Every winter, residents ask, “How do water towers not freeze?” Water district managers need a more practical answer because ice inside a tank can damage components nobody can see from the ground.How Do Water Towers Not Freeze?Water towers stay liquid because the water entering them starts well above freezing, and daily demand keeps replacing it. […]
By Brent Phillips
Lead was once steel’s best defense against rust, and the coatings industry didn’t switch from lead-based to zinc-based systems until the 1970s, after researchers identified lead’s health hazards. Researchers note that municipal water tower exteriors were painted with lead paint prior to 1978, and many still stand. Even today, some developing countries have no restrictions […]
A tank inspection from ground level only tells half the story. Water district managers often assume a tank’s exterior condition mirrors what’s happening inside, until a drone or ROV inspection proves otherwise. For Cunningham Sandblasting & Painting Co., headquartered in Joplin, Missouri, that gap is exactly where ROV inspection footage earns its keep.What API 653 […]
By Brent Phillips
Every water district manager assumes the coating inside their water tank is safe once installed. But safety and compliance aren’t the same. If your lining hasn’t been verified against NSF/ANSI 61, you may be operating a non-compliant tank without knowing it—and that gap carries real regulatory and health consequences.What NSF/ANSI 61 Means for Tank CoatingsNSF/ANSI […]
By Brent Phillips
As municipalities plan capital budgets for the second half (H2) of 2026, water asset managers and city water managers are reassessing how often their elevated and ground storage tanks get evaluated. A disciplined water tank inspection program protects public health, extends asset life, and provides finance departments with hard numbers rather than guesswork. Cunningham Sandblasting […]
By Brent Phillips
For water asset managers overseeing steel tanks and elevated towers, a failing protective coating is never a cosmetic problem. Coating breakdown exposes bare metal to moisture and oxygen, accelerating structural corrosion and threatening drinking water quality. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recommends inspecting steel water storage facilities every three to five years to maintain […]
By Brent Phillips
Climate change is already stressing Midwest water infrastructure, and elevated assets in storm corridors across the Southern United States and Midwest regions sit on the front line. Choosing the right protective coatings is now a core risk-management decision, not just a paint-color choice.Why Protective Coatings Matter for Storm-Ready AssetsEvery water tower and water tank in […]
By Brent Phillips
Murals and branding on water tanks and treatment facilities send a strong message to the community, but also face some of the harshest environments for public assets. To protect both art and infrastructure, water asset managers need exterior coating strategies that respect budgets, operations, and water quality. Durable coatings thus become central to asset management, […]
By Brent Phillips
Municipal water asset managers face tight regulatory expectations when scheduling tank sandblasting projects, and proper planning protects budgets, schedules, and public trust. This overview highlights how guidelines and permits safeguard public health while keeping critical infrastructure in service.Why is Municipal Tank Sandblasting RegulatedOpen abrasive blasting can release fine particulate matter, metals, and old coating debris […]
AWWA and state guidance consistently show that structured inspection, cleaning, coating, and budgeting programs are what keep elevated tanks deliverable, compliant, and predictable for the long term. For water asset managers and city authorities, 2026 is a good time to tighten that playbook so every water tower rehab dollar is planned, not reactive.Inspection CadencePublic health […]
By Brent Phillips
