Quick answer: Most South African homes need a 2,000 to 5,000 litre tank to ride out a three-day water cut. Multiply 150 litres by the number of people, then by the days you want covered, and add a safety margin. A family of four fits a JoJo 2,400 L tank at R3,402, while a big household or farm homestead suits 5,000 L from R4,452. Kamano tank prices run from R1,104.60 (JoJo 260 L) to R43,010 (20,000 L).
Why are so many South Africans buying water tanks?
Municipal supply is failing in many places. One Johannesburg report counted at least 22 major outages between 31 December 2025 and mid-February 2026, and found that about 27% of the water the city buys from Rand Water is lost to leaks and illegal connections. Old pipes and slow repairs mean taps run dry for days, and sometimes for months in particular suburbs.
Tank makers see the shift. JoJo’s sales and marketing executive told Engineering News in March 2026 that pump and tank sales had grown by a double-digit rate over two years, and that buyers now want complete tank-to-tap systems, not just a tank on a slab.
How many litres do I need per person per day?
Tank suppliers usually plan on 150 litres per person per day. You will also see 235 litres quoted as a national average, but Africa Check points out that this figure includes industry and leakage, so real household use can be far lower. For planning backup storage, 150 litres is a sensible and slightly generous number.
The formula is simple: people x litres per day x days of cover + 20% margin. If part of the tank is permanently filled from the municipal line (an integrated system), the tank needs to be bigger, because some of it is always occupied.
What size water tank do I need? (sizes and prices)
The table below matches common situations to real tanks in the Kamano store. Prices are in rand, VAT included, and were current when this post was published.
| Capacity | Suits | Example tank | Price | Approx. R per litre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 260 to 500 L | Garden use, one or two people, a few hours of backup | JoJo 260 L Vertical | R1,104.60 | R4.25 |
| 1,000 L | Flat or small home, one day of cover for four people | 1,000 L Slimline | R1,972 | R1.97 |
| 2,400 L | Family of four, three days of cover | JoJo 2,400 L Vertical | R3,402 | R1.42 |
| 5,000 L | Large household, small farm homestead, garden irrigation | 5,000 L Vertical | R4,452 | R0.89 |
| 10,000 L | Small farm, school, workshop, a week of cover for a household | 10,000 L Vertical | R12,336 | R1.23 |
| 20,000 L | Farm, estate, commercial site | JoJo 20,000 L Vertical | R42,219.45 | R2.11 |
Notice that bigger is not always cheaper per litre. The 5,000 L tank is among the best value in the range, while the largest single tanks cost more per litre because of the extra material and size.
Worked example: a family of four in Polokwane
A family of four uses about 600 litres a day (4 x 150). The municipality cuts supply for up to three days at a time, so they need 1,800 litres. Adding a 20% margin gives 2,160 litres, and the next size up is a JoJo 2,400 L tank at R3,402.
Now the same family wants to water a vegetable garden and keep a week of reserve. A week is 4,200 litres, so a 5,000 L tank at R4,452 is the better buy. It costs about R1,050 more than the 2,400 L tank but holds more than twice the water.
A farm example: when to buy several tanks
A homestead with eight people needs 1,200 litres a day, so three days of cover is 3,600 litres, plus stock water on top. Instead of one 20,000 L tank, consider the bulk buy of five 5,000 L vertical tanks. That is 25,000 litres for R20,900, or about R0.84 per litre, against R42,219.45 for a single JoJo 20,000 L. Several tanks also mean you can keep supplying water while one is cleaned or repaired.
Which tank shape is right: vertical, slimline, low profile or underground?
- Vertical: the standard, best value per litre, needs a round slab.
- Slimline: narrow, made to fit beside a wall or in a tight yard. Costs more per litre.
- Low profile: short and wide, useful where height is restricted or when a tank must sit below a roofline.
- Underground: saves space and keeps water cool, but costs far more and needs excavation and careful installation.
If your goal is to catch roof water, our rainwater harvesting range has kits made for that job.
What base does a water tank need?
