In episode two of Keeping the Flow, hosts Jason Upton and Chad Johnson discuss expert tips and tricks for running water tanks smoothly. Chad is a water systems consultant at USG Water Solutions with over 25 years in the water industry.
For this conversation, he shares a new perspective on asset management and how water municipalities can lower lifecycle costs for water tank maintenance and repairs.
Short on time? Here are five key takeaways from the conversation.
Water tank coatings, repairs, water quality, and safety compliance are costly, especially if maintenance is delayed. Chad urges cities to proactively approach water tank management and have a set plan in place. Don’t assume how your water tank looks from the outside; what you can’t see can lead to expensive issues.
Understanding the current state of your tank and the requirements for water storage tank maintenance is the first step in the right direction. With the right plan and funding, you can avoid costly surprises.
Water management extends to the trash pump standing by for a water main break. If you don’t regularly test these pumps, they might fail when needed. Chad emphasizes that you must plan your budget more effectively with a long-term maintenance approach to address water tank leak repairs.
Instead of hiring someone and rushing out to a bid market to cover costs for water tank repairs, you can turn to USG Water for a comprehensive 12-15 plan. This plan will cover services for engineering, water tank painting, ROV inspections, emergency service, safety and compliance, and future interior and exterior coatings to know the cost of projects well into the future.
Safety and compliance are two of the most commonly overlooked aspects of water tank maintenance. Chad reveals that around 95% of the water tanks he inspects fail to meet OSHA compliance, often due to safety issues with ladders, rails, and one-directional cable climbs. Overlooking these water tank components is a severe liability.
of the water tanks he
inspects fail to meet
OSHA compliance.
Both Chad and Jason stress the need to establish a clear baseline, starting with a professional assessment. USG Water Solution offers customized water tank inspections and services to address your needs, from ROV inspections and chemical cleanings to water tank mixers. You especially want to invest in a water tank mixer if you live in a colder environment to maintain your water tank's water quality and system performance.
While your city can earn revenue from leasing cellular space on water tanks, you need to ensure that the cellular wireless carriers are set up correctly. Wireless carriers are skilled at installing antennas but fail to care for your water tower. It’s not uncommon to see tangled wires and welding directly on the tank, leading to corrosion and costly damage.
Chad explains how USG Water Solutions assesses the cellular carrier’s drawings to ensure the structural integrity of your water tower tank isn’t impacted. Once antennas are placed, we will perform a post-construction inspection to protect your water tank's integrity and investment.
By partnering with USG to set the ground rules on leasing cellular space and support tank management, you can save your city from costly repairs and the carrier from expensive relocation costs.
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recommends cleaning your water tank every five years and inspecting it every three years. However, Chad recommends checking your water tank for corrosion annually, especially if you use cathodic protection.
Without proper mixing and ventilation, cathodic protection can open a hatch and create corrosion at the top of your water tank. This occurs when chlorine dissipates and hits oxygen, forming hydrochloric acid. Once this happens, acidic vapor forms at the tank’s headspace to corrode the top of your water tank’s interior.
USG ensures that your water tank is properly coated, mixed, and ventilated to extend the lifespan of your infrastructure and save your city money on costly water tank
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