Storage Tank Management

Water & Wastewater Utility Operation and

Management for Tribes
Water Storage
Why?
What kind?
Inspection
Maintenance
Corrosion control
Cold weather considerations
EPA publication 816-K-03-002
Koester Associates, Inc.
www.westsussexda.fsnet.co.uk
Water Storage Purpose Why?
Supply & demand equalizing
Power cost savings
Emergency & fire needs
Surge relief
Chlorine detention time increase
Blending water from different sources
Convenience!
Storage Types Elevated Tanks
Dunham Engineering
Storage Types Reservoirs
Dunham Engineering
www.aquastore.com
Storage Types Standpipes
www.waterworld.com
Storage Types Pneumatic Tanks
Dunham Engineering
Inspections
When?
Drain, clean, and inspect at least annually
And after major events!
What to inspect?
General inspections
Tank-specific inspections
earthquakefacts.net flatrock.org.nz NOAA
Who Should do the Inspection?
You?
A professional?
Modern Technology?
tankdiver.files.wordpress.com
potablewatertankcleaning.com
www.ronperrin.com
Inspection Items
Foundation: settling, cracks, deterioration
Overflow pipe and valve
Interior and exterior coating systems
Water quality
Water level indicator
Surface tanks:
Roofs
Air vents
Ladders
Hatches
Pressure tanks
Foundation/Containment Structure
Check for:
Subsidence and uneven settlement
Corrosion (cracking & spalling)
Cracks
Other deterioration
inspectapedia.com geerassociation.org Dunham Engineering
Overflow Pipe and Valve
Sufficient size
Condition
Supported pipe
Corrosion
Obstruction
Screening (avoid animals/insects)
Valve:
Accessible
Operable/functional
Drainage
Sufficient size
Erosion control
Dunham Engineering
Altitude Valve
Controls tank level
Refill tank
Prevent overflow
Can be 1- or 2-way
Similar issues to the
overflow valve
Sizing
Condition
Access
Operation
Interior & Exterior Coating
Steel reservoirs or tanks:
Inside/outside paint prevents corrosion
Concrete tanks:
Waterproofing can seal surface cracks
Protective coating systems:
Adhesion
Peeling or rusting areas
Materials (lead?)
Ice or other damage (e.g., from
welding or gunshots)
Meet NSF Standard 61 if in
contact with potable water
Dunham Engineering
inspectapedia.com
Water Quality
Water sampling (e.g., at drain connection)
Suspended solids
Turbidity (cloudy?)
Odor
Birds, rodents, and insects at access points or
within the tank
Bottom sediment or sludge
potablewatertankcleaning.com
AWWA
Water Level Indicator
Pressure gauge
Reading in psi or feet of water
Adequate reading for tank height
Float-style indicator
Cable access opening protected
Float moves freely
Target reads properly
Supervisory Control
and Data Acquisition
(SCADA)
Horsley Witten Group
Dunham Engineering
Dunham Engineering
Roofs
Low spots where water may pond
Min. 0.75/12 slope (AWWA D100)
Recommend 1/12 slope & thick
Holes along seams
Support columns, rafters, and connections
Dunham Engineering tankdiver.files.wordpress.com
Air Vents
Proper design
Min. 24
Downward-facing cover
Screened to keep animals
and birds out
#16 mesh
No hardware cloth
Sealed edges & seams
Gaps < 1/16
No holes in vent cover
Dunham Engineering
tankdiver.files.wordpress.com
Access Ladders
Ladder rungs 12 apart
Safety:
Cage around ladder
Rail-type safety system
Above ground restrict access
Ladders supports spaced 10 apart max.
Dunham Engineering
Hatches
Proper design
30 diameter (or square) opening
4 raised curb
Closes properly (no gaps)
Locks
Dunham Engineering www.swregional.net
Hydro-pneumatic Tanks
Take inspections seriously!
Annual pressure tank inspections must ensure:
Pressure release device is working properly
Pressure gauge is working properly
Air-water ratio is maintained at the adequate level
Rubber gasket is replaced
meridithcorp.com www.frwa.net
Maintenance: Cleaning & Disinfection
Disinfect tanks after inspection and cleaning
AWWA Standard C652-92 Disinfection of Water-Storage
Facilities
Procedure similar to disinfecting water mains
Add chlorine to water filling tank
Maintain chlorine residual of at least 50 mg/L for 6
hours minimum
Carefully dispose of the disinfection water
For large tanks:
Collect samples while filling, or
Spray walls with highly chlorinated water
Maintenance: Steel Tank Issues
Repair and replacement of protective coatings
Lead abatement
Containment
Competent Person
Corrosion damage
Repair/replacement
of rafters
Repair/replacement of hatches and appurtenances
Repair of pitting to
>Prevent leaks
>Maintain structural integrity
Dunham Engineering
Maintenance: Concrete Tank Issues
Leak repairs
Cracking and spalling of concrete over time
Concrete doesnt rust, but reinforcement does
Typically costs more to build, but less to
maintain
Dunham Engineering Dunham Engineering
Corrosion Why does it happen?
Corroding water tank is like a battery:
Walls = anode provides electrons
Water = cathode receives electrons
Tank corrodes as electrons leave the steel wall
The electrons (-) in
the steel tank
move into the water
causing corrosion
Corrosion Control
Corrosion Protection
Wall coating with paint
Cathodic protection
Power
unit
Anode
Cold Weather Considerations - Ice
Keep water moving!
Overflow pipe
Keep clear of ice
If clogged, water will flow from
the air vent and freeze, the added
weight could topple the tower
Water tower riser
Protect it from freezing
If pipe large enough, may partially
freeze on the outside and still
allow flow inside
LA Times
gtluke.com
Cold Weather Considerations - Ice
Ground-level tanks less likely to freeze
Elevated tank
If frozen, costly to thaw
Ice can deform walls
If drained, must be disinfected
Koester Associates, Inc.
Keep water moving!
What Have We Learned?
Various types of tanks
Inspection & Maintenance
Corrosion control
Cold weather issues