Water Tank Inspection

October 14, 2022 by Ron Perrin

One of the most important things a water utility can do is an annual water tank inspection on all potable water storage tanks in the system including both ground and elevated storage. Without proper inspections, the tanks often go out-of-sight and out-of-mind. Inspection should include all AWWA inspection points and a good look at the interior. The traditional way to do this is to remove the tank from service and drain the water. This is extremely labor intensive and often requires smaller communities to be without water for an extended period of time.

Custom water tank underwater inspection camera and lighting system.

Water tank inspection contractors often use a remote underwater camera, a remotely operated underwater vehicle, or a commercial diver to perform this task. Following AWWA guidelines all equipment is washed down with a 200ppm chlorine solution before entering the water system. Once inside the underwater cameras can get a good look at corrosion and sediment that may be hidden underwater. Using an inspection contractor allows the treated drinking water to stay in the tank and any disruption is reduced to a bare minimum.

In Texas, all potable water storage tanks are required to be inspected inside and out. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), mandates that under Texas Administrative code 290.46 water utilities in Texas are required to perform an annual inspection of each storage facility in their system with a utility employee or a contracted inspection service. The basic inspection form can be found here: TCEQ Tank Inspection Form.

On the form under WATER QUALITY,” the form asks if there are Insects, floating debris, or sediment on the bottom of the tank. While you may be able to see the bottom on smaller tanks, the majority would need to be drained or deploy some type of underwater camera to get a good look at the floor. Inspection contractors like Ron Perrin Water Technologies, Inc. offer some innovative tools to get inspections done with no disruption in service at all. From remotely controlled underwater cameras that can get a good look to see what is on the floor of the tank, to Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) that are able to swim to the back of a larger facility so no part of the tank has been unchecked. All of our reports include photos of every inspection point and interior photos and video. With our specially designed camera and lighting system, we are able to get a good look at the interior roof. This is a key inspection point and often has the most corrosion that we find on the facility. Our underwater camera is lowered into the tank taking a look at what is going on just under the waterline and lower wall areas. Finally, the floor comes into view and we are able to estimate sediment levels in the tank. Larger facilities often need to use the ROV to reach the back side of the tank or look at a specific area thought to have a problem.

Ron and Robert Perrin holding a DEEP TREKKER Remotely Operated Vehicle at the U.S. Coast Guard Facility on Galveston Island.

It is extremely important to monitor sediment levels in water storage tanks. Sediment can be a breeding ground for bacteria, protozoa, and even viruses. When our inspection discovers sediment is starting to build up we can document what is going on with underwater photos and video. We then include a proposal to send our potable water dive team back to remove the sediment. This can also be done with minimal water loss and no disruption in service.

Sediment is being removed from a small ground tank by a potable water diver working inside the tank.

Ron Perrin Water Technologies, Inc. has been serving the needs of water utilities since 1997. We are here to help. Give us a call for a free inspection or cleaning proposal. Our toll-free # is 1-888-481-1768; Or our local number at 817-377-4899; or email Robert at perrinsales@gmail.com.

www.ronperrin.com – Visit our other blogs: www.TexasWaterTankInspection.info and www.taptalk.blog

Working in potable water with no disruption in service.

April 26, 2022 by Ron Perrin

Our potable water dive crew is one of the best ways to keep your water storage tanks clean and healthy. The diver is sealed in his own environment and washed down with a chlorine solution to meet USEPA and state water quality standards. The diver is then able to move about the tank freely allowing him to do an inspection, clean the floor or perform other needed tasks. Check out our Facebook page to see a video of this tank being cleaned https://www.facebook.com/ronperrinwatertech.

Since 1997 we have been inspecting and cleaning water storage tanks and towers. Our methods and procedures save millions of gallons of treated drinking water every month by allowing tanks to be inspected and cleaned while they remain in service.

Our custom-built underwater camera and lighting system is one of the best values in the industry allowing tanks to be inspected inside and out with no human entry. This saves water utilities time and money while delivering an informative inspection report that exceeds state documentation standards. An annual inspection that covers the interior of the tank all the way down to the sediment levels is one of the best ways to keep up with the health of your water system. For larger tanks, we also have several Remotely Controlled Vehicles (ROVs) that we can deploy when needed. The ROV is also equipped with an underwater lighting system that has the added benefit of being able to navigate to the rear of a large tank or look at specific areas you may want to document. You can see a short video of our ROV service here: https://youtu.be/21z5nbx2-R8. If your ground or elevated storage tanks need to be cleaned our potable water dive crew is a great way to get that done with no disruption in service and minimal water loss. If you have a standpipe with a water depth deeper than 50 feet we recommend WALLIE.

