Author: Southeastern Tank

The Need For Speed: The TecTank Construction Method

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Columbian TecTanks are cost-effective, durable epoxy tanks that have a wide variety of uses and are especially well-suited for small capacity tanks. TecTanks can last about 20 years in many applications thanks to recent advancements in materials and construction. TecTanks utilize thick steel, few penetration points and an optimized bolt pattern that provide exceptional performance along with expansion capabilities, if required.

Constructing A TecTank

Not only are Columbian TecTanks a solid choice for many applications, they are also relatively simple to construct, with as little disruption to business or municipal operations as possible. The entire process can be coordinated through Southeastern Tank, which will handle everything from design through post-erection testing.

Southeastern Tank utilizes a proprietary jacking method that limits the need for scaffolding, cranes and other heavy equipment and allows for a faster end-to-end process, with most projects completed in less than 12 weeks. You can see the process for yourself here:



The Final Product

Columbian TecTanks are some of the best factory-coated, bolted shop-welded tanks in the market and have been proven in applications ranging from potable water to fire protection and wastewater treatment and management. They utilize some of the most advanced storage coatings in the industry and provide strong chemical resistance, resulting in a high-quality, low-maintenance system.

With traditional welded tanks, there is a significant wait period to apply coatings if the weather delays the curing process. Factory coating eliminates weather as a factor, which speeds up construction and limits downtime and operational disruptions.

Marshall County, Tennessee: 36 Years of Aquastore And Counting

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Marshall County, Tennessee is an area that prides itself on Southern Charm. Founded in 1836, it is an area of people that value a sense of community. The charm of Marshall County and the fact that Tennessee does not tax retirement income, has attracted new residents to the region over the last several years, and the population is projected to grow steadily through 2030. Given the growth of the area and the age of the potable water system in Marshall County, officials needed a plan to handle increased demand and maintain costs.

The Challenges

The weather in the South is quite different than anywhere else in the country. The average relative humidity in Marshall County in mid-afternoon is 57% and rises to 84% by the dawn hours. The weather can change on a dime, and massive temperature swings, severe, fast-moving storms; and even hail can be extremely rough on water tanks.[1] Add to that the fact that The Marshall County Board of Public Utilities tank is located in a wooded area, and conditions are rife not only for storm damage, but for mold and mildew, as well.

The county required a high-capacity, high-performance tank that could withstand the forces of mother nature without requiring constant maintenance. Given the external conditions, concrete was not a logical solution due to its propensity for leaks and steel tanks corrode in such humid, moist conditions.

Marshall County is a growing area, and the ideal water storage solution would be able to expand as more people and businesses moved into the area, and to accommodate the Utility’s plan to expand service delivery to rural residents, as well.

The Solution

The Marshall County Board of Public Utilities clearly required tanks that can hold up well against the elements. Aquastore tanks were the ideal solution, as their patented glass-fused-to-steel process makes them airtight and extremely durable against the elements, resists mold and mildew, and requires little maintenance throughout the life of the tank.

The County worked with Southeastern Tank to install Aquastore solutions as they embarked on an ambitious plan to install nearly 70 miles of new lines, upgrade existing lines and update a pumping station. A new 300,000 elevated storage tank was installed, replacing a 20-year-old, 110,000 ground storage tank.

Aquastore tanks are also able to accommodate the County’s need for fast and streamlined installation. Glass-fused-to-steel tanks can be erected much more quickly than other types of tanks. They utilize a jacking system during construction, eliminating the need for scaffolding.

Once installed, the Aquastore tanks have a long lifespan, providing long-term savings and low lifetime ownership costs. They are low-maintenance and high-performance, never need repainting and should Marshall County require even more capacity, their existing tanks can be expanded vertically.

Results

Overall, County officials estimate that over the last 25 years, the county has saved $100,000 on maintenance alone. The County did experience a rare leak in one of their tanks a few years ago. Southeastern stands behind their workmanship and the Aquastore products they sell, and they know that a small leak can spell big trouble down the line. Therefore, Southeastern Tank was willing and able to address the problem immediately, at no charge.

