Water and wastewater management are highly regulated in the United States. Many standards exist to minimize harmful consequences at the hands of soiled water, including those set forth in the Clean Water Act. Regardless of industry, many facility leaders are tasked with managing water and wastewater appropriately to avoid fees, environmental damage, human health, and more. As you begin planning and mitigating the risks associated with water or wastewater management, one of the most important aspects to consider is your storage tank fabrication.
Well planned water storage tank configuration is key; however, all too often “selection is based on a preferred construction type in lieu of field performance requirements.” It’s essential to evaluate your water or wastewater storage needs so you can properly define your “value attributes” and “life cycle costs.” Determining optimal tank construction based on important considerations such as those can help ensure you get the most out of your investment — and meet any regulations. Consider the following factors:
- Size and design — Capacity and sizing requirements can vary greatly depending on the volume of water your storage tanks will hold. Water storage tanks should be large enough to adequately and safely hold your water, avoiding the risk of overages. Diameter and height ratios — which impact tank design and cost — depend on whether you’ll need standpipes, reservoir, or elevated tanks.
Materials — You can construct water storage tanks from a variety of materials such as plastic, steel, fiberglass, stone or, concrete. Abrasive materials in the water, including bacteria, as well as corrosion are common threats for these types of storage tanks. It’s key to construct water storage tanks in a way that helps combat corrosion as well as mitigate wear and tear that can cause leaks or worse.- Secondary containment — Adding an extra layer of protection is important to upholding tank integrity. Similar to tank materials, for secondary containment strategies “it is usually necessary to differentiate between water and wastewater tanks since the latter contains water that is usually much more aggressive in terms of water chemistry.” Taking this extra step can better protect your tanks and enhance their longevity. Furthermore, properly protected tanks can also increase the safety of your team and facility.
- Expert construction — Seek a tank fabricator who has the necessary credentials: properly trained, licensed, and permitted to fabricate and install your tanks. The right partner will keep tank functionality and longevity top of mind. Leveraging an expert to create a durable solution can also reduce maintenance costs, downtime, and safety risks due to tank failure. Every facility is different, so it’s important to work with a tank fabricator who can recognize any special considerations your project might require as well.
Failure to properly manage water or wastewater can leave you at risk for fines or your facility at risk of a shutdown. Investing in custom, corrosion resistant water storage tanks suitably designed for your needs can help keep your operations running smoothly and within compliance.