Water Storage Tanks Operation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation

Upon completion of this course, you will understand:

• Tank types, comparisons, advantages/disadvantages
• Safety for water storage tank operation
• Attaching antennas to tanks
• Mixing in water storage tanks
• Tank inspections
• Tank rehabilitation 
• Warranty and aftercare of tanks
• Various tank types: Bolted Steel, Prestressed Concrete, etc
• Coatings for concrete and steel tanks
• Corrosion Control and Cathodic Protection
• Improved tank asset management

• Utility managers
• Engineers
• Public works directors and superintendents
• Distribution system operators
• Others with water storage tank responsibilities

• Water Storage Tank Types
  • Tank type overview
  • Advantages and disadvantages
  • Design efficiency
  • Operations and maintenance considerations
  • Aesthetics
• Safety for Water Storage Tank Operation
  • Important safety issues
  • Overview of safety equipment and procedures for tank climbing and rigging
  • Tank details for safety and rescue retrieval
• Attaching antennas to Tanks
  • Typical antenna attachment details
  • Protecting structural integrity of tank
  • Avoiding paint damage and corrosion
  • Operational and aesthetic concerns
  • Accommodating future antenna installations
• Mixing in Water Storage Tanks
  • Storage tank water quality problems and causes
  • Water storage tank mixing – mixing basics – methods of mixing – potential mixing problems
  • Modeling mixing and water aging in storage tanks
  • Retrofits to improve mixing and tank water quality
• Initial Inspections for Tanks
  • Essential elements of tank inspections
  • Inspector qualifications
  • Inspection types – drained tank – underwater inspections
  • Photo and video documentation
  • Inspection report
• Tank Rehabilitation
• Warranty and Aftercare for Tanks
• Bolted Steel and Prestressed Concrete Tanks
• Coatings for Steel and Concrete Tanks
  • Coating types
  • Expected coating life
  • Coating selection
  • Surface preparation
  • Quality control
• Essentials of Asset Management
• Corrosion Control and Cathodic Protection
  • Cathodic protection methods/systems
  • Operation of cathodic protection systems
• Case Studies

Joe Hoban

Mr. Joseph Hoban is the Vice President of Dixon Engineering, Inc. and brings over 25 years of expertise in potable drinking water storage. He holds a degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he graduated in 1998. Although his degree focused on geology, Joe's career took a different path, leading him into the field of inspecting potable drinking water tanks. His experience spans a wide range of tank types, including ground tanks, elevated tanks, steel tanks, and concrete tanks.

Joe is a Licensed Professional Engineer in 10 states, a Certified Coatings Inspector through the Association of Material Protection and Performance (AMPP), and a Certified Weld Inspector through the American Welding Society. His diverse certifications and years of experience make him a leader in the water storage industry.

Brandon Shea

Tim Wilson

Seth McClure

Seth McClure, PE has been actively involved with Asset Management for eight years, first as the Asset Manager at the Madison Water Utility, and most recently as supervisor for asset management programs at the Madison Metro Sewerage District. More recently, Seth has shifted his focus from engineering and asset management to issues surrounding the governance of utilities, strategic planning, and leadership development. Seth is currently the Strategic Planning and Policy Advisor for MMSD. A former high school teacher, freelance writer, and carpenter, Seth is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.