Since the early 1980s The Marshall County Board of Public Utilities has turned to Aquastore to help them service the needs of their residents. Today, Aquastore tanks provide the county with 555,619 gallons of capacity for over 31,000 residents. They currently operate three Aquastore tanks of various ages. One is 4 years old, the second is 16 years old and the third is 36 years old. Officials have reported they have a hard time telling them apart, since the oldest tank still retains is functionality and its appearance.

All Jacked Up: The Unique Aquastore Construction Method

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Aquastore tanks are some of the most versatile, durable and long-lasting tanks in the market today. However, when liquid storage tanks need to be replaced or constructed from scratch, time is often one of the most important factors.

Downtime can lead to lost profits or the inability to meet obligations to customers. An additional benefit of Aquastore tanks is the speed with which they can be designed, constructed and integrated into an existing system.

How Aquastore Tanks Are Constructed

Aquastore tanks are constructed using a jacking method. In this system, the tank is built from the top down and the ground up. The bottom plates of the tank are completed first, but the top ring of the tank and the roof are actually the first pieces of the tank to be erected. The tank is then raised on jacks, with the next ring of the tank placed underneath the roof until the tank reaches its proper height. Finally, the lower shell is welded in place.

You can see the jack method in action here:



This jacking method virtually eliminates the use of scaffolding, which makes the process more efficient and reduces the construction footprint to ensure minimal disruption.

Not only is the construction process itself a breeze, but the planning and coordination process is much simpler than with other types of tanks because everything can be coordinated through Southeastern Tank. One team takes care of all of the administrative, mobilization and coordination required to ensure a smooth and efficient process.

The Final Result

Aquastore glass-fused-to-steel tanks are an ideal solution for most municipal water, industrial water, wastewater and industrial liquid solutions.

Over the last 30 years, Aquastore tanks have proven to provide the highest lifetime value in the market thanks to features like:

  • No repainting required for the life of the tank
  • Minimal maintenance required
  • No rust or corrosion
  • Performance warranties
  • Turnkey process from design through building and testing
  • Expansion capabilities

Glass-fused-to-steel solutions from Aquastore are some of the easiest tanks to install and to maintain, no matter the application.

The 3 Keys To Water Quality Management

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

When your water is out of balance, you’re out of compliance. When you’re out of compliance, you’ve got big trouble on your hands. If your water fails quality tests, you must pay fines and notify the public – which can damage your reputation. Damaging publicity can hurt your usage and cut into your revenue. Let’s avoid that. Here are some new ways to think about effective management within your current infrastructure – so that you remain in compliance and in good standing with your users.

Tackling The Treatment Puzzle

It would be great if there was a silver bullet that could keep your water quality to permissible standards within your existing infrastructure. But there isn’t. Unfortunately, compliance often requires a combination of treatment techniques, and those techniques may need to be adjusted over time, in the face of changing conditions and external forces.

No two solutions will be the same, but a comprehensive approach should incorporate these three phases:

  1. 1. Mix Your Water

    Mixing should occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Without constant mixing, stratification will occur, and that stratification can be exacerbated when hot water enters the system during extremely hot and dry times of the year.

    Lax tank mixing can also impact the system if recommended turnover can’t be achieved. If you can’t turn it over, you’ve got to keep it moving somehow and mixing is the most effective way to do it.

  2. 2. Manage Tank Turnover (And Keep Mixing)

    The recommendation for tank turnover is 50 percent of the volume every 48 hours. There are very few cases where that recommendation is achievable due to the sequential design of water tank systems. Dropping the volume in one tank can cause a marked drop in water pressure, which leads to customer disruption.

    Mixing can achieve the movement required to keep the water moving like it should be, but turnover should still occur as often as possible. When turnover does occur, mixing is absolutely critical to prevent stratification and contamination, especially in the summer when hot water is entering the system in higher volumes.

