, and commercial applications. Each of our portable water tanks is designed to protect water quality, support system performance, and extend asset life.
Our most trusted solution for potable water storage, glass-fused-to-steel (GFS) tanks combine the strength of steel with the corrosion resistance of a high-performance glass coating. These tanks do not require repainting and offer one of the lowest total lifecycle costs in the industry.
GFS tanks are ideal for municipal water towers and ground storage systems, providing long-term durability with minimal maintenance. Installed with precision and backed by advanced coating technology, these tanks are a reliable choice for communities seeking a long lasting tower with lower on-going costs.
Epoxy-coated tanks offer flexible protection for a wide range of municipal and industrial water storage needs. Our epoxy systems are custom-coated to meet site-specific requirements and are a proven option for both new installations and retrofits.
Greatario’s installation teams ensure coating quality is maintained during construction, and we provide full support throughout the tank’s lifecycle—from engineering to inspection.
When space is limited or fast deployment is required, GRP sectional tanks provide a lightweight, modular alternative. These are often used in commercial and institutional settings, such as schools, hospitals, or high-density developments where rooftop or basement installation is needed.
Despite their lightweight design, GRP tanks are highly durable and can be configured to meet a wide range of potable water demands.
When people ask, “What is potable water?”, the answer isn’t only about water treatment, it’s also about storage and long-term system integrity. Potable water must remain safe and clean after it leaves the treatment facility, and that depends heavily on how it’s stored and maintained.
Storage tanks that serve potable water systems are exposed to gradual wear over time. Internal coatings can deteriorate, sediment can build up, and corrosion can develop. All of these issues can quickly compromise water quality. Regular inspection and maintenance are key to preventing these issues before they affect public health.
Routine inspections ensure that tanks remain structurally sound and sanitary. The AWWA recommends full inspections every 3 to 5 years, but many municipalities inspect more frequently, especially for older or heavily used systems.
Greatario works with municipalities across Canada to protect their potable water assets with trusted inspection and cleaning services:
Every inspection includes a detailed report with findings, high-resolution images, and clear next steps. It’s how Greatario helps communities maintain potable water infrastructure that performs safely and reliably over the long term.
When the Town of Saint-Léonard, New Brunswick, faced damage to its 20-year-old glass-fused-to-steel water tower caused by unexpected internal ice build-up, the community needed a fast, reliable solution.
Greatario partnered with the town to deliver a complete rehabilitation project — replacing the tank’s knuckle roof with a long-lasting geodesic aluminum dome and reinforcing the top ring for enhanced durability.
The result: restored water security, reduced maintenance costs, and a renewed sense of trust in the system’s long-term reliability.
👉 Read the full case study: Restoring Water Security in Saint-Léonard, NB
As Canada’s infrastructure ages and climate pressures grow, the reliability of potable water systems will depend on smart design, durable materials, and proactive maintenance. Every tank, tower, and storage system plays a crucial role in water security — ensuring clean, safe water continues to flow even as demand and environmental challenges rise.
Modern potable water storage isn’t just about capacity; it’s about resilience. With extreme weather, shifting groundwater conditions, and evolving treatment standards, municipalities and industries need systems that can adapt. Investing in proper tank inspection, cleaning, and rehabilitation safeguards not only today’s water supply, but also the health and sustainability of future generations.
At Greatario, we see every project as part of that bigger picture. From municipal reservoirs to rural towers, our focus is helping communities build long-term water resilience — one storage system at a time.
Potable water is water that is safe to drink and meets public health standards for microbiological, chemical, and physical quality.
It’s treated using filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection to remove contaminants and pathogens.
Storage tanks maintain water quality after treatment, regulate pressure, and ensure supply during peak demand or emergencies.
Glass-fused-to-steel, epoxy-coated, and GRP sectional tanks are commonly used due to their durability and corrosion resistance.
Industry standards recommend inspections every 3 to 5 years, or more frequently for aging or high-use systems.
VP of Sales | Greatario Group
Jeff leads national sales strategy and customer development for Greatario, guiding teams across Canada to deliver trusted engineered water storage solutions.