Potable water Diver with communications mask & redundant air

While some water utility operators prefer to have their tanks inspected by Certified divers others prefer the safer method of using an underwater camera or remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Video Ray Remotely Operated Vehicle

It is true the diver can deliver a more detailed inspection, it is also true that is usually at a much higher cost both in money and risk to human life.  The diver needs at least two tenders to safely enter a confined space, while a field technician with an underwater camera sends his camera into harms way.   Our company employs all three methods each has its advantage and disadvantage.  The remote camera is by far our most popular way to inspect water storage towers, due in great part to the low cost.

The remote underwater camera gives you a lot of information for the money, allowing you to see a good portion if not all of the intirior roof and floor area of most tanks and towers under 500,000 gallons.  Our next step up from the Remote Camera is a Remotely Controlled Vehicle (ROV).  This is a unit that has an underwater camera and motors with props that allow it to go to the rear of large tanks or look a a specific point.  Be carful with deceptive contractors that try to pass off a remote underwater camera as an ROV saying it stands for Remotely Operated Video.

Both the remote underwater camera and the ROV put the equipment not the person into the confined space containing potable water.  The diver inspection requires a much larger operation.  The diver can use a remotely controlled underwater video system that is being viewed and recorded by the top side dive team or he can use a diver held camera that is actually a camcorder in an underwater housing.  All the equipment he is using and wearing should be purchased for and only used in potable water.  When selecting a ROV or diving contractor you should do your homework.  Check out their main web site and see what kind of work they are promoting. If the Web site is focused on off shore activities, the company may only be working in potable water as a sideline. Further investigation may show them using the exact same identifiable  gear in potable water storage tanks that they use in muddy canals or even waste water.  A little online research will go a long way when you want to determine who to trust the safety of your water system to.  Microbiological contamination is a real concern when allowing access to your potable water storage tanks.  For more information on bacteria and other contaminants visit my Water Project blog at www.ronperrin.us  scroll down to the contaminate article or watch the bacteria reproduction video.

Tower Inspector

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Visit our web site: Ron Perrin Water Technology Web Site

Visit our Blog:  Ron Perrin Water Technologies BLOG

For an Application follow the link near the bottom of this page :  Employment Page

Looking for something with a few more thrills? Need more Danger in your life? Check this out:

We found this online –  Atomic Divers Wanted (not our gig)

but we try,  check out the video:

Diver entering water storage tank

Ron Perrin Water Technologies, Fort Worth Texas   visit  www.ronperrin.com

For an inspection or cleaning quote please call 888-481-1768

Want a list of contaminates commonly found in water systems?  Visit  www.ronperrin.us

Our custom made underwater cameras set us apart from the competition.  We inspect potable water storage tanks in Texas to meet TCEQ guidelines with NO WATER LOSS and No Disruption in service.  I wrote the book on Inspecting & Cleaning Potable Water Storage !

We have the most choices to inspect your water storage tanks & towers.  Our custom made cameras are the low cost favorite, next is our Remotely operated vehicle (ROV), after that we have a dive team available for the best inspection possible.  We also offer the best method for cleaning your tank.

Our qualified and experienced dive team will do the Job right.

Read more about these methods of inspection & cleaning in my new book

“Inspecting & Cleaning Potable Water Storage”  By Ron Perrin

Bacteria, protazoa and even viruses can find the sediment in the floor of a water storage tank an inviting habitat. The sediment can allow many microbiological contaminates to get a foothold in your system, grow and create a larger problem. The EPA has determined that microbiological growth in distribution systems is a threat to public health.

If you cant get your supervisors, directors or council members to look at this web site, now you can order the book and put it in their hands.

These photos make the case- Inspecting & Cleaning Public water supplies should be a top priority.

	INSPECTING & CLEANING POTABLE WATER STORAGE By: Ron Perrin ISBN: 1-4415-3244-7 (Picture Book ) ISBN13: 978-1-4415-3244-2 (Picture Book ) Understand why inspecting and cleaning public water storage is important to public health.    Color photos of sediment being removed from water storage tanks and towers.

Click here to order the book:

Buy the book Click Here

Why is de-watering a nightmare?  Once a water storage facility is drained, the loose sediment begins to dry and harden.  Multiple inches of sediment that had been is a semi- liquid state and could easily be removed by a dive team, may be reduced to less than a ½ inch of hard, clay like buildup that must be scraped from the floor of the tank.  The painted surface of the tank floor is better off if the sediment is removed before it is allowed to dry and get hard.

The best method for cleaning your tank is to use a qualified and experienced dive team.

 Removes all loose sediment

 Will not damage tank

Little if any down time, because the water is not drained the tank goes back in service quick

Small tanks can be cleaned in hours instead of days.  Large tanks can be cleaned in days instead of weeks.

Once underwater, the diver carefully works off the ladder to clean a spot to stand.

He then works slowly outward from that spot, careful not to stir up the sediment and Crate turbidity.  This is one of the big differences between a professional tank cleaning crew and a commercial dive crew that has been trained to work offshore.  They tend to throw everything they need into the tank, and once the sediment is disturbed, it becomes a big cloud in the water. This turbidity has a negative effect on the water system.  The dirty/cloudy water can then get into the system causing complaints.  In addition to that, the tank can never really be cleaned on that day because the sediment that is suspended in the water causing the cloudy and high turbidity condition will eventually settle down to be another layer of sediment on the floor of the tank.  There is an art to cleaning a potable water storage tank without creating turbidity. 

This is from Chapter 8 of my new  Book-

“ Inspecting & Cleaning Potable Water Storage”

 available now at www.xlibris.com/bookstore

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.    

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. 

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

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.