  3. 3. Adjust Your Approach to pH, THMs and Byproduct Removal

    The standard practice when dealing with pH has been, “Get it down.” Managers can run themselves ragged trying to manage pH levels, but studies show that the proper range is really between 7.5 and 8. Each time you adjust your pH, you run into changes in haloacetic acid levels and trihalomethanes (THMs). For years, water companies have been told to decrease pH, because the more acidic the water, the less THMs in the system.

    Plant operators know, however that the problem often isn’t the THMs, it’s the acid levels. Many times, when adjusting pH, those acid levels become too high, making the plant vulnerable to compliance violations. The key to unlocking this delicate chemical balance may lie in the organic material in the water. When hot water enters the system, especially in dry, drought-like conditions, the de-oxygenated water holds more algae and organics, and the water source wreaks havoc on the balance of the system. Adjusting the approach and keeping pH in the 7.5 to 8 range can often help stabilize acids and THMs without taking drastic measures.

Tackle Defense With A Sound Offense

To avoid the slew of problems that come from non-compliance, the best defense is a sound offense. Perform proactive testing and plan your approach for when issues arise. Understand that sometimes, the old methods won’t work on their own and that today, quality management is about drilling down to the root cause of the problem. What comes out of the tank can be impacted by what goes in, when it goes in, how it is handled inside the tank, and the approach you take to keep everything in balance. Finally, always work with partners who are committed to exploring cutting edge water treatment solutions.

Epoxy-Coated Vs. Glass-Fused-to-Steel: Which Tank Is Better?

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Choosing a liquid storage tank should be easy, right? It’s a tank that holds liquid. How much difference could there really be? The truth is, there are pros and cons to all types of tanks, and the only way to choose the best product is to weigh those pros and cons against your needs. Let’s examine two of the most popular tanks, the epoxy-coated Columbian TecTank® and the glass-fused-to-steel Aquastore,® to determine which might be right for your application.

Columbian TecTank®: The Pros And Cons

The biggest advantage to choosing an epoxy TecTank® is budget. If you are limited in what you can spend or are willing to spend, these tanks are often the best choice and have a wide variety of applications. They are often ideal for small capacity tanks, as well, because they provide a significant cost advantage over other materials.

The biggest disadvantage to choosing TecTank® is longevity. In many applications, the tank will most likely need to be replaced in 20 years. For leachate tanks and wastewater tanks, the lifespan can be much shorter.

Some utilities and businesses have had poor experiences with TecTank® in the past. However, in more recent years, the technology has evolved to include thicker steel, fewer penetration points and an optimized bolt pattern designed to address some previous weaknesses and customer concerns. TecTanks® can also be expanded, if necessary, as storage capacity requirements change over the years. Though given their shorter lifespan, this option isn’t always the most cost-effective over the life of a tank.

Aquastore®: The Pros And Cons

Aquastore® glass-fused-to-steel (GFS) tanks have become extremely popular for their durability and long life. The fused coating is ideal for any application but they are particularly effective at holding aggressive liquids like wastewater and landfill leachate, because the coating withstands the chemical attacks that can damage and deteriorate other types of tanks. GFS tanks never need to be repainted, and regardless of what is stored inside, they can be cleaned with a power washer and require very little maintenance. Like TecTank®, Aquastore® tanks can also be expanded to meet changing needs over time.

The number one drawback of Aquastore® tanks is price. They can be significantly more expensive than epoxy tanks, and the upfront costs can be out of reach for many business and utilities. However, it is worth exploring the total cost of ownership over the life of the tank, as maintenance costs are much lower with a GFS and they do not need to be replaced as often.

Need Help with Your Tank Choice?

