HERSHEY, PA, March 19, 2014 -- Today, Pennsylvania American Water announced its 2014 construction plans to rehabilitate 13 existing water storage tanks and erect four new storage structures across the commonwealth. The company'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.
The combined cost of the tank projects is nearly $10 million. These upgrades follow the company's investment of approximately $16.5 million in 2013 to rehab 15 existing tanks and erect nine new storage structures. Pennsylvania American Water owns and maintains more than 290 storage tanks across the state.
"Storage tanks are essential to our community water systems, because they help ensure water service reliability and fire protection for our customers," said President Kathy L. Pape of Pennsylvania American Water. "In addition to building new tanks to address customer demand, the rehab projects are crucial to extending the tanks' lifespan, which is more cost-efficient than replacing the structures."
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.
This year, Pennsylvania American Water will rehabilitate existing tanks in the following communities:
- West Mifflin Borough, Allegheny County -- 7.2 million-gallon ground storage tank
- Bethel Park, Allegheny County -- 5 million-gallon ground storage tank
- Carroll Township, Washington County -- 500,000-gallon elevated tank
- Center Township, Butler County -- Pair of 560,000-gallon ground storage tanks
- Butler Township, Butler County -- 250,000-gallon elevated tank
- Archbald Borough, Lackawanna County -- 1 million-gallon ground storage tank
- Montrose Borough, Susquehanna County -- 375,000-gallon ground storage tank
- Exeter Township, Berks County -- Pair of ground storage tanks: 1 million-gallon and 500,000-gallon capacity
- Spring Township, Berks County -- Pair of ground storage tanks: 1 million-gallon and 500,000-gallon capacity
- East Pikeland Township, Chester County -- 200,000-gallon ground storage tank
New tank construction is also planned in the following communities:
- Hamilton Township, Monroe County - 500,000-gallon ground storage tank, scheduled for completion by year end. Estimated cost $1.1 million
- Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County – Pair of 528,000-gallon ground storage tanks, scheduled for completion by year end. Estimated cost $2.3 million
- Wetmore Township, McKean County - 255,000-gallon clearwell tank, scheduled for completion by year end. Estimated cost $700,000
About Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (AWK), is the largest water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.2 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. For more information, visit www.amwater.com.
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