Inspection Techniques for Water Storage Tanks: a Guide

Water tank inspection services ensure that your potable water storage tanks are as clean and safe as possible, reducing risks to your employees, processes, and equipment.

Water tank inspection services are critical in industries that rely on potable water storage tanks for drinking, washing, food preparation, and industrial applications.

Water storage tanks hold and store clean water produced by filtering systems until it is needed. They are available in a variety of designs, sizes, and performance capabilities, depending on the application’s requirements. They play an important role in many processes in the industrial, commercial, and municipal sectors, making a proper selection, installation, and maintenance critical.

 

Why is Water Storage Tank Maintenance Crucial?

 

A water storage tank is a significant asset for any facility that utilizes one, and like other vital equipment, it requires regular maintenance. Proper maintenance offers several key benefits, such as:

  1. Extended service life: Regular tank inspections and maintenance help identify existing damage and potential future problems before they escalate, preserving the tank’s structural integrity and prolonging its lifespan.

  2. Improved equipment performance: By addressing issues early, the system operates more efficiently, resulting in better overall performance.

  3. Enhanced water quality: Timely repairs to the tank and its connected system minimize the risk of contamination, ensuring that the water remains safe and clean for consumption.

  4. Reduced repair and replacement costs: Identifying issues like corrosion or coating delamination before they worsen can prevent significant damage, reducing the need for costly repairs or tank replacements.

 

Water Storage Tank Inspection Methods

 

The first step in any maintenance process is inspecting the condition of the water storage tank. These inspections are typically categorized into wet and dry types:

  • Dry Inspections: These require the tank to be emptied of water before a licensed specialist can perform the inspection. This method allows a thorough examination of the tank’s structure and components.

  • Wet Inspections: Wet inspections are conducted without draining the tank. A disinfected diver or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) enters the tank to assess its condition and identify potential issues. If significant damage is found, such as peeling paint or thinning steel, the tank must be taken out of service for necessary repairs.

 

 

Regardless of the method used, inspections generally start at the tank’s bottom and progress upward, examining components like the legs, rods, struts, and ladders. Key factors to evaluate include the steel’s thickness, the paint’s thickness, and the adhesion of the coating.

 

Maintenance Requirements for Water Storage Tanks

 

To ensure structural and sanitary integrity, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) recommends that tanks be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. While the frequency of inspections varies depending on a number of factors such as location, operating conditions, and the type of equipment used, the organization, along with other industrial companies and agencies, provides the following guidelines:

Inspections should be performed every one, three, or five years (depending on the tank application). During these operations, every system component, including the paint, is evaluated. Because paint protects steel tank components from corrosion, flaws in the painted surface can jeopardize the steel’s integrity as well as the quality of the water.

If the system exhibits any of the following symptoms, cleaning should be performed:

  • Repairs or upgrades the water tank
  • Sedimentation or biological development (e.g., coliform bacteria)
  • Changes in water quality that are noticeable

Storage tanks are classified as “confined spaces” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As a result, during inspection and maintenance operations, only qualified individuals wearing appropriate protective gear and extraction equipment should enter the structures.

We offer tried and tested services in Crockett, Grapeland, Kennard, Latexo, Lovelady, Ratcliff, HOUSTON, TEXAS. 

We also offer tried and tested services in Longbeach, and cities, towns, suburbs, localities, and places close to Long Beach such as Lakewood, Rossmoor, Lincoln Village, Seal Beach, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Bellflower, Carson, La Palma, Paramount, Cerritos, East Compton, West Carson, Compton, Norwalk, Stanton, Westminster, Lomita, Downey, Lynwood, Rolling Hills Estates, Cudahy, CALIFORNIA.

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Or email at info@amtanks.com

1305 W 11th St #4087 Houston, TX 77008 USA

3711 Long Beach blvd Suite 4057 4th Floor # 1079 Long Beach, CA 90807 USA

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