There is no universal “right” tank. Before looking into various tank options, assess your business’ needs, budget and compliance requirements. Tanks are always evolving, so it’s important to get the most up-to-date information—the more details you can gather, the better. Once these specifications are outlined, a reliable partner can help you choose the best materials and find a solution that works for your needs.

Smart Steps for Avoiding Steep EPA Fines

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Today’s regulatory environment can be a jungle to navigate. The EPA, state and local regulations are always changing and keeping up with compliance can feel like running on a hamster wheel. But you’ve got to do it, or face steep fines and severe public backlash. Violating the Clean Water Act can lead to daily penalties ranging from $2,500 per day to $25,000 per day for a first offense. Repeat offenders, even if those offenses are unintentional, can face fines of $50,000 per day as well as confinement in federal prison. Here are some essential tips to help protect you and your profit margins.

Get To Know The EPA And Their Policies

The Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1970, nearly 11 months after President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act. According to the EPA website, the agency was developed “in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution…to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection.”

In 1972 the Clean Water Act was established to, “restore and maintain our nation’s waters by preventing pollution, providing assistance to publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities, and maintaining the integrity of wetlands.” The EPA sets national environmental policy, including policy on water, and it is up to state and local governments to enforce those policies.

Side Step Infractions And Avoid Costly Consequences

Some penalties are small, but others can be crippling. In 2016, The Yuengling Brewing Company was accused of polluting Pennsylvania waterways and had to pay $3M in fines on top of making $8M in improvements to its wastewater pretreatment system. In 2015, Southern Coal was forced to pay $5M in fines plus improvements, and a sugar beet company in Minnesota had to pay $6M plus the costs of improvements.

It can be argued whether there was intent, negligence or failure to keep up with rapidly-changing regulations in any of these cases – or the hundreds of other cases lodged against US companies each year – but the fact of the matter is that it’s just good business to keep yourself on the right side of regulations at all times.

Stay Compliant Amidst Changing Rules And Regulations

Rules are typically established two to three years before they go into effect so that companies can make the necessary adjustments to ensure compliance. Nobody expects a plant to make improvements that can cost millions in only a few weeks’ time. That means that engineers and staff must always be looking ahead and getting ready for new rules coming down the pike, because the government provides (what they believe to be) ample time to rectify.

The partners you choose to work with when repairing water treatment systems and storage tanks as well as when it comes to building and maintaining them can make a world of difference in compliance practices. Proactive partners can keep you from spending money on features and processes that could put you out of compliance, and they can provide you with timely, gentle reminders of the aspects of your system that may need to be upgraded before new rules take effect.

Knowledge Is Power When It Comes To EPA Compliance

Not only do you have to know the rules, but you’ve got to know how your system is functioning at all times so that you can react quickly to potential issues. Annual inspections can save you a lot of money and bad press in the future. A proactive inspection can alert you to any potential issues, or future potential issues that could impact your compliance. These inspections are required by law, but it’s a good idea to work with a company that uses a proactive approach to create a plan for addressing future issues rather than just checking a completion box.

Repairing small issues when they arise, rather than putting them off can also help prepare for long-term compliance. Large mechanical or structural problems can lead to major issues that throw off the balance of the system, and fixing those issues can involve lengthy exercises in trial and error.

The EPA isn’t going anywhere so don’t try to resist. A little education in combination with a proactive approach is the most effective way to stay compliant—thus, protecting your profits and your standing in the community in which you conduct business.

5 Questions You Should Ask Potential Water Storage Tank Vendors

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Water storage tank companies often make the same claims about service, price, and results. Weighing one vendor against another can be a tedious process, but the wrong choice could lead to spending more than you wanted, using materials that don’t last, or just feeling wholly unsatisfied with the results. Here are five critical questions you should ask any potential water storage tank vendor before signing on the dotted line.

1. How Long Have You Been In This Business?

Experience and past success is the best indicator of future success. A company that is just getting started may be a market leader in 15 years, but what matters to you is finding the best company today. Choose a vendor that has been in the water storage tank business for at least 10 years. If a group has made it a decade in the water storage tank industry, it’s a good sign they are doing something right.

