Inspection Techniques for Water Storage Tanks: A Guide

Water tank inspection services ensure that your potable water storage tanks are kept in a hygienic and secure condition, reducing risks to your employees, operations, and equipment.

In industries where potable water storage tanks are indispensable for drinking, washing, food preparation, and industrial purposes, water tank inspection services are indispensable.

These storage tanks retain and store purified water produced by filtration systems until it is needed. They come in various designs, sizes, and performance capacities, customized to meet the requirements of different applications. Water storage tanks play a critical role in numerous processes across industrial, commercial, and municipal sectors, highlighting the significance of proper selection, installation, and maintenance.

Why is Water Storage Tank Maintenance Important?

A water storage tank is a valuable asset for facilities that choose to invest in one, and like other critical equipment, it requires regular maintenance. Proper maintenance offers several benefits, including:

  • Extended service life: Regularly scheduled tank inspections and maintenance activities enable industry professionals to identify existing damage and potential sources of damage before they become significant issues. This proactive approach minimizes the negative impact on the tank’s integrity, thus prolonging its service life.
  • Improved equipment performance: Identifying and addressing problems through regular maintenance activities contribute to the overall improved performance of the system.
  • Enhanced water quality: Resolving issues in the water storage tank and its associated system helps mitigate the risk of contamination and other adverse effects that could compromise the quality of water stored in potable water tanks.
  • Reduced repair and replacement costs: Early detection of issues such as corrosion or coating delamination helps prevent them from developing into major problems. Consequently, equipment damage is minimized, leading to fewer expensive repairs and replacements.

Water Storage Tank Inspection Techniques

The first step in any maintenance procedure is to inspect the equipment’s condition. Water storage tank inspections can be divided into wet or dry categories.

Dry inspections, as the name implies, require the tank to be drained of water before a licensed specialist can conduct them.

On the other hand, wet inspections are carried out without draining the tank. Depending on the tank’s design, either a disinfected diver or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is used to enter the structure and identify potential issues. If significant problems are identified, such as peeling paint or thinning steel, the tank must be taken out of service for repairs.

Regardless of the method used, inspections typically start at the tank’s bottom and progress upwards to examine the legs, rods, struts, and ladder. Key tank conditions to assess include steel thickness, paint thickness, and coating adhesion levels.

Maintenance Requirements for Water Storage Tanks

To maintain structural and sanitary integrity, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) recommends regular inspection and maintenance of tanks. The frequency of inspections varies depending on factors such as location, operating conditions, and equipment type. The organization, along with other industrial entities and agencies, provides the following guidelines:

Inspections should be conducted every one, three, or five years, depending on the tank’s purpose. These inspections involve assessing every system component, including the paint. Since paint acts as a protective layer for steel tank components against corrosion, any imperfections in the painted surface can jeopardize both the integrity of the steel and the quality of the water.

If any of the following signs are observed in the system, cleaning should be undertaken:

  • Repair or upgrade of the water tank
  • Sedimentation or biological growth (such as coliform bacteria)
  • Noticeable changes in water quality

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

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.

Our friendly and experienced customer service team is here to help you!

Call Panel Tanks by American Tanks at +1 800 656 0167

Or email at info@americanpaneltanks.com 

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

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

Our recent Projects
Our Recent Articles