In-Service Cleaning of Potable Water Storage Tanks

 

Photo: Sediment being removed from Potable Water Storage Tank.

        The American Water Works Association recommends that tanks be cleaned at least every three years.  Recent focus on pharmaceuticals in water systems have made more people than ever aware of contaminates that may be lurking in their water supply.   Although pharmaceuticals in drinking water may be in the news the real threat is random bacteria and cryptosporidium spores.

The Threat of Bacteria-

Countless kinds of bacteria can make their way into a public water supply.  Chlorine and other treatment methods are our first line of defense.  When potable water storage tanks are clean small amounts of bacteria that survive the treatment process cycle through the system undetected and harmless due to the small quantity.  Sediment in the tank can capture and harbor these small amounts of bacteria.  The bacteria can start to grow hidden from chlorine deep in the sediment.  Chlorine can even be overwhelmed and depleted if a nitrate eating bacteria is collected.   As the bacteria continues to grow in the sediment month after month and year after year the threat to public health grows.       

  The Threat of Cryptosporidium

The threat of cryptosporidium outbreak is even greater with sediment in the floor of a water storage tank.   Again Sediment can harbor bacteria, cryptosporidium and other contaminates.  The best defense to insure a protozoa like  cryptosporidium will not take up residence in your water storage system may be to keep the tanks free of sediment.  In the Spring of 1993 over 100 people died as a result of a cryptosporidium outbreak that was directly associated with the Howard Avenue Water Purification Plant.  This was the largest water born disease ever documented in United States history.  It is estimated that over 400,000 people became ill with diarrhea.  

Due to the fact that cryptosporidium is a protozoa parasite with a thick outer shell it is highly resistant to disinfectants such as chlorine.  The best defense to ensure it will not inhabit your water system may be to make sure your water tanks remain sediment free.  This will remove and habitat that small amounts bacteria or protozoa could lodge and grow in, Preventing possible public health problem in the most simple way.  Keeping water storage tanks clean.    

Currently Seeking Diver Trainees & Sales Help

Commercially certified divers should send a resume including past salary and current salary requirements.   Fax resume to 817-246-1740.

NEW TRAINEES  Must have SCUBA diving certification before starting.  Pay for Training period will be at a rate of $80.00 per day for at least 30days.  IF YOU CANT LIVE ON $80.00 a day to start do not apply. This position is M-F and requires out of town paid travel several times per month.

Sales positions must be willing to make calls & work trade shows.  Requires out of town paid travel several times a year.

All positions require a good driving history.  DRUG SCREENING IS REQUIRED.

We are working to make RON PERRIN WATER TECHNOLOGIES the most dependable company in the potable water industry.  Our people make the diffrence.  Cleaning and inspecting water storage tanks is what we do.  If you feel like you meet our qualifications fax your resume to:      817-246-1740 or download an application from our web site http://www.ronperrin.com/employment.htm  For additional information call 817-377-4899. 

Health risk of sediment build up in tanks-

Yearly inspections of your potable water storage tanks is the best way to keep up with the sediment levels in your tank.   A good inspection of a potable water storage tank should allow the customer (the water Utility) to see the floor of the facility.  Using a Remote video camera or diver held camera the inspection often reveals 2 to 3 inches of sediment and sometimes much more. Keeping your water storage tanks clean may be one of the most overlooked maintenance procedures in the water industry.  Out of sight and out of mind, sediment in the bottom of your water storage tanks is never seen and rarely thought of.   The sediment that builds up in almost all potable water tanks can be a habitat for bacteria and other contaminates.  Bacteria can get a foothold in the sediment  out of reach of the chlorine entering the tank. Hidden in the sediment the bacteria can then grow and flourish creating a health risk. A nitrate eating bacteria can even deplete your chlorine levels leaving you at even greater risk. Removing the sediment and keeping your tank clean is the best way to maintain a healthy water system.  Divers wearing a dry suit are sealed in their own environment, they are then washed down with a chlorine solution meeting all State and AWWA requirements.  The divers may then enter the water system and vacuum out the sediment.  Everything that is loose is removed, allowing the chlorine or other treatment chemicals entering the tank to effectively do its job. This is a much more effective method than the traditional buckets and shovels.  We are able to remove ALL loose sediment without scraping shovels on painted surfaces.  In addition thereIs minimum water loss with our method, you do not need to DRAIN YOUR TANKS.         Call today to learn how we can save you water, time and money while helping you maintain the healthiest water system possible.

1-888-481-1768        Visit  www.ronperrin.com  

New Diver Trainees & Experienced Divers Needed!

We Need New Diver Trainees & Experienced Divers! 

OPEN WATER SCUBA CERTIFICATION REQUIRED for Trainee Position.

$80.00 a day paid training.  Commercially certified divers should send a resume including past salary and current salary requirements. 

NEW TRAINEES will be at a rate of $80.00 per day for at least 30days.  IF YOU CANT LIVE ON $80.00 a day to start do not apply.  

We are working to make RON PERRIN WATER TECHNOLOGIES the most dependable company in the potable water industry.  Our people make the diffrence.  Cleaning and inspecting water storage tanks is what we do.  If you feel like you meet our qualifications fax your resume to:      817-246-1740 or download an application from our web site http://www.ronperrin.com/employment.htm  For additional information call 817-377-4899. 