2. How Many Similar Projects Have You Completed?

Years of experience are important, but those years should ideally have been spent working on projects of similar size, scope and function to your own. You don’t want to be a company’s first foray into a certain project type.

Make sure that any relevant installations were completed under their own business name. Sometimes businesses are tempted to cite their suppliers’ histories or their partners’ experience in an attempt to appear like an expert when their own portfolio is a little thin.

A good rule of thumb to evaluate a tank vendor’s work history and installation history is to look for a successful track record of at least 10 years with a minimum of 100 installations per year. Frequency does matter. Think of it as a baseball stat. You can’t attribute a hitter as having an .800 average if he’s only had five at-bats in his career. Look at the full historical picture as you make you evaluation.

3. What is Your Bond Capacity

You can infer a lot about a potential contractor based on bond capacity. The amount that a company can be bonded for shows that they have the financial capacity to ensure their performance as a contractor. Bond requirements vary by state, but there are several factors that determine bond capacity, including:

  • Working capital of the contractor
  • Net worth of the contractor
  • Available lines of credit
  • Personal credit scores of company principals
  • History of successful completion of projects similar in size and scope to current bonded project
  • References
  • Work on hand

Bond capacity is similar to a credit limit. A strong bond capacity offers reassurance knowing it will be there if/when they need it because they have a long history of success and financial solvency.

It is important to know a contractor’s bond capacity for another reason: licensure. To get bonded, a company must be licensed in the state they are doing business. A bond is a guarantee that the contractor knows and will follow the rules of the license.

Some contractors bid work outside their home-base state and wait to apply for a license and bond until after they land a job. Bid law states that you must have the license before submitting a proposal, so you want to be careful that you are hiring someone on the right side of the law. If you want to protect your investment, look for the bond and license upfront.

4. Can You Show Me Proof?

The answers to the questions above won’t tell the whole story. Clients are well within their rights to ask for “proof” of the claims that contractors make in their bids.

First and foremost, ask for references. Those references should preferably be from companies with jobs like your own. You can also ask for other types of financial proof that indicates solvency like proof of revenue in the form of a tax return. Avoid contractors that refuse to have these discussions or provide you with the details you need.

5. Can You Do Your Own Concrete Work?

Last, but certainly not least, ask potential tank contractors whether or not they do their own concrete work. Why? This line item can drive up your bid and slow down your timeline if they must use a subcontractor or if they require you to hire the concrete team yourself. It may seem like a small detail, but it can make a huge difference in your project.

When you take the time to evaluate tank contractors in advance, and when you consider more than just price, you increase the chances of a successful project that meets your expectations. Make sure to ask these questions – and any others you feel are important – before you sign with any potential water storage tank vendor.

How Tank Management Funds Have Improved On Maintenance Contracts

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Maintenance. It’s nobody’s favorite subject, but it’s critical to keep the tank functioning optimally. The tank maintenance industry is relatively new – but already the industry has experienced some drastic ups and downs. This article explores the history of tank maintenance contracts – and delves into the advantages of tank management funds, which can be a great solution for tank owners who are unhappy with their current maintenance agreements.

A Brief Look Back: The Birth of Tank Maintenance Contracts

Tank maintenance contracts are fairly new to the industry – they really only started to appear in the 1980s; and at the time, they were a godsend.

Before them, two large problems plagued the tank industry: bad financial management and failing infrastructure. Paying for potable water and wastewater tank maintenance were difficult to prioritize in resource allocation, particularly for small utilities where budgets were tight. Many of these utilities operated on wire-thin margins. They existed for the public good, and simply couldn’t raise rates or gain new customers. This cycle of non-profitability created scenarios where, with too much debt on their hands, the utilities couldn’t borrow any more money to maintain their tanks – which meant many were brought to the point of failure. In some extreme examples, communities would wait for its tank to collapse so that they could then could apply for emergency government funding.

