Columbian TecTanks are cost-effective, durable epoxy tanks that have a wide variety of uses and are especially well-suited for small capacity tanks. TecTanks can last about 20 years in many applications thanks to recent advancements in materials and construction. TecTanks utilize thick steel, few penetration points and an optimized bolt pattern that provide exceptional performance along with expansion capabilities, if required.
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Not only are Columbian TecTanks a solid choice for many applications, they are also relatively simple to construct, with as little disruption to business or municipal operations as possible. The entire process can be coordinated through Southeastern Tank, which will handle everything from design through post-erection testing.
Southeastern Tank utilizes a proprietary jacking method that limits the need for scaffolding, cranes and other heavy equipment and allows for a faster end-to-end process, with most projects completed in less than 12 weeks. You can see the process for yourself here:
Columbian TecTanks are some of the best factory-coated, bolted shop-welded tanks in the market and have been proven in applications ranging from potable water to fire protection and wastewater treatment and management. They utilize some of the most advanced storage coatings in the industry and provide strong chemical resistance, resulting in a high-quality, low-maintenance system.
With traditional welded tanks, there is a significant wait period to apply coatings if the weather delays the curing process. Factory coating eliminates weather as a factor, which speeds up construction and limits downtime and operational disruptions.
Aquastore tanks are some of the most versatile, durable and long-lasting tanks in the market today. However, when liquid storage tanks need to be replaced or constructed from scratch, time is often one of the most important factors.
Downtime can lead to lost profits or the inability to meet obligations to customers. An additional benefit of Aquastore tanks is the speed with which they can be designed, constructed and integrated into an existing system.
Aquastore tanks are constructed using a jacking method. In this system, the tank is built from the top down and the ground up. The bottom plates of the tank are completed first, but the top ring of the tank and the roof are actually the first pieces of the tank to be erected. The tank is then raised on jacks, with the next ring of the tank placed underneath the roof until the tank reaches its proper height. Finally, the lower shell is welded in place.
You can see the jack method in action here:
This jacking method virtually eliminates the use of scaffolding, which makes the process more efficient and reduces the construction footprint to ensure minimal disruption.
Not only is the construction process itself a breeze, but the planning and coordination process is much simpler than with other types of tanks because everything can be coordinated through Southeastern Tank. One team takes care of all of the administrative, mobilization and coordination required to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
Aquastore glass-fused-to-steel tanks are an ideal solution for most municipal water, industrial water, wastewater and industrial liquid solutions.
Over the last 30 years, Aquastore tanks have proven to provide the highest lifetime value in the market thanks to features like:
Glass-fused-to-steel solutions from Aquastore are some of the easiest tanks to install and to maintain, no matter the application.
Choosing a liquid storage tank should be easy, right? It’s a tank that holds liquid. How much difference could there really be? The truth is, there are pros and cons to all types of tanks, and the only way to choose the best product is to weigh those pros and cons against your needs. Let’s examine two of the most popular tanks, the epoxy-coated Columbian TecTank® and the glass-fused-to-steel Aquastore,® to determine which might be right for your application.
The biggest advantage to choosing an epoxy TecTank® is budget. If you are limited in what you can spend or are willing to spend, these tanks are often the best choice and have a wide variety of applications. They are often ideal for small capacity tanks, as well, because they provide a significant cost advantage over other materials.
The biggest disadvantage to choosing TecTank® is longevity. In many applications, the tank will most likely need to be replaced in 20 years. For leachate tanks and wastewater tanks, the lifespan can be much shorter.
Some utilities and businesses have had poor experiences with TecTank® in the past. However, in more recent years, the technology has evolved to include thicker steel, fewer penetration points and an optimized bolt pattern designed to address some previous weaknesses and customer concerns. TecTanks® can also be expanded, if necessary, as storage capacity requirements change over the years. Though given their shorter lifespan, this option isn’t always the most cost-effective over the life of a tank.
Aquastore® glass-fused-to-steel (GFS) tanks have become extremely popular for their durability and long life. The fused coating is ideal for any application but they are particularly effective at holding aggressive liquids like wastewater and landfill leachate, because the coating withstands the chemical attacks that can damage and deteriorate other types of tanks. GFS tanks never need to be repainted, and regardless of what is stored inside, they can be cleaned with a power washer and require very little maintenance. Like TecTank®, Aquastore® tanks can also be expanded to meet changing needs over time.
The number one drawback of Aquastore® tanks is price. They can be significantly more expensive than epoxy tanks, and the upfront costs can be out of reach for many business and utilities. However, it is worth exploring the total cost of ownership over the life of the tank, as maintenance costs are much lower with a GFS and they do not need to be replaced as often.
