Public Works Commission

PWC Begins Repainting of Water Tower on Wilson Street
Woodrow Street Park to be closed until Spring 2007

December 2006

Beginning in December 2006, PWC will take its water storage tank located on the corner of Woodrow and Wilson Street, out of service to be repainted. Utility Service Company, Inc., a PWC contractor, will perform the work and the project is expected to be completed
by April 2007.

Water services will not be affected while this water tank is out of service; however, there will be increased traffic and equipment in the area of the tank during the project. As a precaution, the City of Fayetteville will close the Wilson Street Park until the project is complete.

The project will involve the removal of all paint inside and outside of the tower. Because of the method required to remove the paint, protective measures will be taken that include installing a containment system around the tower. Temporary curtains and a top (or bonnet) will be installed over the top of the tank prior to the paint removal to contain debris. The curtains will be raised during any sandblasting or painting of the exterior of the tank. They will be lowered daily when work is finished to protect the containment system from the wind damage. In addition, air quality monitors will be installed throughout the area. This effort will be coordinated with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources/Division of Air Quality to ensure public safety during this project.

PWC understands this project may cause inconveniences for those that live and work in the area. However, as part of PWC's on-going maintenance of elevated water storage tanks, it is necessary in order to ensure that our customers, continue to receive quality and dependable water service. Every possible safety precaution will be taken and all work areas will be barricaded and marked to prevent injury. Residents can help by avoiding the work area.

Questions or concerns about this project, please contact PWC Water Treatment Facility Manager Chris Smith at (910) 223-4708 during normal business hours.

You may also contact the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources/Division of Air Quality at (910) 433-3300.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening at Wilson Street?
When project will begin?
When will it be completed?
Who is performing the work?
Where else have they done this type of project?
What are the phases of project?
What safety precautions are being taken?
How often are the air quality readings taken?
What is the containment system?
When will the containment system be used?
What time of day will the work be preformed?
Will this impact my water service?
How old is the tower?
How much water does it hold?
How tall is the tower?
When was the last time the tower was repainted?

Q: What is happening at Wilson Street?
A: PWC is taking the elevated water storage tank located on the corner of Woodrow and Wilson Street, out of service to be repainted.

Q: When project will begin?
A: A containment system for paint removal will be constructed in December 2006. Paint removal is expected to begin in January 2007. Preliminary work to prepare the site has already started in October 2006.

Q: When will it be completed?
A: It is expected to take 12-16 weeks to remove paint and repaint. Weather conditions could impact this schedule.

Q: Who is performing the work?
A: Utility Service Company, Inc., (USC) a PWC contractor, will perform the work. Utility Service Company has extensive experience in the paint removal of aging water tanks.

Q: Where else have they done this type of project?
A: USC has performed this services throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. Most recently, they were contracted to do the same work for the City of Greensboro, Kinston and Jacksonville.

Q: What are the phases of project?
A:
1. Removal of antennas/ equipment from tower and trees in immediate tower area (4 weeks)
2. Erect containment system (4 weeks)
3. Remove paint (8-10 weeks)
4. Apply paint - 3 applications (2-6 weeks)

Q: What safety precautions are being taken?
A: A containment system around the tank will be used during the project and the City of Fayetteville will close the Wilson Street park until the project is complete. In addition, air quality monitors will be installed throughout the area. This effort will be coordinated with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources/Division of Air Quality to ensure public safety during this project.

Q: How often are the air quality readings taken?
A: Initially (the first week or so of sand-blasting), measurements will be taken daily. After results are received, the testing will most likely be reduced to weekly.

Q: What is the containment system?
A: Temporary curtains and a top (or bonnet) will be installed over the top of the tank prior to the paint removal to contain debris.

Q: When will the containment system be used?
A: The curtains will be raised during any sandblasting or painting of the exterior of the tank. They will be lowered daily when work is finished to protect the containment system from the wind damage.

Q: What time of day will the work be preformed?
A: Crews will work 7 days of week, 12 hours a day beginning at 7 am daily.

Q: Will this impact my water service?
A: Your water services will not be affected when this water tank is out of service, however, there will be increased traffic and equipment in the area of the tank during the project as well as noise associated with the work.

Q: How old is the tower?
A: The tower was built in 1949

Q: How much water does it hold?
A: 1 million gallons

Q: How tall is the tower?
A: Approximately 125 feet

Q: When was the last time the tower was repainted?
A: The last time the tank was top-coated was in 1999. The tank has never been completely stripped to the bare metal and re-painted. Exterior of steel water tanks normally need repainting (top-coating) once every 8 to 10 years.



The containment system raised during work- Feb. 2, 2007, as seen from Virginia Street.	Containment System as seen from Woodrow Street	Woodrow Street Park closed during tower project

Containment system curtains when lowered	Frame for the containment system at top of water tower	A view from base of tower