Vancouver Water Tower 5 - Interior Rehabilitation Project Profile

Project Overview

Vancouver Water Tower 5 represents a successful interior rehabilitation of a critical municipal water storage facility. This elevated reservoir, standing 125 feet above ground with a 73-foot diameter and 40-foot height, serves the community with a substantial 0.75 million gallon capacity. Originally constructed in 1955, this infrastructure asset required comprehensive interior coating renewal to ensure continued reliable service.

Project Specifications

Structure Details:

• Elevated water tower at 125 feet
• Tank dimensions: 73' diameter × 40' height
• Storage capacity: 0.75 million gallons
• Original construction: 1955
• Previous coating application: 1985 (two-coat epoxy system with full blast preparation)

Project Challenges

The rehabilitation presented significant logistical and environmental challenges that required careful planning and execution. Working at elevated heights of 125 feet demanded specialized access equipment and safety protocols throughout the project duration. The Pacific Northwest's harsh winter weather conditions created additional complexity, as the project team worked through January to April during some of the region's most severe weather. Near-freezing temperatures tested both material performance and application techniques, requiring adapted procedures to maintain coating quality and worker safety.

Tnemec Coating System Solution

Tnemec provided a comprehensive four-coat interior protection system designed for potable water service:

Prime Coat: Tnemec Series 94H20 Hydro-Zinc at 2.5-3.5 mils DFT provided corrosion-resistant foundation protection with zinc-rich primer technology.

Stripe Coat: Tnemec Series N140 Pota-Pox Plus at 2.0-4.0 mils DFT ensured complete coverage of all edges, welds, and complex geometry areas.

Intermediate Coat: Tnemec Series 21 Epoxoline at 6.0-8.0 mils DFT delivered the primary barrier protection with proven epoxy chemistry.

Finish Coat: Tnemec Series 21 Epoxoline at 6.0-8.0 mils DFT provided the final protective layer and smooth, cleanable surface for potable water contact.

System Performance Specifications

The complete Tnemec coating system achieved optimal protection thickness across all interior surfaces:

• Welds and irregular surfaces: 16.5-23.5 mils total system thickness
• General interior surfaces: 14.5-19.5 mils total system thickness

This multi-coat system ensures long-term corrosion protection while meeting strict potable water quality standards, providing the municipality with a reliable coating solution designed to extend the service life of this critical infrastructure asset.

Project Team and Execution

FD Thomas served as the painting contractor for this complex rehabilitation project, bringing specialized expertise in elevated water tank coating applications. Their experience with high-altitude work and challenging environmental conditions proved essential to the project's success, particularly given the harsh Pacific Northwest winter weather and 125-foot working height requirements.

Project Success

The collaboration between Tnemec's advanced coating technology and FD Thomas's specialized application expertise resulted in a successful rehabilitation despite challenging environmental conditions and complex access requirements. This partnership demonstrates how proper material selection combined with experienced contractor execution can overcome significant project obstacles. The Vancouver Water Tower 5 project showcases successful coordination between high-performance coating systems, specialized application techniques, and weather-adaptive construction practices to achieve superior results in demanding conditions.