There is no universal “right” tank. Before looking into various tank options, assess your business’ needs, budget and compliance requirements. Tanks are always evolving, so it’s important to get the most up-to-date information—the more details you can gather, the better. Once these specifications are outlined, a reliable partner can help you choose the best materials and find a solution that works for your needs.
Today’s regulatory environment can be a jungle to navigate. The EPA, state and local regulations are always changing and keeping up with compliance can feel like running on a hamster wheel. But you’ve got to do it, or face steep fines and severe public backlash. Violating the Clean Water Act can lead to daily penalties ranging from $2,500 per day to $25,000 per day for a first offense. Repeat offenders, even if those offenses are unintentional, can face fines of $50,000 per day as well as confinement in federal prison. Here are some essential tips to help protect you and your profit margins.
The Environmental Protection Agency was established in , nearly 11 months after President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act. According to the EPA website, the agency was developed “in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution…to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection.”
In the Clean Water Act was established to, “restore and maintain our nation’s waters by preventing pollution, providing assistance to publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities, and maintaining the integrity of wetlands.” The EPA sets national environmental policy, including policy on water, and it is up to state and local governments to enforce those policies.
Some penalties are small, but others can be crippling. In , The Yuengling Brewing Company was accused of polluting Pennsylvania waterways and had to pay $3M in fines on top of making $8M in improvements to its wastewater pretreatment system. In , Southern Coal was forced to pay $5M in fines plus improvements, and a sugar beet company in Minnesota had to pay $6M plus the costs of improvements.
It can be argued whether there was intent, negligence or failure to keep up with rapidly-changing regulations in any of these cases – or the hundreds of other cases lodged against US companies each year – but the fact of the matter is that it’s just good business to keep yourself on the right side of regulations at all times.
Rules are typically established two to three years before they go into effect so that companies can make the necessary adjustments to ensure compliance. Nobody expects a plant to make improvements that can cost millions in only a few weeks’ time. That means that engineers and staff must always be looking ahead and getting ready for new rules coming down the pike, because the government provides (what they believe to be) ample time to rectify.
The partners you choose to work with when repairing water treatment systems and storage tanks as well as when it comes to building and maintaining them can make a world of difference in compliance practices. Proactive partners can keep you from spending money on features and processes that could put you out of compliance, and they can provide you with timely, gentle reminders of the aspects of your system that may need to be upgraded before new rules take effect.
Not only do you have to know the rules, but you’ve got to know how your system is functioning at all times so that you can react quickly to potential issues. Annual inspections can save you a lot of money and bad press in the future. A proactive inspection can alert you to any potential issues, or future potential issues that could impact your compliance. These inspections are required by law, but it’s a good idea to work with a company that uses a proactive approach to create a plan for addressing future issues rather than just checking a completion box.
Repairing small issues when they arise, rather than putting them off can also help prepare for long-term compliance. Large mechanical or structural problems can lead to major issues that throw off the balance of the system, and fixing those issues can involve lengthy exercises in trial and error.
The EPA isn’t going anywhere so don’t try to resist. A little education in combination with a proactive approach is the most effective way to stay compliant—thus, protecting your profits and your standing in the community in which you conduct business.
Water storage tank companies often make the same claims about service, price, and results. Weighing one vendor against another can be a tedious process, but the wrong choice could lead to spending more than you wanted, using materials that don’t last, or just feeling wholly unsatisfied with the results. Here are five critical questions you should ask any potential water storage tank vendor before signing on the dotted line.
Experience and past success is the best indicator of future success. A company that is just getting started may be a market leader in 15 years, but what matters to you is finding the best company today. Choose a vendor that has been in the water storage tank business for at least 10 years. If a group has made it a decade in the water storage tank industry, it’s a good sign they are doing something right.
Years of experience are important, but those years should ideally have been spent working on projects of similar size, scope and function to your own. You don’t want to be a company’s first foray into a certain project type.
Make sure that any relevant installations were completed under their own business name. Sometimes businesses are tempted to cite their suppliers’ histories or their partners’ experience in an attempt to appear like an expert when their own portfolio is a little thin.
A good rule of thumb to evaluate a tank vendor’s work history and installation history is to look for a successful track record of at least 10 years with a minimum of 100 installations per year. Frequency does matter. Think of it as a baseball stat. You can’t attribute a hitter as having an .800 average if he’s only had five at-bats in his career. Look at the full historical picture as you make you evaluation.
You can infer a lot about a potential contractor based on bond capacity. The amount that a company can be bonded for shows that they have the financial capacity to ensure their performance as a contractor. Bond requirements vary by state, but there are several factors that determine bond capacity, including:
The company is the world’s best Glass-Fused-to-Steel Tank supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Bond capacity is similar to a credit limit. A strong bond capacity offers reassurance knowing it will be there if/when they need it because they have a long history of success and financial solvency.
