Large Storage Containers

Mistwalker · May 19, 2009

Ok heres the deal, I have the opportunity to obtain some used containers. They are large, well made, on metal pallets, and in metal cages. The problem is they are used chemical containers that held chemicals used by the waste treatment facility here. They say not to reuse unless properly reconditioned and Id like to know what that entails. Id like to know if these can be reconditioned to a point where they could be used to store (A) Hopefully potable water, (B) Collect rain water in for the garden, (C) Or last to store fuel in if the need arose.

Does anybody have an knowledge of this chemical.

This is the label. I personally thought "a slight hazzard" meant slightly hazzardous...but according to the label it is a slight hazzard but a "non hazzardous" material

This is the notice on reconditioning.

This is the containers themselves and how they are made.

This is the handling instructions and the manufacturer.

Anyone have any real knowledge on this?

Munky · May 19, 2009

I don't know a whole lot about chemicals, but I probably wouldn't risk drinking water out of that or eating veggies that were watered with it. Plastics containers tend to absorb their contents over time. You wouldn't want to grow a third arm or a tail or something....

Mistwalker · May 19, 2009

Munky said:
I don't know a whole lot about chemicals, but I probably wouldn't risk drinking water out of that or eating veggies that were watered with it. Plastics containers tend to absorb their contents over time. You wouldn't want to grow a third arm or a tail or something....

I know that , but...it is used in the process of turning waste water into river water which is in turn used for drinking water by others. It says "non hazardous" and that it can be reconditioned...so I am wondering how the reconditioning goes. At least it should be able to be used for collecting rain water for flushing the commode with.

cjd1980 · May 19, 2009

you should be able to get the MSDS info from the waste treatment facility or find it on-line that might give you an idea whether or not you want to use the containers - chris

dawsonbob · May 19, 2009

Like Munky says, I'd be real careful with plastic containers until you get the final word from the waste treatment facility. Plastic can absorb some nasty things, and getting them out could be a real chore. Nice looking containers, though. Heck, they'd look cool sitting on my porch and doing nothing: they look important.

unit311 · May 19, 2009

according to this link http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=173.60 that chemical is certified by the fda as a food additive. I dont know if what is in those containers meets all the criteria on that page though. I also see it is used as an algicide though ,so I dont know how good that would be to water plants with. The amount left over after a cleaning would be very minimal though I would assume.

Mistwalker · May 20, 2009

unit311 said:
according to this link http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=173.60 that chemical is certified by the fda as a food additive. I dont know if what is in those containers meets all the criteria on that page though. I also see it is used as an algicide though ,so I dont know how good that would be to water plants with. The amount left over after a cleaning would be very minimal though I would assume.

I'm thinking the same thing...just wondering what to clean them with.

Could I use regular soap and hot water? Could I just fill it part way up then lay it on each side for a while and then slosh it around? Or... would I need to use a specific soap...and fill it all the way up and let it soak?...even repeatedly...I'm just not sure yet. But I think there should be some use for them

storl · May 20, 2009

I would say go make friends with a chemist. There are a ton of chemistry and related sciences boards and sites out there and I bet they'd be willing to give you some free advice. Contacting the EPA might not be a bad idea either, since they deal with a lot of this kind of stuff and have a lot of scientists on staff.

LMT66 · May 20, 2009

These have to be cleaned by a service that specializes in this. They assess what the material was and they clean these out accordingly. "Clean" does not mean safe to store water in for consumption or for watering your vegetable garden.
Remember that many products are used as food additives but this doesn't mean that it is safe in bulk quantities. The tanks can absorb the product. Another thought is that these tanks are reused and resold and you do not know what might have been in it before.
I suggest calling the "Container Service" seen on the sticker and ask if you can buy a new one although I don't think they will sell you one unless you have a business use for it. They are between $250 & $400 last I heard. BTW, There is most likely a deposit on those tanks and they are generally shipped back collect to the company that filled them. They appear to be new and have a serial number somewhere on the metal rack or on a tag or label.

lukus · May 20, 2009

This is kind of funny. I have a renter that works at a water treatment plant (potable water, not sewage). He's got a couple of those containers that he uses for rain water collection for his vegetable garden. The exact same kind of container. I believe the copolymer is used as a flocculent. Anyway, it's in your drinking water already.

He used a pressure washer with a 90 degree bend in it to clean them out. He unscrewed the top bung, put a couple of boards across the top, and stood up there for a few minutes spraying it clean. His tomatoes and snap beans haven't killed him yet.

Mistwalker · May 20, 2009

lukus said:
This is kind of funny. I have a renter that works at a water treatment plant (potable water, not sewage). He's got a couple of those containers that he uses for rain water collection for his vegetable garden. The exact same kind of container. I believe the copolymer is used as a flocculent. Anyway, it's in your drinking water already.

