Norwesco Water Tanks: Complete Buyer's Guide

Norwesco is the largest manufacturer of polyethylene tanks in North America. Their product line covers nearly every water storage application — from a 100-gallon homeowner tank to a 10,000-gallon agricultural reservoir — and their tanks are sold through farm supply stores, irrigation distributors, and online retailers across the US. If you're buying a poly water tank in North America, there's a good chance it's a Norwesco.

This guide covers every Norwesco tank type, current pricing, and the right model for each use case.

Why Norwesco Is the Default Choice

Norwesco dominates the poly tank market for a straightforward reason: availability. Their distribution network covers every major agricultural and rural market in North America. When a farmer in Iowa needs a 500-gallon tank for a stock watering system, or a contractor in Texas needs a 250-gallon water tank for a job site, Norwesco is almost always the brand at the local co-op or farm supply store.

Quality is consistent — rotationally molded virgin polyethylene with UV stabilizers baked in during manufacturing, not added as a coating. The tanks are seamless (no welded joints to fail), resistant to rust and corrosion, and rated for a 20–30 year service life under normal conditions. They're not the cheapest option in every size category, but they're the most reliably available and the most widely serviced.

Norwesco Tank Types

Vertical Flat-Bottom Tanks

The most common Norwesco tank — a round cylindrical tank with a flat bottom designed to sit on a level concrete or compacted gravel pad. Available in white, black, and green. Black is standard for outdoor water storage (UV protection, algae inhibition). White is used for chemical storage where visual inspection of contents is needed. These are the workhorse tanks for farm water supply, fire suppression storage, and residential water backup.

Prices based on current eBay listings — freight shipping adds $150–$500 for most sizes above 200 gallons. Pickup from seller location available on some listings.

Leg Tanks (Elliptical & Standard)

Leg tanks have molded-in legs that raise the tank 6–12 inches off the ground, enabling gravity-feed drainage from the outlet valve without a pump. Standard leg tanks are round or rectangular; elliptical leg tanks have a wider, lower profile designed to fit through standard doorways and into truck beds, equipment rooms, and tight spaces.

The elliptical design is common in agricultural chemical mixing stations, nurse tank applications, and anywhere a lower center of gravity is needed. Sizes range from 335 gallons up through 5,025 gallons in the elliptical line.

Pickup Truck & Horizontal Tanks

Norwesco's pickup truck tanks are purpose-built to fit in standard truck beds — low profile, horizontal orientation, with a sump drain and top fill opening. These are the standard choice for water hauling, spot spraying, livestock watering from a vehicle, and mobile washing applications. The 210-gallon and 325-gallon are the most common sizes for full-size truck beds.

Horizontal leg tanks serve a similar function for trailer-mounted applications — longer and lower than vertical tanks, with mounting legs that bolt to a trailer deck. See our water storage sizing guide if you're unsure whether a truck tank or trailer-mounted tank fits your needs better.

Cone Bottom Tanks

Cone bottom tanks have a funnel-shaped bottom that directs all contents to a single low-point outlet — essential for applications where complete drainage is required. Common uses include chemical mixing stations, liquid fertilizer distribution, sedimentation systems, and any process where leaving residual liquid in the tank is unacceptable. Cone bottom tanks require a stand to hold them upright — Norwesco sells matching poly stands with most cone bottom sizes.

Underground Cisterns

Norwesco manufactures below-ground poly cisterns for rainwater harvesting, septic holding, and underground water storage. These are engineered specifically for burial — with reinforced walls rated for soil loading — and are a separate product line from standard above-ground tanks. Do not bury standard Norwesco above-ground tanks; they will fail under soil pressure.

The 2,000-gallon underground cistern is the most common residential size. Larger underground tanks (3,000–5,000 gallon) are available but typically require heavy equipment for installation.

Doorway Tanks (Freestanding Slim Tanks)

Norwesco's doorway tanks — also called slimline or freestanding tanks — are designed with a narrow profile (under 30 inches wide) that fits through a standard 32-inch doorframe. They stand without a frame or support structure, making them popular for garages, basements, utility rooms, and anywhere a standard round tank won't fit. The tanks are food-grade white HDPE and rated for potable water storage.