JoJo advises that a vertical tank must stand on a fully level surface, ideally a solid concrete slab at least 85 mm thick, laid on well-compacted ground. Make the slab at least 100 mm wider than the tank so the edge does not overhang. Water weighs roughly one kilogram per litre, so a full 5,000 L tank carries more than five tonnes of load on that slab.
If you want gravity pressure, a tank on a 3 m steel stand gives only about 0.3 bar, while municipal supply is typically around 4 bar. A pump delivers 4 to 6 bar, which is why most people pair a tank with a booster pump. Avoid homemade timber stands.
What mistakes do people make when sizing a tank?
- Buying for today’s outage only. Outages that last a day this year can last a week next year, so size for at least three days.
- Ignoring the footprint. A 5,000 L tank is 1,800 mm wide, so measure the space, the path to it and the overhead clearance before you order.
- Forgetting the pump. Without one, only the taps lower than the tank will run, and slowly.
- Skimping on the slab. A cracked slab costs more to fix than to build properly.
- Drinking untreated tank water. Rain and municipal water can pick up dirt and bacteria in storage, so add a filter and UV if you drink from it.
Basic backup or rainwater set-ups are often DIY-friendly, but connecting to the municipal main with automatic switching and pressure control is a job for a qualified plumber, as JoJo notes.
What should I budget for a tank and pump system?
A tank alone stores water but will not push it through your taps. Budget for the slab, fittings, a pump and, if you drink from the tank, filtration.
- Tank only: from R3,402 (2,400 L) or R4,452 (5,000 L).
- Tank with pump, ready to plumb: the 2,200 L garden tank combo with a 0.37 kW pump and tap costs R4,028. Browse all tank and pump combo kits.
- Pump alone: see the water booster pumps if you already own a tank.
- Everything for an outage: our guide to a full-house backup water system covers the tank, pump, filter and UV together.
Browse the full water tanks range for every size.
How does delivery work, and what does it cost?
Kamano delivers with its own trucks from its yard in Polokwane to all 9 provinces in 1 to 3 business days. Delivery is charged by order weight, VAT included: R550 up to 30 kg, R950 up to 60 kg and R1,450 up to 100 kg. Over 100 kg is quoted, and larger tanks are likely to fall into that band, so ask for a quote. Orders of R20,000 or more get free delivery with coupon code KH027 (the code does not work below R20,000). The five-tank bulk buy at R20,900 qualifies.
Check delivery to Polokwane or pick your city on the delivery pages. Payment is by EFT. For resellers, farms and contractors, request a trade quote at the quote page, or call or WhatsApp +27 73 679 0837 or email sales@kamanoindustrial.co.za. Water tanks carry a warranty of 1 to 2 years, depending on the model.
Buying from outside South Africa?
Kamano’s standard delivery covers South Africa only. Buyers in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho should contact Kamano before ordering to discuss cross-border options.
Sources
- AllAfrica (Our City News): Johannesburg’s water woes continue into 2026
- Mining Weekly / Engineering News: tank and pump sales up owing to municipal inefficiencies (20 March 2026)
- Daily Maverick: backup water tank options for your home
- JoJo: choosing and installing your JoJo tank
Frequently asked questions
What size JoJo tank do I need for a family of four?
Plan on 150 litres per person per day. For four people that is 600 litres daily, so three days of backup needs 1,800 litres. Add roughly 20% as a margin and a 2,400 L tank is the usual choice. If you also irrigate a garden, step up to 5,000 L.
How much does a 5,000 litre water tank cost in South Africa in 2026?
At Kamano, a 5,000 L vertical water tank costs R4,452 and a JoJo 5,250 L costs R4,686.15, VAT included. Prices vary by brand and shape, so slimline and underground tanks of similar size cost noticeably more. Always compare the price per litre.
What do I need under a water tank?
A fully level surface, ideally a solid concrete slab at least 85 mm thick on well-compacted ground, and at least 100 mm wider than the tank. A full tank weighs about one kilogram per litre, so a poor base can crack or tilt.
Will a tank give me good water pressure?
Not by itself. A tank on a 3 m stand gives only about 0.3 bar, while municipal supply is typically around 4 bar. A pressure pump delivers 4 to 6 bar, so most homes pair the tank with a booster pump.