Storage tanks can cost up to 6% of the total value of a City's water treatment and distribution
system. For a City serving a population in excess of 1,000,000 the value of the tanks at current
replacement value can be as high as $100,000,000. The value of the tanks and their importance to
the system justifies a proactive maintenance management program. The City of Houston, Texas,
developed such a program and implemented it in 1987. Prior to 1987, the City tank
maintenance management program consisted of performing maintenance on tanks on an as-needed
basis since funds were not available to provide for a formal maintenance program. The upgrade
program is estimated to cost $75,000,000 and will ultimately provide for the cleaning, inspection and
rehabilitation of approximately 225 water storage tanks in the City of Houston water system. The
tanks range in size from 25,000 gallons to 12.5 million gallons. Since 1987, when the program
started, 125 tanks have been rehabilitated and or replaced as part of this program at a cost of $50
million. This paper discusses the City of Houston's tank maintenance management program which consists of the following elements:
developing the tank inventory; developing program schedule/budget; developing a scope of work;
performing tank evaluations; rehabilitation/replacement decision; preparation of plans and bid documents;
inspection and construction management; and, one-year warranty inspection. Includes tables.