It is important to know a contractor’s bond capacity for another reason: licensure. To get bonded, a company must be licensed in the state they are doing business. A bond is a guarantee that the contractor knows and will follow the rules of the license.
Some contractors bid work outside their home-base state and wait to apply for a license and bond until after they land a job. Bid law states that you must have the license before submitting a proposal, so you want to be careful that you are hiring someone on the right side of the law. If you want to protect your investment, look for the bond and license upfront.
The answers to the questions above won’t tell the whole story. Clients are well within their rights to ask for “proof” of the claims that contractors make in their bids.
First and foremost, ask for references. Those references should preferably be from companies with jobs like your own. You can also ask for other types of financial proof that indicates solvency like proof of revenue in the form of a tax return. Avoid contractors that refuse to have these discussions or provide you with the details you need.
Last, but certainly not least, ask potential tank contractors whether or not they do their own concrete work. Why? This line item can drive up your bid and slow down your timeline if they must use a subcontractor or if they require you to hire the concrete team yourself. It may seem like a small detail, but it can make a huge difference in your project.
When you take the time to evaluate tank contractors in advance, and when you consider more than just price, you increase the chances of a successful project that meets your expectations. Make sure to ask these questions – and any others you feel are important – before you sign with any potential water storage tank vendor.
Maintenance. It’s nobody’s favorite subject, but it’s critical to keep the tank functioning optimally. The tank maintenance industry is relatively new – but already the industry has experienced some drastic ups and downs. This article explores the history of tank maintenance contracts – and delves into the advantages of tank management funds, which can be a great solution for tank owners who are unhappy with their current maintenance agreements.
Tank maintenance contracts are fairly new to the industry – they really only started to appear in the s; and at the time, they were a godsend.
Before them, two large problems plagued the tank industry: bad financial management and failing infrastructure. Paying for potable water and wastewater tank maintenance were difficult to prioritize in resource allocation, particularly for small utilities where budgets were tight. Many of these utilities operated on wire-thin margins. They existed for the public good, and simply couldn’t raise rates or gain new customers. This cycle of non-profitability created scenarios where, with too much debt on their hands, the utilities couldn’t borrow any more money to maintain their tanks – which meant many were brought to the point of failure. In some extreme examples, communities would wait for its tank to collapse so that they could then could apply for emergency government funding.
But in the mid-80s, a method was introduced that allowed small utilities to finance their tank maintenance, spreading out the cost over a 10-year period and paying in installments. This solution revolutionized the industry because the utilities could still have their tanks maintained, without taking on new debt. This was the birth of the maintenance contract industry.
As it so often happens with many great new ideas, the maintenance contract market quickly became saturated causing competition to rise, prices to plummet, and the quality to spiral downward. Low prices were great for utilities but bad for the companies selling the plans – they didn’t factor in the rise in the cost of living, the cost of materials, etc. It didn’t take long for contract providers to realize that they weren’t taking in enough money to turn a profit on the work.
To address this lack of profit, some maintenance companies began designing contracts that benefited them, the provider, not the tank owner. The language was written in a way that allowed the service company to determine whether the tanks got painted and maintained. Sometimes, those companies collected the money but never provided the agreed-upon work, especially as tanks began to age.
The industry found itself at a crossroads and this led to the development of tank management funds. Rather than paying a yearly installment for contract maintenance, utilities can put that money into a fund that they manage; they remain in charge of their own finances. An assigned third-party asset manager oversees how and when that money is spent on maintaining and repairing the tank. That asset manager solicits bids, vets potential contractors and ensures that the work is completed by trustworthy companies for a fair price in a reasonable timeframe. The asset manager forecasts future costs so tank owners can plan ahead. Now, tank owners can invest their own money, are guaranteed maintenance at a fair price, and turn to their asset manager with one call when a need arises.
With tank management funds, the benefits to utilities are simple. The company stays in charge of its finances, reduces debt loads, enables them to pay only for the service they need and receive. Plus, they can manage costs by calling for bids, rather than putting their trust in one company to handle the work. Tank management funds ensure the right work gets done, at the right time and for the right price.
Glass-fused-to-steel storage tanks (GFS) are a reliable and durable storage solution. Phillips Tank & Structure (PTS) specializes in the installation and repair of glass-fused storage tank systems in the United States, its territories, and the Pacific Island nations. With a focus on engineering excellence, PTS works closely with clients to deliver tailored storage solutions that meet their unique needs.
