Panel tanks are used to store drinking water, wastewater, and other liquids, so it’s crucial that they be inspected thoroughly to ensure their integrity and efficiency. Given the critical nature of panel tank inspection, the use of underwater drone footage has emerged as a reliable and cost-effective alternative to traditional processes.
In compliance with American Water Works Association (AWWA) recommendations, using underwater drones for a panel tank inspection can lessen the dangers associated with restricted areas and increase the speed and precision of inspections.
Thus, underwater drone inspections have become a crucial tool for assuring the safety and dependability of FRP panel tanks, ultimately helping both the employees who maintain them and the people that depend on them for clean water.
Why Must You Adhere to AWWA Guidelines?
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) offers comprehensive guidelines for the design, operation, and maintenance of water systems. Adhering to AWWA standards is essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and sustainability of water infrastructure. By following these best practices, water system operators can safeguard public health and provide consumers with high-quality water.
AWWA guidelines cover essential aspects of water system operations, including treatment, distribution, and storage. These standards address key areas such as water quality monitoring, disinfection, and corrosion control. By following these recommendations, water system operators can implement best practices while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Beyond technical guidance, AWWA standards promote consistency across the water industry, which is particularly important for public water systems serving large populations. Adhering to these standards helps establish a recognized framework for managing and maintaining water quality, ensuring alignment with regulatory authorities, customers, and other stakeholders.
AWWA Guidelines for Underwater Drone Inspections of Panel Tanks
Several AWWA standards and publications related to underground water tank inspections and maintenance may be relevant for conducting underwater drone inspections of panel tanks. These include:
AWWA D100-11: Welded Steel Water Storage Tanks
This standard outlines the minimum design, construction, inspection, and maintenance requirements for welded steel water storage tanks. It provides guidelines for tank inspection, repair, and maintenance, which can be applied to underwater drone inspections.
AWWA M42: Steel Water-Storage Tanks
This guide offers detailed information on the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of steel water storage tanks. It includes recommendations on inspection intervals, methods, and necessary repairs.
AWWA D121-12: Bolted Aboveground Thermosetting Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Panel-Type Tanks for Water Storage
This standard establishes design, construction, inspection, and maintenance requirements for bolted fiberglass-reinforced plastic water storage tanks. While it covers tank inspection, repair, and maintenance, it does not specifically address the use of underwater drones for inspections.
AWWA M58: Internal Water Tank Inspection
This guide provides comprehensive details on internal inspections of steel and concrete water tanks. It covers inspection methods, necessary equipment, and safety considerations, some of which may be applicable to underwater drone inspections.
Benefits of Meeting Underwater Drone Inspections for Panel Tanks per AWWA Guidelines
When conducted in accordance with American Water Works Association (AWWA) requirements, underwater drone inspections of panel tanks can provide a number of benefits for optimizing the safety and efficiency of water system operations. These advantages include the following:
1. Increased security
Inspections conducted by underwater drones can eliminate the need for divers to enter the tank, which can be a dangerous undertaking. By utilizing underwater drones, operators can reduce the dangers associated with restricted areas and underwater labor and eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming safety procedures.
2. Accurate and thorough inspections
Inspections by underwater drones can provide a more thorough and comprehensive view of the tank than conventional methods. Drones equipped with high-quality cameras and sensors may take exact photos and measurements of a tank’s state, enabling the identification of possible problems and areas of concern.
3. Reduced costs and time spent
Water system operators might realize cost savings due to the increased speed and efficiency of underwater drone inspections compared to conventional inspection methods. By decreasing downtime and lowering the need for additional equipment and staff, underwater drone inspections can assist in controlling maintenance and repair costs.
4. Observance of regulatory standards
In order to guarantee compliance with regulatory standards, AWWA rules demand periodic inspections of water storage tanks; underwater drone inspections can help achieve these criteria. By giving precise and comprehensive information on the status of the tank, operators may make maintenance and repair decisions in accordance with regulatory requirements.
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