AWWA INF52160

Storage tanks can cost up to 6% of the total value of a City's water treatment and distribution system. For a City serving a population in excess of 1,000,000 the value of the tanks at current replacement value can be as high as $100,000,000. The value of the tanks and their importance to the system justifies a proactive maintenance management program. The City of Houston, Texas, developed such a program and implemented it in 1987. Prior to 1987, the City tank maintenance management program consisted of performing maintenance on tanks on an as-needed basis since funds were not available to provide for a formal maintenance program. The upgrade program is estimated to cost $75,000,000 and will ultimately provide for the cleaning, inspection and rehabilitation of approximately 225 water storage tanks in the City of Houston water system. The tanks range in size from 25,000 gallons to 12.5 million gallons. Since 1987, when the program started, 125 tanks have been rehabilitated and or replaced as part of this program at a cost of $50 million. This paper discusses the City of Houston's tank maintenance management program which consists of the following elements: developing the tank inventory; developing program schedule/budget; developing a scope of work; performing tank evaluations; rehabilitation/replacement decision; preparation of plans and bid documents; inspection and construction management; and, one-year warranty inspection. Includes tables.