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Tank roof collapses

Friday afternoon, April 8, the city had to take one of its water tanks off-line.

Friday afternoon, April 8, the city had to take one of its water tanks off-line.

Engineering director Tim Gleig explained the action was taken when it was discovered that about half the roof of the one million gallon wood stave tank had collapsed.

“We still have our two, one million gallon welded steel tanks on line which provides adequate storage for the water system for normal operations and fire flow during this time of year,” he said.

Photos of the collapse had been sent to International Tank and Pipe Company with a request to contact the city to discuss the economic feasibility of repairing this tank given its age and current condition.

Gleig noted the tank is more than 40-years-old and has for some years required work to minimize leaks.

However, he added, the cost of that annual maintenance has been far less than financing for a replacement.

While not vital to the city’s water supply, the wood stave tank has been useful in supplementing storage during high water consumption periods or when the steel tanks are taken out of service for cleaning or maintenance.