When Sip Happens
A failure to plan is a plan to fail. When a water storage tank emergency happens, it’s a major disruption to your community. Don’t assume you know it all – another set of eyes can help point out the little things that may go awry. Preparing is the key to minimizing the worst-case scenario. A […]
How Often Does My Water Tank Need to be Cleaned?
Water storage tank cleanings are a vital part of tank maintenance. It allows tank owners to maintain clean and healthy potable water for their community, and gives inspectors a chance to identify potential corrosion and structural issues in the tank. However, many tank owners are unsure of how often they should have their water tank […]
Extending the Coating Life in GAC Tanks
Granular Activated Charcoal (GAC) tanks are notoriously abrasive, which has a negative impact on coatings. With how expensive coating systems are, it’s important to prolong the lifespan as much as possible, yet many incorrectly specified coating systems can fail within 10 years. When the coating system on a GAC tank lasts longer than 30 […]
Achieving Maximum Coating Longevity
Painting a water tower can be a monumental investment for any community, which is why it is crucial to take every step to extend the coating’s life expectancy. Advancements in coating systems have helped tremendously in prolonging the lifetime to over 20 years, but even the best coating system will not last if not applied […]
Full- vs. Part-Time NACE/AMPP Inspection
Water tank projects, such as reconditioning or new construction, are a monumental investment for a community. In order to make that investment last throughout its entire expected life cycle, it is crucial to ensure the work is completed according to the specifications. Many communities will opt for part-time inspections to save money, but this can […]
A Tale of Two Plans: Long vs. Short Term Asset Management
Water tanks require regular maintenance to preserve the integrity of the structure and protect the community’s investment. This case study investigates the true costs of short vs. long term asset management and how to extend a water tank’s expected life. Prior to creating a plan, it is crucial to identify a system’s assets, risks, and […]
ROV Evaluations: Convenient, safe, and efficient without sacrificing quality
For decades, municipalities have needed to rely on draining their water reservoirs to allow for periodic inspections as asserted by state regulations. Draining water reservoirs can impose certain risks, such as potential contamination, maintaining operation of their systems, and the safety of the inspector. Not to mention the costs of wasting a natural resource. Fortunately, […]
A Day in the Life of an Inspector
Many kids dream of being a doctor, president, or veterinarian; often overlooking “grounded” jobs like being an inspector. Growing up, Devin Severson was one of those kids, but today he loves being an inspector at KLM Engineering, Inc. He says it’s “pretty awesome.” Devin has worked for KLM for almost nine years now, and travels across […]
Winterizing Your Water Tower
Properly winterizing a water tank is crucial for protecting it from freezing and should be done prior to the cold setting in. Here are a few tips on winterizing your water tower this season. Complete Repairs Prior to freezing temperatures, make sure to thoroughly inspect the tank for any necessary repairs. Ensure everything is working […]
How an Antenna on Your Water Tower Can Benefit Your Community
Have you ever thought of how you can use the space at the top of your community’s water tower? By leasing out otherwise unused space to telecommunication companies, communities are able to capitalize on their water towers and provide their citizens with better cellular phone coverage. This article answers a few common questions people might […]
What You Need to Know About Water Tank Mixers
Mixing has been a part of water tank maintenance ever since water tanks have existed. For decades water tank owners relied on engineering a complex piping system to mix their water only when it filled, otherwise called a passive mixing system. Today owners have the luxury of installing an active water mixing system. With water […]
CDPHE: What It Means for Colorado Water Storage
For water storage tanks in the state of Colorado, owners should be aware of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Storage Tank Rule (STR) that became effective in 2016. Essentially, this rule was put in place to promote healthier drinking water standards by regulating how often a water storage reservoir is inspected. […]
When Do You Need an Engineer for Water Storage Projects?
For those planning a water storage project, they might be surprised with how often an engineer is necessary. Even with something one would consider as “simple” as a home renovation can entail an engineer’s help to ensure the structural safety of a home, and is even more imperative when it involves a city’s water infrastructure […]
When is the Best Time to Inspect Your Water Storage Tank?
Is it time to inspect your water storage tank or reservoir, or would another time of year work better for your system? Each owner has his answer, and in many cases, there is a unique answer for each tank or reservoir. Numerous factors will dictate when you can most easily take your tank out […]
Wisconsin DNR Reservoir Inspection Requirements
As you are probably aware, there have been some changes to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) administrative code that lists the requirements for the operation and maintenance of public water systems (Chapter NR 810). KLM Engineering would like to take this opportunity to summarize the current requirements. The WI DNR requires that […]
Cold Weather Operation Procedures
Perhaps the first thing to do is to review previous years’ water usage during the cold weather months and consider how any changes in the past year will affect the usage this year. This may even involve some consultation with local industries or other heavy users to determine if they anticipate any changes to their […]