But in the mid-80s, a method was introduced that allowed small utilities to finance their tank maintenance, spreading out the cost over a 10-year period and paying in installments. This solution revolutionized the industry because the utilities could still have their tanks maintained, without taking on new debt. This was the birth of the maintenance contract industry.

Increase in Competition, Decrease in Quality

As it so often happens with many great new ideas, the maintenance contract market quickly became saturated causing competition to rise, prices to plummet, and the quality to spiral downward. Low prices were great for utilities but bad for the companies selling the plans – they didn’t factor in the rise in the cost of living, the cost of materials, etc. It didn’t take long for contract providers to realize that they weren’t taking in enough money to turn a profit on the work.

To address this lack of profit, some maintenance companies began designing contracts that benefited them, the provider, not the tank owner. The language was written in a way that allowed the service company to determine whether the tanks got painted and maintained. Sometimes, those companies collected the money but never provided the agreed-upon work, especially as tanks began to age.

Tank Management Funds: Your Money, Your Control

The industry found itself at a crossroads and this led to the development of tank management funds. Rather than paying a yearly installment for contract maintenance, utilities can put that money into a fund that they manage; they remain in charge of their own finances. An assigned third-party asset manager oversees how and when that money is spent on maintaining and repairing the tank. That asset manager solicits bids, vets potential contractors and ensures that the work is completed by trustworthy companies for a fair price in a reasonable timeframe. The asset manager forecasts future costs so tank owners can plan ahead. Now, tank owners can invest their own money, are guaranteed maintenance at a fair price, and turn to their asset manager with one phone call when a need arises.

With tank management funds, the benefits to utilities are simple. The company stays in charge of its finances, reduces debt loads, enables them to pay only for the service they need and receive. Plus, they can manage costs by calling for bids, rather than putting their trust in one company to handle the work. Tank management funds ensure the right work gets done, at the right time and for the right price.

To Rehab Your Commercial Water Tank, Or Replace: That Is The Question

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

So you’ve got yourself a water storage tank that’s a decade or more old. It’s looking a little shabby, it might need some repairs and it’s time to start thinking about the future and what you will do to update that commercial water tank. That means asking the age-old question: should you rehab that tank, or should you replace it?

The Pros and Cons of Rehabbing A Water Tank

The number one advantage to rehabbing an older water tank is cost. It requires significantly less money to repair and spruce up a tank than it does to replace the entire thing. Rehabbing can also be faster and less disruptive, depending upon your unique situation, especially if you have not yet realized full depreciation from the tank.

The cost of rehabbing a tank is attractive, however, there are some drawbacks to consider – especially if the tank has already been rehabbed a few times throughout its lifecycle. Here is what you need to know about rehab work:

  • Repair and rehab are a never-ending process. If you repair once, you’ll repair it again and as the tank ages, the time in between repair work shortens. This means you can easily spend more on rehabbing over the years than simply replacing the tank.
  • Remember: Nothing will restore the tank to its original form.
  • If a rehab company cuts corners by simply cleaning the tank and repainting it rather than sandblasting, that paint will eventually begin to sheet off.
  • Holes and punctures can occur during repair work due to over-rehabbing a tank that has experienced significant corrosion and weakening through the years.
  • Rehabbing merely kicks the can down the road. You will eventually need to replace the tank at some point in the future.

Rehabbing does make sense in many situations, but if you’re going to choose repair and restoration work, make sure it is done correctly. Cutting corners to save money now will only lead to more work and higher costs throughout the life of the tank.

The Pros and Cons of Replacing A Water Tank

Replacing a water tank eliminates every headache associated with rehabbing and repairing an old tank. If you invest in a glass-fused-to-steel tank, you can eliminate those headaches for decades, as these tanks do not require paint and they have been proven to last for 20-30 years with very little “TLC” required. Epoxy tanks are also a good option and come at a lower upfront price. However, they do require more maintenance work over the course of their lifetime.

