Posted on February 27, 2025 by Brent Phillips

In many communities, water towers serve a dual purpose: They provide essential water storage and act as prime real estate for cellular equipment. However, when these towers require maintenance, a complex choreography must unfold between water utilities, cell companies, and specialized service providers like Cunningham Inc.

The Necessity of Maintenance

Many industries have regulatory guidelines and recommendations. The protective coating industry recommends internally and externally inspecting water towers for public health and safety every three to five years. 

Meanwhile, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) recommends inspecting guyed towers every three years and self-supporting structures every five years. Annual inspections are advised in coastal areas prone to corrosive salt air and high winds. These assessments thoroughly document the tower’s condition, including its legs, cross members, and other critical components.

This shows that these two industries have different inspection timelines, making coordinating across sectors and conducting water tower maintenance challenging.

Coordinating with Cell Companies

When maintenance is required, removing cellular equipment becomes a strategic undertaking. This coordination is essential to minimizing water supply and cellular coverage disruptions. In some cases, water towers can house cell equipment from five carriers, making the complexity of this task more evident.

Legal and Contractual Considerations

Contracts between water utilities and cell carriers often govern the removal process. For instance, non-renewal without town approval is allowed when four out of six carrier contracts expire. However, terminating an ongoing contract requires municipal consent, highlighting the intricate legal landscape surrounding these agreements. 

NOTE: It’s best to have a town municipal attorney review legal contracts before making any contractual decisions based on what is written in this blog.

Planning and Execution

The planning and execution phase is critical to ensure a smooth process for removing cellular equipment from water towers. This involves coordinating multiple stakeholders, creating detailed timelines, and developing contingency plans to mitigate potential issues.

• Temporary Solutions
• Safety and Compliance
• The Removal Process
• Post-Removal Considerations

Temporary Solutions

Temporary solutions may be necessary to maintain cellular coverage during maintenance. These could involve deploying mobile cell towers, known as Cells on Wheels (COWs), or coordinating with neighboring towers to adjust signal strength and coverage areas.

Safety and Compliance

Safety is paramount when removing cellular equipment from water towers. Companies like Cunningham Inc. ensure compliance with OSHA standards and EIA/TIA 222 codes. This includes installing proper fall prevention systems and following strict safety protocols during the removal process.

The Removal Process

The actual removal of cellular equipment is a meticulous process that typically involves:

1. Decommissioning sensitive electronics
2. Disconnecting power sources
3. Dismantling communication shelters
4. Carefully removing antennas and associated hardware
5. Identifying salvageable components for sustainability

Post-Removal Considerations

Once the cellular equipment is removed, the focus shifts to the water tower maintenance itself. This may include:

• Sandblasting and repainting the tower
• Structural repairs and upgrades
• Installation of new safety features
• Cleaning and sanitizing the water storage area

Seamless Coordination

Removing cellular equipment from a water tower for maintenance is a complex process that requires careful planning, coordination, and execution. It involves balancing the needs of water utilities, cell carriers, and the community. Companies like Cunningham Inc. play a crucial role in navigating these challenges. They coordinate with city municipalities to ensure that water continues to be fed to communities and that cellular communications remain reliable and uninterrupted.

As our infrastructure continues to evolve, integrating water storage and cellular technology will likely face ongoing challenges. However, with proper planning and cooperation between all stakeholders, these essential services can coexist and thrive, supporting the growing needs of our communities.