He used a pressure washer with a 90 degree bend in it to clean them out. He unscrewed the top bung, put a couple of boards across the top, and stood up there for a few minutes spraying it clean. His tomatoes and snap beans haven't killed him yet.

See...this is what I have heard from elsewhere...I just wanted some input. I wish I had thought about it before but I should probably also call my nephew...lol, he is a chemestry nut...was in 1st Chem in the Army, taught classes at NBC school and is now a pharmacy tech on his way to becoming a pharmacist. He may have some input as well.

Loosearrow · May 20, 2009

Might try a fire department and ask them. Most things are cleaned with good ole soap and water as stated prior. Try a car wash with high pressure sprayer if you don't have one. Looks like a great container, shame to waste them.

AlexN · May 20, 2009

Mistwalker,
FWIW,I have worked in a Chemical Manufacturing Facility for 25+ years. 21 in operations,and the last 4 in the warehouse. We use both the chemicals listed on that label. As well as a similar flocculant in our waste water treatment . Both the DEA and the Epi are nasty,but here they have been reacted out to make something else. The problem is,you can still get some of the unreacted stuff in the fumes/vapors given off in the "empty" container.
First off,Do Not take one of these to a car wash to clean it! You can get into some big time trouble there. Both for yourself,AND the company you got the tote from.
Rinse the thing out good,let dry,and use for fuel no problem. If you have a portable garden sprayer,mix one with water and about a pint of distilled white vinegar. Spray the inside good,let stand an hour,rinse and repeat.
Now,you can safely use it for rain water/watering your plants. I still would not use it to store potable water though.
Guys in the plant ask me for used tanks all the time,one's I'm sending off to the reconditioner. The only one's I'll let them have are ones that have only held water. Not to many,and yes people have to wait,but it's safe.

Mistwalker · May 20, 2009

AlexN said:
Mistwalker,
FWIW,I have worked in a Chemical Manufacturing Facility for 25+ years. 21 in operations,and the last 4 in the warehouse. We use both the chemicals listed on that label. As well as a similar flocculant in our waste water treatment . Both the DEA and the Epi are nasty,but here they have been reacted out to make something else. The problem is,you can still get some of the unreacted stuff in the fumes/vapors given off in the "empty" container.
First off,Do Not take one of these to a car wash to clean it! You can get into some big time trouble there. Both for yourself,AND the company you got the tote from.
Rinse the thing out good,let dry,and use for fuel no problem. If you have a portable garden sprayer,mix one with water and about a pint of distilled white vinegar. Spray the inside good,let stand an hour,rinse and repeat.
Now,you can safely use it for rain water/watering your plants. I still would not use it to store potable water though.
Guys in the plant ask me for used tanks all the time,one's I'm sending off to the reconditioner. The only one's I'll let them have are ones that have only held water. Not to many,and yes people have to wait,but it's safe.

Thanks Alex, I was pretty sure that even if it took a year of soaking in clean water and some soap, or a huge amount of baking soda or something that there was at least a way I could use these for something. Would love to have some unused ones for potable water but new there had to at least be a way to use it for an emergency water supply for the commodes water...or something. I hate to let anything go to waste if I can help it.

AlexN · May 21, 2009

Glad to help.Hot water would be best,or leave out in the sun after spraying. Leave top on to encourage Greenhouse heating,fumes etc. Get all those pores opened up in the plastic. The Vinegar is 2-3% Acetic Acid. After a rinse,you could repeat with a baking soda(Sodium Bicarbonate) solution( A regular sized box per sprayer should be enough). Then,You won't have any problem at all with your veggie/plant watering,but I still would not use for potable water.

Mistwalker · May 21, 2009

AlexN said:
Glad to help.Hot water would be best,or leave out in the sun after spraying. Leave top on to encourage Greenhouse heating,fumes etc. Get all those pores opened up in the plastic. The Vinegar is 2-3% Acetic Acid. After a rinse,you could repeat with a baking soda(Sodium Bicarbonate) solution( A regular sized box per sprayer should be enough). Then,You won't have any problem at all with your veggie/plant watering,but I still would not use for potable water.

Thanks Alex, I get that potable water is out of the question. I was looking at their website last night trying to find a price on new containers...but to be honest they are such a large global corporation I doubt they would be interested in selling a dozen and I don't know that I could be sure they were unused ones.

Mistwalker · May 29, 2009

Well, I am thinking at this point that once I get them cleaned out they are simply going to be for the storage of emergency "sanitation" water....I live with three females...but with it being "non-hazardous", and me having a hard time letting anything go to waste, here are a couple of pics that put the size in perspective. If I still had my old F-250 I could haul two at a time but with this truck I decided on only one. I had help loading but none unloading and ya know, these things aren't as light as they look lol.