Wallie is what we call our standpipe cleaning robot. Capable of working at depths of 165 feet Wallie can stay down as long as it takes to get the job done right. He is equipped with two video cameras and a lighting system to allow the operator to see what he is doing. This also allows us to record the cleaning and document the final result for our customers. You can see Wallie in action here: https://youtu.be/7bFqEW_x_fo. If you have a water storage tank please give us a call to get a free inspection or cleaning quote. Our toll-free number is: 1-888-481-1768, in the DFW area call: 817-377-4899 or e-mail Robert at perrinsales@gmail.com.

E. coli has been found in many drinking water systems, but what is it?

August 5, 2021 by Ron Perrin

Escherichia coli, commonly referred to as E. coli, is in a group of organisms known as coliforms:
common bacteria found in the digestive system of humans and animals.

There are only a few strains that cause serious disease in humans. One of these strains is responsible for causing Traveler’s diarrhea, and the second is E. coli O157:H7, which contaminates meat and leafy vegetables.

Under a high magnification of 6836X, this digitally-colorized, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image depicted a growing cluster of Gram-negative, rod-shaped, *Escherichia coli* bacteria, of the strain O157:H7, which is a pathogenic strain of *E. coli*.
Source: CDC/ National Escherichia, Shigella, Vibrio Reference Unit at CDC – Photo Credit; Janice Haney Carr 2006.

The “O157:H7” strain has caused serious hemorrhagic diarrhea and for some, long-term complications resulting in illness and even death in some cases.

The presence of E. coli is used as an indicator to monitor the possible presence of other more harmful microbes, such as Giardia, Shigella, Norovirus and the Protozoa Cryptosporidium. Diseases resulting from contact with water contaminated by E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported symptoms are diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever. When E. coli exceeds the permissible level in recreational water, it results in the closing of public swimming pools and fishing areas.

Some possible sources of fecal contamination include wildlife, agricultural runoff, or runoff from areas contaminated with livestock manure, wastewater treatment plants, or private septic systems. Heavy rain may cause organisms to be washed into waterways, lakes, or groundwater. If contaminated water is then used as a source of drinking water and is not treated, or is inadequately treated, it may result in illness.

When this contaminant makes its way into a drinking water system sediment found on the bottom of water storage tanks can provide a safe habitat. E. coli along with other bacteria and pathogens, can find shelter from disinfectants under the soft sediment that accumulates in storage tanks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list E. coli as one of the top 10 Causes of outbreaks in public water systems.

#ronperrinwater #watertowercleaning #potablewatertankcleaning. #tankdiver #watertowercleaning #watertankcleaning #watertankinspection #ROVtankinspection #tankcleaning #watertowerinspection #robottankcleaner

The best way to insure that E. coli or other bacteria will not invade your tank sediment is to remove it. Clean your water storage tanks then maintain them by getting them on a cleaning schedule.

Since 1997 Ron Perrin Water Technologies, Inc. has been a leader in the inspection and cleaning of water storage tanks and towers. Our inspection methods cover all state required inspection points. We also include a video produced by a underwater camera and lighting system that are able to properly inspect the interior floors of your facilities to determine sediment levels. We do all of this with no disruption in service and no water loss.

Our potable water dive team can keep your tanks clean with no disruption in service and minimal water loss. When sediment is removed the habitat that allows bacteria and other contaminants to remain in your tank is also gone. This allows the disinfectants like chlorine to do a much more effective job. Our customers report to us that they use less chlorine, after their tanks are cleaned to meet standards. For more information go to: www.ronperrin.com, send an e-mail to perrinsales@gmail.com or call 817-377-4899 for a quote today.

Reference: CDC Water-related Diseases and Contaminants in Public Water Systems – . Top 10 Causes – Outbreaks in Public Water Systems

E. coli – CDC –Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.

See more here: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/index.html

Got UGLY TANK?

April 23, 2019 by Ron Perrin

Concrete Tank Cleaning. We now offer pressure washing service for ground tanks. Please give us a call for a free quote.
817-377-4899.

https://youtu.be/2IItCFBb9PY

High Pressure Wash with Certified Lift Operator

Out of Sight, Out of Mind: What’s in Your Water?

