DIY Fittings for Emptying IBC Totes & Other Large Water Storage Containers

I have on several occasions suggested that the 275-gallon IBC totes are a good solution for storing water in a location in which you plan to stay during an emergency. These totes and a reliable way to make sure the water is pure enough to drink could save lives. Several people have asked me how to get the water out of these large totes.

As you may know, the IBC totes have a valve and a spout at the bottom. The valve is plastic, and while it seems to work okay, I wouldn’t trust it for everyday use. However, the spout is threaded with standard 2-inch pipe threads, and this makes it possible to create your own fitting for a faucet.

I make a simple fitting consisting of:

  • 2″ Female Adapter, Slip x FPT, PVC Schedule 40
  • 2″ x ¾ Reducer Bushing, SP x FPT, PVC Schedule 40
  • One ¾ brass faucet with hose bib

You will also need some PVC schedule 40-pipe glue and a roll of Teflon tape. Glue the reducing bushing into the female adapter with PVC glue. Screw the faucet into the reducing bushing using the Teflon tape. When this is ready, screw the whole fitting onto the spout of the IBC tote.

IBC tites
The arrow points to the cover over the end of the spout you need to remove to install the new fittings

This gives you two valves at the bottom, the built-in plastic one and the faucet. If the plastic valve fails, you still have the faucet. With the faucet, you can control the water flow and connect a garden hose if needed. I always keep a water hose that is approved for domestic water.

You can get them at a good RV supplier. This style of fitting can be used on any large water tank that has threaded fittings at or near the bottom

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If you have any questions about the size of the threads, take the ring that holds the cover on the spout to the plumbing supply with you.

IBC totes
The required fittings
IBC totes
The finished fitting

While the IBC totes are heavy, weighing around 2300 pounds when full, they have a small footprint on the ground. They only require a space approximately 48 x 40 inches in size and they can be stacked up to three high. They are 46 inch high, so you can double stack them in many garages.

If you buy them used, just make sure you know what has been stored in them.

Simple Setup
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02/18/2024 12:01 am GMT

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22 thoughts on “DIY Fittings for Emptying IBC Totes & Other Large Water Storage Containers”

  1. I have several of these and have the exact setup that you described. Another reason why I like this site. Common sense answers. Thanks!!

  2. I am looking for Tote to garden hose connections from 3 types of outlets. It appears there are at least three types of threads. I am Not sure what the names of the thread types are but they seem to be standard, coarse, and metric as it appears. I have found connections for the standard but I have not found connections for the course in the metric that convert the outlet from that size to a standard garden hose size connection that I need for my used totes that I sell to my customers.
    I want to have those connections on hand in case a customer wants to buy them from me instead of spending a lot of time like I have on finding a connection that is inexpensive and quick to retrofit.

    Can you help me directly or can you refer me to someone who sells these particular types of connections?

    I have used the banjo connection on some units to get the thread size so that I can use what I have however that becomes expensive just to make a connection to some of those outlets. Some outlets will not accept a banjo type of connection.

    I have the connection that makes the transition from the 2 inch what I call standard thread to the garden hose connection. I found the standard thread as I call it 2 inch connection that converts it to a garden hose on eBay or Amazon at a reasonable price of less than $10.

    I have also found the brass connections that I can use to go into plastic course deal barrels but that is more expensive than I like to pay. So if you could help in any of these connections I would greatly appreciate it .

  3. Where do you find the BSP adapter for the totes’ valve the threads are NOT standard 2 inch NPT. The cap on these tote valves say 2-1/8 BSP! At a loss.

  4. Do the totes need to be elevated above the height of the connection to the camper? Also in using a tote, if you are camping for an extended period of time and using that water continuously will it stay fresh? TY

  5. They need to be high enough for gravity flow to work unless you have a pump. The water should keep fine as long as you keep the container closed.
    Howard

  6. christopher scutt

    I want to use a tote tank to provide water to my house at constant pressure. The tank will be fed from the main supply through a ball valve. My question is how can I allow air in at the top to prevent a vacuum forming without allowing air to contaminate the water. Is there some kind of venting cap that includes a filter to prevent pollen, insects or other contaminants from entering.

  7. Thank you so much for posting this! I got 2 IBC tanks yesterday and was able to set them up very easily because of your post. Best wishes.

      1. I have seen them recently in a small town in Texas, Giddings. They were clean but used and not sure of the price since I didn’t have time to stop. Just made a note of the location! I’ve purchased used 55 gallon drums before for water storage and just used Craigslist to find a source.

  8. Outstanding, thank you. My main valve leaks very slightly. The cap easily contains it right now, but I want to change it on my next drain and fill. Do you have a link to buy the valve for these tanks?

    1. There’s no need to add more Clorox. Water from your municipal water system already contains chlorine. As long as the container is tightly capped, the chlorine will stay in the water, making it safe for drinking. Over time, the water may pick up some of the flavor from its container and if the water tastes flat when you’re ready to drink it, you can put it through a water filter, such as a Berkey, but this shouldn’t be necessary.

  9. Can you tell me how to connect two IBC totes? Want the second one to serve as an overflow catch. Not sure what type of adhesive to use on plastic to keep it waterproof.

  10. I have a IBC tank with a schultz valve I am a hard time finding fitting to put on the valve the threads on the valve is
    nps thread not the normal plumbing thread where are you getting your fitting

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