What is the static pressure at the base of a tank with a water level of 50 feet?

To determine the static pressure at the base of a tank filled with water, you can use the formula for hydrostatic pressure, which is defined as:

[ P = h \times \rho \times g ]

where:

• ( P ) is the pressure at the base of the tank,

• ( h ) is the height of the water column (in feet),

• ( \rho ) is the density of the fluid (for water, approximately 62.4 lb/ft³),

• ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity (32.2 ft/s²).

In water tanks, static pressure can also be calculated using a simpler approximation: for every 2.31 feet of water, there is approximately 1 psi of pressure. Therefore, to find the pressure at a height of 50 feet:

[

\text{Pressure} = \frac{\text{Height (feet)}}{2.31} \approx \frac{50}{2.31} \approx 21.65 , \text{psi}

]

Rounding this value gives us approximately 22 psi, which corresponds to the correct answer. Understanding this relationship is crucial for septic system design and maintenance, as it helps