The most searched Norwesco doorway tank is the 400-gallon model (part# 43856) — 29" wide, 70" tall, 66" deep, ~$1,165 retail. A full family of doorway sizes is available from 250 to 1,000 gallons.

Norwesco Part Number Reference

Norwesco tanks are sold under consistent part numbers across all distributors. If you're looking for a specific model, searching by part number returns exact matches faster than searching by size alone. Here are the most commonly searched Norwesco part numbers:

Norwesco vs. Snyder vs. Chem-Tainer

Norwesco dominates on availability — their distribution network is unmatched. Snyder Industries is the other major US poly tank manufacturer and produces a comparable product at similar price points. The practical difference between a Norwesco and a Snyder tank of the same size and specification is minimal — both use virgin polyethylene, both are rotationally molded, and both carry similar warranties. Buy whichever is more readily available from your local supplier.

Chem-Tainer specializes in chemical storage tanks and has a stronger presence in industrial chemical applications. For clean water storage, Norwesco and Snyder are the standard choices. For corrosive chemical applications, verify chemical compatibility regardless of brand — HDPE compatibility with your specific chemical is what matters, not the brand name on the tank.

Where to Buy Norwesco Tanks

Local dealers (best for most buyers): Farm supply stores (TSC, Rural King, local co-ops), irrigation supply dealers, and water system suppliers carry Norwesco tanks. Buying local eliminates freight costs — which run $150–$500 for most sizes — and lets you inspect before accepting delivery. Call ahead; many dealers stock common sizes (100–550 gallon range) but order larger sizes.

eBay (best for uncommon sizes and price comparison): eBay has the widest Norwesco selection available online. The seller 6122yale stocks most of the Norwesco lineup and ships freight nationwide. Prices are competitive with local dealers and sometimes better. Use the eBay links throughout this guide to check current availability and pricing.

Direct from distributor: For tanks above 5,000 gallons or specialized configurations, contact a Norwesco regional distributor directly. Large tanks often require factory-direct ordering regardless of channel.

Find Your Size Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Norwesco tanks made?+

Norwesco tanks are manufactured in the United States. Norwesco is headquartered in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, and operates rotational molding facilities across the US. All Norwesco poly tanks are made from virgin polyethylene resin in domestic facilities.

How long do Norwesco tanks last?+

Norwesco poly tanks typically last 20–30 years under normal conditions. UV-stabilized polyethylene resists sunlight degradation. Proper installation — level pad, no direct burial unless rated, no overfilling — extends tank life significantly. Norwesco backs most tanks with a limited manufacturer's warranty.

Are Norwesco tanks food grade?+

Norwesco manufactures both food-grade and non-food-grade tanks. FDA-compliant models use virgin polyethylene suitable for potable water. Black tanks are typically food-grade. White and green tanks vary by model — always confirm the specific part number's food-grade rating before using for drinking water storage.

What is the difference between a leg tank and a vertical tank?+

A vertical flat-bottom tank sits directly on a level pad. A leg tank has molded-in legs that elevate the tank 6–12 inches, enabling gravity-feed drainage without a pump and making installation on uneven surfaces easier. Leg tanks are common in chemical mixing and spray system applications.

Can Norwesco tanks be buried underground?+

Standard above-ground Norwesco tanks cannot be buried — they will deform under soil pressure. Norwesco makes specific below-ground cisterns engineered for underground installation. These are a separate product line with reinforced walls rated for burial depth and are significantly more expensive than equivalent above-ground tanks.

How much does it cost to ship a Norwesco tank?+

Freight costs for Norwesco tanks typically run $150–$500 depending on tank size, distance, and carrier. Tanks under 200 gallons sometimes ship standard freight; larger tanks require LTL freight with lift gate delivery. Local dealer pickup eliminates shipping costs entirely — call your nearest farm supply store or irrigation dealer first to check stock before ordering online.