Were GOING GREEN!

Of course from day one Ron Perrin Water Technologies has been a GREEN COMPANY our business is saving your treated potable water with in service tank and tower inspections.  Now, you can save some green too.  We are offering big discounts to receive your written reports on DISK rather than on the recycled bright white paper we have been using.  This saves us time, saves the environment paper & ink and we pass our savings on to you.  Our future reports will include both the written reports with digital photos and the underwater video on a DVD.  For a sample look at our underwater video quality click here to see some raw video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwYYeHNviGI also check out our web site at www.ronperrin.com .

Do you have a WATER IQ?

Visit the home page for “Water IQ: Know Your Water” — the campaign that educates utility customers and businesses about their water sources and provides simple tips on how to be more efficient with water. The rapid population growth in Texas, booming economic development and—for many parts of Texas—the worst drought in 50 years means water is in greater demand than ever before. As consumers, we need to use our limited water supplies efficiently no matter how much it rains.The good news is it doesn’t take much effort. If everyone does their part, we can make our water last.Go to http://www.wateriq.org/ or  http://www.wateriq.org/about.php

Our Company Service & Current Service Area

Ron Perrin Water Technologies online newsletter is open to anyone who wants to know more about the inspection and cleaning of potable water tanks and towers (drinking water).  Our goal is to allow utility officials to understand all of the choices they have when it comes to Inspecting and cleaning potable water storage tanks and towers. 

Our American owned, Texas based company offers Remote camera, ROV camera and Advanced Commercial Diving Services to the Northeast, Southeastern, Midwest and Southwest states. Although we are not an Engineering company we often ware contracted by Engineering & consulting firms to provide underwater services in the U.S. Our advanced diving and inspection services have been contracted in 5 states in the U.S. and we have done one International job to date in Mexico.  Our state of the art potable water tank inspection methods deliver the most information for the least cost.  When our inspection reveals high sediment levels our advanced potable water cleaning service removes sediment while it remains in a simi liquid form.  These underwater services save treated drinking water and allowing our customers to maintain the healthyest water system possible.  Call us for a free quote today, toll free at 1-888-481-1768 or visit our web site at www.ronperrin.com

ROV or REMOTE UNDERWATER CAMERA

Underwater Remote Camera or Remotely Controlled Vehicle?  What is the difference? There is a lot.  the Remote Underwater  camera is much smaller.  In the photo above the inspector prepares to use a Remote Underwater Camera to inspect a water storage tower in west Texas.   These cameras can easily be operated by one person allowing him to see the interior of the tank.  The camera is used to record the interior roof conditions and then is lowered into the potable water system to see the underwater areas and floor of the tank. The image can then be recorded on tape or DVD.  We have developed this inspection to give you the most information for the lowest cost.  We have over 200 customers who depend on our inspection to deliver the information they need about their water storage tanks at a price they can afford. This is a great tool for standpipes and elevated storage towers allowing administrators to see most if not all of the floor area of the tank.  This camera may be used in any sized tank to give you an idea of what is going on in your system.

The Remotely Operated Vehicle is a larger unit pictured below.  It has the ability to swim through the tank, propelled by props in the rear and top.  This ROV unit can be used in larger Ground tanks when a look at the entire floor area of the rear of the tank is needed.   The ROV is equipped with food grade seals to be safe for use in potable water.  Both the ROV and Remote Underwater Camera are washed down with a 200ppm chlorine solution to meet AWWA standards.  In addition to being able to these underwater cameras our inspections also include digital photos of all inspection points.  This type of report allows the water utility administrators to have a better understanding of paint conditions and sediment levels.   Read more about our methods on my Drinking Water Blog here at wordpress, www.ronperrin.wordpress.com

Divers are available for the most detailed inspection and can also be used to set plugs for valve changes, tank cleanings & other services see our other web sites for more information www.ronperrin.com or www.tankdiver.us our toll free phone number is 888-481-1768.  

Remote Camera Inspections deliver the most Information for the Least Cost!

 Many states now require YEARLY Inspections. In Texas,  TCEQ Rule 290.46 Subchapter D (m) (1) states that “Each of the system’s, ground Elevated and pressure tank’s shall be inspected annually by the water system personnel or a contracted inspection service”. We are celebrating our 10^th year of serving Texas Water Utility Systems.  Our inspections are the best in the industry. We now offer our largest choice of inspections all cover state requirements with NO DISRUPTION IN YOUR WATER SYSTEM!  UNDERWATER CAMERA Inspections determine if you have sediment, insects, birds or other contaminates in your storage tank (available with or without video recording).  THE MOST INFORMATION for THE LEAST COST  to insure the HEALTH of your Water System!  Our inspection methods have been developed over 10 years with thousands of tanks inspected, and millions of gallons of fresh drinking water saved.

Video Ray ROV available for potable water storage tank inspection

The VIDEO RAY ROV is an excellent inspection tool for large water storage facilities. The remotely controlled unit is able to move throughout the facility to get a good look at all interior conditions.Ron Perrin Water Technologies has specialized in water storage tank inspection since 1997.  We use digital cameras to capture photos of outside inspection points & underwater video with the VIDEO RAY ROV to give the most complete report in the industry at a very competitive price.  For a free quote call Ron Perrin Water Technologies  at toll free at 888-481-1768.