Proper water tank maintenance is a critical part of tank ownership to make sure that all tanks are functioning properly as well as closely following regulatory safety requirements.
Keeping tanks properly maintained requires owners to partner with water tank maintenance services that can help them to do just that.
It also means finding a contractor who is keeping up with the latest technologies and techniques for making tank inspection and maintenance more accurate while reducing inspection costs, water wastage, and repair costs.
Based on the latest tank regulations, construction practices, and inspection technologies, here are some points for all tank owners to take into consideration when planning for their maintenance and choosing a water tank maintenance company to work with.
1. Trends In Tank and Support Tower Construction
Composite-type tank construction has become a preferred method for elevated water tanks over the past few years because of the many benefits these tanks offer.
Still, it is essential that tank owners are aware of the importance of proper construction and maintenance of the concrete support tower and exterior steel tank, which will be different than that required with all-steel tanks.
2. Changes In Seismic Design Regulations
With the recent updating of U.S. seismic zone charts resulting from the use of more advanced technology for monitoring seismic activity, more tank owners must now be familiar with and follow seismic tank regulations.
All tanks in existing and new seismic zones should be inspected by water tank maintenance services to determine fitness for use in these areas.
It is highly recommended that tank owners have their tanks re-evaluated for seismic regulation when making upgrades or doing repairs.
3. Changes In Lead and VOC Regulations
With tightening regulations on the VOCs that can appear in tank coatings and more stringent enforcement on the use and removal of lead-based paints over the last half-decade or so, tank owners must take a serious look at meeting these criteria with any older tanks that still have these coatings.
Tank rehabilitation to remove these coatings is a costly, yet necessary maintenance element and one that must be undertaken carefully.
It requires working with a water tank maintenance company that can remove lead and VOCs following required safety procedures to protect employees and the public from the hazards presented by these coatings during removal.
4. Recognition of the Need for Water Circulation
As awareness of the need to prevent water stagnation within storage tanks has increased, the addition of internal circulatory systems has accelerated.
With the addition of these systems, tank owners must also recognize that baffles, piping systems, and other parts within the tank adds to tank maintenance requirements, which must be tailored to include these new systems.
5. Diving Inspections Becoming More Requested
A focus on water conservation and reducing the cost of tank inspections has made diving inspections a preferred method today.
Though there are a few minor drawbacks, diving inspections performed correctly prevent the need to drain tanks to inspect them, reduce offline time, and protect potable water sources from contamination.
6. Communication Antenna Installation Issues
As more and more communication antennas are going up on water tanks today, more attention must be paid to the installation techniques used to do that.
Antennas must be secured in ways that do not attribute to tank deterioration or water contamination and tank support structures must be vetted to be certain that they are strong enough to bear the weight of the communication tower as well as the water tank itself.
Some Final Thoughts
The future of water tank maintenance appears to be one of further enhancements in the technology that is a part of the construction and maintenance of water storage tanks as well as additional challenges to this industry.
So tank owners must keep informed of changes in water tank maintenance regulations as well as the technology and procedures being used within the industry to manufacture, run, restore, and maintain potable water tanks.
The best way to accomplish this is by hiring a trained and experienced water tank service that uses current and approved methods for tank inspection and rehabilitation, a company that can also become a trusted partner for planning and executing necessary tank maintenance.