Mechanicsburg company plans new tanks to protect water quality

Plans to rehabilitate eight water storage tanks and construct five new tanks were announced Thursday by the Pennsylvania American Water company.

The Mechanicsburg-based company’s rehab program of inspecting, sandblasting, and repainting tanks is expected to cost approximately $17.5 million and will help protect water quality and extend the tank’s service lives. 

Bruce Aiton, vice president of engineering at Pennsylvania American Water, said storage tanks help provide suitable water pressure for communities and storage reserves for fire protection. 

“Protectively maintaining and rehabilitating tanks where there are opportunities to do so provides cost benefits to our customers,” Aiton said in a statement, “and building new tanks helps provide additional capacity for community growth and system resiliency.” 

Pennsylvania American Water will rehabilitate and repaint ground storage tanks this year in several municipalities, including Swatara Township in Dauphin County and Fairview Township in York County.

Pennsylvania American Water crews will rehabilitate the tanks by striping original paint and apply a new coating, the latter serving as a protective barrier that prevents steel from rusting and impacting water quality. Customers should not experience impacts on their water service during construction.

Five new ground storage tanks will also be constructed in multiple municipalities, including Walker Township in Schuylkill County, to provide additional water storage capacity. This construction will help Pennsylvania American Water continue to deliver water service to meet customer demand and provide fire protection.