The biggest drawback of replacing a tank is cost. New tanks are not cheap – especially elevated tanks – and depending upon the situation, it may require other significant investments, like purchasing additional land. These expenses keep many utilities and business from replacing their tanks, even when the tank is well past its prime.

Make An Informed Choice

Sometimes, rehabbing makes the most sense based on budget. Other times, there is no way to avoid replacement. You might have outgrown your existing tank, the tank might be too old, too damaged or too corroded to rehab. But a lot of times, the choice involves many shades of gray.

In those gray areas, the real difference between rehabbing and replacing a tank comes down to cost. But just how do you boil down to the actual costs of each? In order to make the right choice, you need all of the data you can gather. That means working with a partner who can give you that data with accurate calculations to take to the ultimate decision-maker and holder of the purse strings.

The data collector will need to conduct a cost analysis based on square footage. The goal is to achieve real-time dollar comparisons that can give you an accurate picture of the actual cost to rehab vs the actual cost to replace. Even better, future assessments based on the condition of the tank today allow you to estimate how much you might have to invest over the lifecycle of the tank. Accurate calculations are especially important for elevated tanks; and those calculations are often more complicated and nuanced than they are for ground source tanks. Whenever you are considering updating an elevated tank, be sure to gather as much accurate information as possible, as improper data can lead to a big surprise when you’re ready to make a move.

So, will you repair or replace your tank? Take the time to gather the data, consider what’s best for your business or utility both today and in the future, and open yourself up to new solutions. When it comes to updating vs. upgrading, knowledge is power.

Why Tank Inspections Are So Important

Posted on by Southeastern Tank

Your water storage tank is one of the most valuable assets at your facility, why not take care of it?

Storage Tank Maintenance and Inspections

Water storage tanks need to be periodically inspected and cleaned to help maintain good water quality in the distribution system and to help extend the life of the tank. Regular tank inspections can also help to identify small problems that may develop into major problems that can create health related issues, lead to costly repairs or premature tank failure. Tanks that are not periodically cleaned can cause contamination events that can harm human health or can contribute to aesthetic complaints.

There are two basic types of inspection:

  • Wet inspections are typically by certified divers or remote operated vehicles (ROVs). Wet, water quality inspection is what the state typically requires.
  • Dry inspection is normally a result of issues seen in Wet inspection. Dry inspections are typically done only for coatings check for structural damage and mil thickness, steel tanks are checked for gauge thickness. NOTE that dry inspections require the tank to be drained and out of service. Dry inspection as described are typically 3x the cost of a Wet inspection.

How often should a water system inspect and clean storage tanks?

The inspection and cleaning interval can vary based on the type of tank and water quality. Generally, a water storage tank should be inspected at least every five years, or more often, depending on State requirement. Cleaning and repairs should be addressed based on the findings of the tank inspection. Additional inspections between maintenance intervals are encouraged.

Most states do not certify tank inspectors. Before you hire any inspector, ask for copy of a standard report that coincides with the tank in question. Verify that the report is acceptable to the state regulatory agency.

With the pending 2017 water quality rules, it is advisable to hire only inspectors who capabilities/equipment can provide in service temperature readings to identify stratification.

Circulation

Circulation is the key to preventing stratification of the water within a tank. As a side note, with proper circulation and water turnover, freezing of potable storage tanks should not occur.

Typically, water is added and drawn from the bottom of the water container through inlet and outlet piping. When the fill rate is greater than the draw rate the water level rises. When the draw rate is greater than the fill rate water level lowers. If the fill and draw rate remains consistently equal than the system is drawing the water just added. What results is the water at the top of the container sits with no circulation leading to stratified and stagnant water. Also the chlorine which remains in the stagnated water can become depleted, leading to microbial growth as well as tastes and odors. A common and economical way to prevent this is to add mixers to your tank to help with these issues.