Glass-fused bolted water tanks have become increasingly popular in recent years because they offer a superior solution for liquid storage. These tanks are designed to store potable water, provide fire protection, and meet the storage needs of various industries. The glass-fused coating provides excellent corrosion resistance, making these tanks suitable for storing a wide range of substances.
Glass-fused bolted water tanks are storage tanks that feature a glass-fused coating on the interior and exterior of the tank. The tank itself is made of bolted steel panels, which are assembled on-site. The glass-fused coating, created by fusing glass enamel to the steel panels at a high temperature, is applied to the steel panels, providing a smooth and durable surface that is resistant to corrosion. These tanks are designed to meet industry standards for liquid storage and can be customized to meet specific storage needs. They are available in various sizes and configurations, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including potable water storage, fire protection, industrial storage, and wastewater storage.
GFS bolted water tanks typically have an aluminum geodesic dome or bolted steel roof. Bolted tanks provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for storing large volumes of water and ensuring a steady supply to communities. The glass-fused coating on steel tanks ensures the water remains clean and free from contamination, meeting the high standards required for municipal water storage. With their durability and corrosion resistance, Glass-Fused Bolted Tanks offer a long-term solution for municipal water storage needs.
The glass-fused coating provides excellent corrosion resistance, ensuring the integrity of the tank and preventing leaks or contamination when in use for industrial applications like the storage of chemicals and wastewater treatments. Glass-fused-to-steel tanks are also suitable as dry bulk storage silos for grain storage, cement, or minerals. The tanks can be customized to meet the specific requirements of the material being stored, providing a secure and efficient storage solution. Whether it's for chemical storage or dry bulk storage, Glass-Fused Bolted Tanks offer the durability, corrosion resistance, and customization options needed for industrial storage applications.
At PTS we “Lead with Engineering.” Because no two tank projects are alike, our industry-leading Engineering Group custom designs each tank to meet the needs of the application. A wide range of accessories are available to meet the needs of your facility, such as roof hatches, gauging, temperature probes, nozzles, tank access ladders, and platforms. The manufacturing process begins with the fabrication of the bolted steel panels, which are coated with a glass enamel in a high-temperature fusion process.
The glass enamel coating is chemically inert, and provides excellent resistance to chemicals, UV rays, and harsh environmental conditions. The glass-fused coating also creates a smooth surface that is easy to clean. By combining the strength of the bolted steel panels with the durability of the glass coating, glass-fused bolted tanks are able to withstand the test of time and provide reliable storage for various liquids. The glass-fused technology ensures that these tanks can perform optimally in different environments, making them a durable and long-lasting choice.
The installation of bolted tanks steel begins with the preparation of the site and the construction of a stable foundation for the tank. Construction of glass-fused bolted tanks have a strong safety record due to the storage tank panels being assembled at ground level and jacked upwards as they are completed.
The foundation must be able to support the weight of the tank and the stored liquid. Typically, a short ring with bolting holes is embedded into the concrete foundation.
Visual inspections are conducted to assess the site and ensure that it is suitable for tank installation. The site should be free from any obstructions or hazards that could interfere with the installation process or compromise the tank's integrity.
Assembling bolted storage tanks involves a step-by-step process that requires skilled construction crews with experience in bolted tank installation. Here is a guide to the assembly process:
Foundation Construction: Ensure that the foundation is installed according to industry standards and guidelines. Conduct visual inspections to confirm the suitability of the site for tank installation.
Panel Delivery: Deliver the tank panels to the site. Panels are typically delivered flat and are easily transported.
Panel Assembly: Construction crews carefully align the panels and tighten the bolts to ensure a secure and watertight assembly.
Roof or Dome Installation: Install the bolted roof or aluminum geodesic dome if applicable.
Internal and External Components: Install any necessary internal and external components, such as manholes, nozzles, and valves. These components must be properly installed and tested to ensure their functionality.
Leak Testing: Conduct a visual inspection of the tank and fill it with water to check for any leaks. This step ensures that the tank is safe and ready for use.
Throughout the assembly process, construction crews follow industry standards and guidelines to ensure a successful and safe installation. The expertise and experience of these crews contribute to the reliability and durability of Glass-Fused Bolted Tanks.
Glass-fused bolted tanks are known for their superior quality and durability.
To maximize the lifespan of your glass-fused bolted tank, it is crucial to prioritize maintenance and proper care. The corrosion resistance of the glass enamel helps prevent damage and extends their lifespan. Regular visual inspections and maintenance checks should be conducted to identify any signs of corrosion or damage.
In addition to routine maintenance, it is important to follow best practices for tank usage. Avoid storing materials that could potentially cause damage to the enamel coating. Proper cleaning and maintenance procedures should also be followed to prevent the buildup of sediment or other contaminants.