Project Spotlight: Saratoga County Department of Public Works

H2M, a leader in the water storage tank design and rehabilitation, was selected to engineer and oversee the rehabilitation of Saratoga County’s 100,000 gallon pedesphere elevated water storage tank.

The original construction date of the tank is unknown, making this unique and challenging from the start.  What is known is that it was constructed elsewhere and utilized for some period of time, dismantled, transported to Saratoga County, and reconstructed in 1987 at its current location.

The rehabilitation includes a full interior and exterior blast and paint in accordance with the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) preparation and painting standards.  A careful selection, specification, and applicable oversight of the surface preparation and coatings application process maximizes tank life while also providing safe potable water to the public.   The rehabilitation also includes miscellaneous tank upgrades such as new ladders, electrical equipment brackets, and a new roof vent. Additionally, the water inlet pipe, as it enters the water storage cavity of the tank, developed a significant leak due to original weld failures; as a result, a section of the tank belly and inlet pipe interface will be removed and replaced.

The facility receives potable water from the Village of Ballston Spa where it then pumps to the elevated tank.  The tank then provides the appropriate pressure and supply to the buildings operated within the service area, as well as the required fire flow.  There are several onsite facilities being served by the elevated tank, including a County Animal Shelter, County Jail, Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Administration building, DPW garage, DPW Mack Shack, a DPW wash bay, fire training center, and the new 64,000 square foot County Public Safety Facility designed by H2M.

While the elevated tank is out of service, a temporary pressure system has to be installed that will be able to provide average flow rates required within the facility that will be able to mimic the pressure typically created by the elevated water storage tank.

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