Water Tank and Overhead Tank Vastu

Water tank placement matters because water is one of the पंचतत्व (Pancha Tattva, the five elements), and Vastu associates each element with particular zones. Water stored above ground is heavy, while water below ground is linked with the Water element's natural home in the North-East.

So Vastu treats the two differently. A heavy overhead tank suits the heavy, stable South-West, while an underground sump suits the light, open North-East. In Vastu, water is also associated with wealth and flow, so clean, leak-free storage is considered important for the household.

An overhead water tank should ideally be placed in the South-West of the building or terrace. The South-West is the Earth zone of Nairutya, associated with weight and stability, and it comfortably carries a heavy load.

If the South-West is not possible, the South or West are the next choices. The tank is usually raised on a platform so that it sits higher than the rest of the terrace structures.

An underground tank or sump should be in the North, North-East or East of the plot. These zones are associated with the Water element and with openness, and a below-ground water body is considered comfortable here.

Avoid underground tanks in the South-West, South-East or at the centre of the plot. The South-West should not be dug or lowered, since it is meant to remain heavy and high. The same guidance applies to borewells and wells, which are also placed in the North or North-East.

A septic tank is placed in the North-West or South-East, and never in the North-East or South-West. Unlike clean water, waste water is not suited to the sacred North-East or to the stable South-West.

Drainage slopes are ideally arranged so water flows towards the North or East. Keep inspection chambers covered, clean and away from the main entrance. Any blocked or overflowing drain should be repaired promptly, both for hygiene and because Vastu associates stagnant water with stagnant energy.

In a flat, the building's tanks are usually outside your control, so focus on the water storage and plumbing within your own home. The building's tanks form part of the overall building Vastu, but your flat's own zones matter most for daily life.

A water tank can be made of any safe, food-grade material, and a light colour such as white or light blue is often preferred. Light colours reflect heat and help keep stored water cooler, which is a practical benefit in Mumbai's climate.

Very dark tanks absorb more heat in direct sun. Whatever the colour, ensure the tank is covered, has a secure lid and is cleaned regularly. For the Water element, blues and whites are also traditionally associated with this zone.

Maintain water tanks by cleaning them regularly, keeping lids closed and checking for leaks, cracks and overflow. A clean, well-maintained tank supports both health and the Vastu idea of fresh, flowing water.

When a tank cannot be moved, non-structural remedies can balance the zone. The right remedy depends on where the tank is and which element it disturbs.

For an overhead tank above the North-East, keeping the tank as light and small as possible, using light colours and placing activated pyramids or other remedies advised after analysis can help. For an underground sump in the South-West, earthy colours and heavy elements in the remaining South-West are often suggested. A Vastu expert decides the specific remedy after measurement.

Consult a Vastu expert when you are building a bungalow, planning a terrace or plumbing changes, or deciding on a borewell. The positions of tanks, sumps and septic tanks are far easier to set correctly before construction.

Dr. Kimaya Parikh-Ambekar works from VastuKimaya's office in Andheri East, visiting bungalows, buildings and flats across Mumbai, and also offers distant consultations using site plans and photographs.