To keep up with general maintenance for the drinking water supply for Exeter Township, Pennsylvania American Water recently repainted the two water structures.
The entire water supply for Exeter Township exists within a large 500,000-gallon tank, along with a one million-gallon storage tank off Grant Street, across from the Reiffton School. As a way to keep the structures up to code at a controlled cost and extend the lifespan of the large containers, both structures were repainted. Berks-Mont Newspapers were invited for an exclusive inside look at the 500,000 gallon tank after its repainting. The tank was originally constructed in 1968 and was last re-painted in 1997. The one million-gallon storage tank was constructed in 1990.
‘This project we started in the end of March. [The tank] was taken out of service in March, completely sandblasted inside and out and completely repainted,’ Jim Reynolds, operation supervisor for Glen-Alsace district said.
The combined costs of rehabilitating and repainting both structures was around $620,000. The tanks offer a drinking supply for 9,100 customers in both Exeter and Amity as well as provide the water for the fire departments.
Painting the tanks is a way ‘to protect the infrastructure of the tank’ as they were both ‘in dire need of repainting,’ Reynolds said.
The tank is expected to be refilled and ready for service by Aug. 15.