March 9, 2016 by Ron Perrin

Out of Sight, Out of Mind: What’s in Your Water? is a documentary where microbiologists and tank inspection professionals discuss the importance of having potable water storage tanks inspected and cleaned regularly. Currently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has no regulations that require potable water storage tanks to be cleaned. We are hoping to raise awareness of this issue in order to change that.

We have been working on this project for over two years and it it time to raise some cash to finish it up. I hope you will be a part of this, please click here and find out how you can help! https://igg.me/at/whatsinyourwater/x/11623864

DCIM100MEDIA

Water Tank Inspection Diver

ARE YOU A CUSTOMER?

June 23, 2015 by Ron Perrin

Please write a review, we would love to post your comments about our service. We are celebrating our 18th year inspecting and cleaning water storage tanks and towers. I am proud to report that I have maintained my first customer this entire time. We now have many utilities we have serviced for over 17 years. Old or new, if you are one of our customers we would like to hear from you! Please take a minute and write a short review on our Facebook page page!

https://www.facebook.com/ronperrinwatertech

The Crew 2013

Now we can add a brain-eating amoeba to the list of contaminants that can be in tank sediment

Featured by Ron Perrin

Sediment being removed from the floor of a potable water storage tank by a dive crew.

Removing sediment from the floor of your water tanks and towers may also be removing the habitat that allows bacteria, protozoa and viruses from getting a foothold in your distribution system. Now we can add a brain-eating amoeba to the list of contaminants that the sediment on the floor of your water storage tank can support.

September 16, 2013, NBC News reported: “Deadly brain amoeba infects US tap water for the first time”. The death of a 4-year-old boy near Violet, LA., was linked to the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. The child had been playing on a backyard slip-n-slide that used water from the St. Bernard Parish water system, that was later found to be contaminated with the amoeba. “Tests show it’s present throughout the water supply system in St. Bernard Parish, directly southeast of New Orleans.”

According to the CDC: “Naegleria fowleri (commonly referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba” or “brain-eating ameba”), is a free-living microscopic ameba, (single-celled living organism). It can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The ameba is commonly found in warm freshwater (e.g. lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and soil. Naegleria fowleri usually infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Once the ameba enters the nose, it travels to the brain where it causes PAM, which is usually fatal. Infection typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. In very rare instances,Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources (such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or heated and contaminated tap water) enters the nose. You cannot get infected from drinking water contaminated with Naegleria.”

The CDC also tested nearby DeSoto Parish Waterworks Dist. #1 because it was the near the site of an infection that happened in 2011 from non-potable water (lake or river, etc.). On October 8, 2013, The CDC confirmed the presence of the rare amoeba in five locations in DeSoto Parish Waterworks Dist. #1.

Click Here to see the map: NUMBER OF CASE-REPORTS OF PRIMARY AMEBIC MENINGOENCEPHALITIS CAUSED BY NAEGLERIA FOWLERI

Heat is also a factor, an increase in only ten degrees can double the speed of bacteria growth. As record high temperatures become more common in summer months we see that keeping water distribution tanks free of sediment build up may be more important than ever before. Removing the sediment from your water tank may prevent a disaster before it can ever start.

Ron Perrin

Ron Perrin is the owner of Ron Perrin Water Technologies in Fort Worth, Texas. Since 1997 his company has inspected over six thousand water storage tanks and towers in 14 states. Ron may be contacted through his web site at www.ronperrin.com.

Debi Wheelan

For a free proposal to clean and inspect your potable water storage tanks and towers please call Debi at 817-377-4899.

or e-mail tankinspections@aol.com

We offer potable water tank inspections and cleaning.

Featured by Ron Perrin

Potable Water Diver

Since 1997 Ron Perrin Water Technologies has served the water utility industry providing state-of-the-art inspections with remote underwater cameras. Our inspection reports are the best in the industry, covering all state requirements for water tank and tower inspection and meeting all AWWA guidelines. Our inspections cover over 30 inspection points. Digital photography documents the condition of your tank, and our narrated underwater video lets you see first-hand what the inside roof walls and floor areas of the tank look like.

For those experiencing an EPA total coliform violation, our underwater inspections are a perfect place to start assessing your problem. Should accumulated sediment be found in the tank, our potable water dive crew can offer a cleaning solution that may be the only step needed to satisfy the Revised Total Coliform Rule requirement to take action. Accumulated tank sediment can be a safe habitat for bacteria, protozoa, viruses and other contaminants. Removing the sediment is often the only step required to comply with the Revised Total Coliform Rule**, in fact, our customers tell us time after time that their chlorine costs were significantly reduced after the tank was cleaned.

