In an article published by USA Today in its May 2021 issue, the condition of water towers throughout the country came under attack and with good reason.
Totally aside from whatever politics may be involved in the issue, the research conducted revealed a scary truth, namely that many water towers used to store potable water are in terrible states of neglect according to infrastructure inspectors and various water tower engineering services.
Decades of neglect and failure to adhere to required inspections and maintenance needs has resulted in situations where many tanks are in disarray and people are at risk due to the quality of the water.
The Importance of Water Tower Maintenance
What those in charge of the care of these tanks and the safety of the stored water must understand is just how critical water tower maintenance really is.
Without proper maintenance as recommended by water tower designers and engineers as well as the manufacturers of essential corrosion-resistant coatings, water tanks of all types including below ground tanks and above ground towers slowly erode over the years.
Left unchecked, corrosion creates an entry point for contamination, as evidenced by the research done for the article.
Sampled tanks were found to be contaminated with dead animals, animal feces, insects, bacteria, and many other things.
Owners Are Responsible for Water Tower Maintenance
Though the issue of establishing a nationwide schedule of tank inspections and other requirements is one that must be addressed, tank owners themselves can easily prevent the above mentioned issues by simply adhering to clean tank practices on their own.
Proper maintenance from the start is essential for keeping water tower tanks in clean, serviceable condition and older towers with extensive damage must be either repaired or replaced.
Considering the effects that contaminated water can have on the public consuming it, more attention must go into preventing the equipment damage that allows it.
Cities Can Seek Help From Water Tower Maintenance Services
Whether servicing a large city or a small town, those charged with managing water towers must provide adequate maintenance and have regular inspections performed to keep the public safe.
This should be done with the assistance of a reputable and experienced water tower engineering service qualified to inspect towers, diagnose problems, and advise on repairs, cleaning, and maintenance needs to keep things running smoothly and safely.
A qualified water tower service can develop an inspection and maintenance schedule for these tanks so that, regardless of the absence of any official maintenance or inspection directives, tank owners can ensure the safety and serviceability of all of their tanks.