PA American Water Unveils $19.6 Million Plan For Upgrading Water Storage In 16 Communities

PA American Water Wednesday announced its 2018 plans to rehabilitate 10 existing water storage tanks, as well as erect six new storage structures in communities across the state.

Pennsylvania American Water’s rehab program of inspecting, sandblasting and repainting tanks will extend their service life and protect water quality, and the new tank construction will provide increased storage capacity to meet customer demand and improve fire protection. Total cost of the company’s water storage improvements is approximately $19.6 million.

“Storage tanks are often in remote locations and not visible to customers, but they are critically important to our infrastructure to ensure 24/7 reliability, meet the communities’ water needs, and provide fire protection,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Jeffrey L. McIntyre. “In addition to constructing more storage to meet local demand, we are prudently investing in preventative maintenance to extend the lifespan of existing tanks, which is more cost-efficient than replacing the structures.”

This year, Pennsylvania American Water will invest a combined total of nearly $6.6 million to rehabilitate and repaint existing tanks in the following municipalities:

-- Jefferson Hills Borough, Allegheny County – 300,000-gallon elevated storage tank

-- California Borough, Washington County – 400,000-gallon ground storage tank

-- Union Township, Washington County – 500,000-gallon treatment tank

-- Saxonburg Borough, Butler County – 400,000-gallon elevated storage tank

-- Conewago Township, Warren County - 1 million-gallon ground storage tank

-- Sugar Notch Borough, Luzerne County – 1 million-gallon ground storage tank

-- Plains Township, Luzerne County – 500,000-gallon ground storage tank

-- Wright Township, Luzerne County – 1 million-gallon ground storage tank

-- Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County - 500,000-gallon storage tank

-- West Caln Township, Chester County - 200,000-gallon elevated storage tank

To rehabilitate the tanks, crews will strip the original paint and apply a new coating, which serves as a protective barrier that prevents the steel from rusting and compromising water quality.

During construction, the company does not expect customers to experience service interruptions. The projects include mitigation procedures to ensure that paint fumes and dust levels are in compliance with air pollution control requirements mandated by local health departments and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

In addition, the company will build new tanks in the following communities:

-- Canton Township, Washington County – 750,000-gallon elevated storage tank; Approximate cost $2.6 million.

-- Fallowfield Township, Washington County - 500,000-gallon ground storage tank; Approximate cost $3.2 million.

-- Lincoln Borough, Allegheny County - 1 million-gallon ground storage tank; Approximate cost $3 million.

-- White Township, Indiana County – 750,000-gallon ground storage tank; Approximate cost $1.7 million.

-- Shenango Township, Lawrence County – 300,000-gallon ground storage tank; Approximate cost $1.6 million.

-- Dunmore Borough, Lackawanna County - 120,000-gallon ground storage tank; Approximate cost $900,000.

McIntyre said, “This year’s tank upgrades follow our company’s 2017 investment of nearly $8.5 million to rehabilitate 10 storage tanks and build four new storage structures.” Pennsylvania American Water owns and maintains more than 250 water storage facilities across the state.

For more information on the water service areas, visit the PA American Water website.

(Photo: Allentown Morning Call.)