Diving in potable water is an art. Unlike offshore divers, potable water divers must be able to enter the water system without disrupting sediment on the floor of the tanks. Our divers are sealed in a dry suit so no part of their body touches the water. They are then washed down with a 200ppm chlorine solution to meet AWWA and state standards. The diver is then free to go into the confined space inside the water storage tanks. Underwater, the diver can do a more detailed inspection, or clean the loose sediment from the floor of the tank.

We are here to help you get it done! We offer the most choices for your inspection needs:

*Remote underwater camera (drop camera)

*ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle (specially designed and only used in potable water)

*Diver inspection – For the most detail

*Basic state requirements covered with, or without, photos to meet budget needs

We have served over 500 water utilities since 1997. Our customers include municipalities, prisons, universities and military bases. They all have one thing in common – they wanted comprehensive documentation about the status of their water tank, with no water loss and no disruption in service.

For more information about in-service tank inspections and cleaning, please see our primary web site at: www.ronperrin.com .

Or call 888-481-1768 for a free no obligation quote.

**On February 13, 2013, EPA published in the Federal Register the revisions to the 1989 TCR. EPA anticipates greater public health protection under the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) requirements. The RTCR:

Requires public water systems that are vulnerable to microbial contamination to identify and fix problems; and
Establishes criteria for systems to qualify for and stay on reduced monitoring, which could reduce water system burden and provide incentives for better system operation.
Click here for more information about the RTCR.

DEEP TREKKER ROV – First Test Run June 2013

Featured by Ron Perrin

UPDATE JULY 1, 2020.

In 2013 We Purchased a DEEP TREKKER ROV to use inspecting potable water storage tanks and towers. I am happy to report it is still working and doing a great job in 2020.
This video shows our first “Test Flight” in a clear-well and the second inspection we did on a ground storage tank. We added a safety rope to protect the tether and found the lighting system caused a little bit of glare when we went into darker parts of the tank, but it was reduced when we got closer to the inspection points we needed to look at. Overall, we found it to be a very good inspection tool!

: DEEP TREKKER First Flight

: DEEP TREKKER ROV

: Cameron Acker ROV Pilot

: DEEP TREKKER ROV

: Ron Perrin Water Technologies

: http://www.ronperrin.com

To learn more about what may be in potable water tanks and towers visit:

“THE CLEAN WATER TANK PROJECT”

For more information on RON PERRIN WATER TECHNOLOGIES click here or visit www.ronperrin.com

Do you need a Potable water tank or tower inspected?

Our inspection methods offer the most information for the least cost, all of our inspection methods include an underwater DVD allowing you to see what is in your storage tanks. Remote video camera, ROV or potable water diver we have a method for every budget.

Call us toll free at 888-481-1768 or simply fill out the form below:

Recent Water Tower Cleaning had a few surprises

April 26, 2013 by Ron Perrin

Potable water tower

Sediment Being Removed from the interior floor of tower

We recently cleaned a potable water storage tower that had not been cleaned since it was built in the mid 1980’s. This facility was in compliance, it had been inspected once a year, but due to the fact that there are no set rules on when to clean water storage tanks in Texas it had never been cleaned.

Sediment sample

We used a Celestron LED digital microscope to take a close look at the sediment removed from the floor of the tank. I posted what we found on my blog titled: THE CLEAN WATER TANK PROJECT at www.ronperrin.us. Due to the fact that rules on inspecting and cleaning potable water storage facilities vary greatly from state to state we may soon see changes in this area of Federal Regulation.

Currently most states do not have specific rules on when potable water storage tanks should be cleaned.

Please visit my CLEAN WATER TANK PROJECT blog and take the poll a few post down from the top. I would like feedback if you think the EPA should make a standardized requirement of cleaning and inspection of the nations drinking water tanks and towers.

If you are on LINKED IN please Join my network HERE.

THE BOOK

DO YOU NEED YOUR WATER STORAGE TANK OR TOWER Inspected or CLEANED? Call 888-481-1768

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE FUNDS YOU NEED to Inspect or clean your water storage tank?
YOU NEED MY BOOK! Show your Director, or Manager what sediment looks like that builds up in water tanks over time!

CHAPTER FOUR covers Contaminates In our Water!

CHAPTER SEVEN covers Inspection Methods.

CHAPTER EIGHT covers Cleaning Methods with color photos of sediment being removed!

CLICK HERE To Order: Inspecting & Cleaning Potable Water Storage by Ron Perrin