Fall 2024 Updates
Lighting Installation Brackets and conduits are being installed to add lighting inside the tank column.
Altitude Valve Vault and Safety Bollards The altitude valve vault is completed, and the yellow safety bollards are installed. These bollards protect the vault and help equipment operators see it while working.
Tank Roof and Antenna The roof of the tank has an active WSSC SCADA antenna.
Foundation Waterproofing Prep The soil around the tank’s foundation is vacuumed to clean and dry the area before applying waterproofing. This helps protect the foundation from water and keeps it durable.
Tank Coating Inspections Inspections are done to check that the tank coatings meet quality standards.
Interior Finish The inside of the tank is coated with a finish that protects it and keeps it smooth. Caulking seals any gaps to stop moisture from getting in, which helps protect the finish and make it last longer.
Manhole and Drainage System This picture shows the manhole and pipes used to move water away from the site. The overflow drain is designed to empty the tank if it fills up too much.
Concrete Pipe Support The crew is building a concrete base to support the overflow pipe. This base keeps the pipe stable, in place, and able to handle different pressures.
Access to Tank Pipes The top slab of the riser vault has a door for accessing the tank's inlet pipes.
Generator Pad A concrete pad for the emergency generator has been built. If there’s a power outage, this generator will automatically turn on to keep the tank working properly.
Tower view west.
Spring 2024 Updates
The new concrete walls of the Altitude Valve Vault have been set, and we've removed the forms from the inside. The exterior forms will be removed soon. The pipes will be installed in the two (2) openings in the wall.
Setting up piping and valves in the Altitude Valve Vault. The image shows a check valve and two (2) plug valves installed in the openings from image one (1).
The completed Altitude Valve Vault will house the altitude, check, and plug valves. The hatches provide access to these valves and allow personnel to enter the vault.
The altitude, check, and plug valves have been installed inside the Altitude Valve Vault. The check valve and altitude valve work together to fill the tank and release water when there is demand.
Currently, we're excavating the existing water line to the tank to replace it with a new main line. The existing line, installed when the tank was built, has reached the end of its service life.
The new water line is being installed in the tank riser vault, where the main line connects to the elevated tank.
An important step in this process is the application of the intermediate stripe coating, which ensures the specified thickness is achieved on all parts of the surface, providing the necessary protection.
This intermediate coating also serves as a neutral base for color development, covers surface imperfections, and provides a solid foundation for the final finish coating.
The exterior finish coating is being applied. The lower bowl and fluted column will be painted dark blue, and the upper bowl and tank legs will be light blue.
Winter Updates 2024
Completing a test pit with a vac truck to determine the location of the existing gas main to locate and confirm its depth. A vac truck uses suction to remove soil and elminates the risk of damaging existing utilities.
Tank interior roof repairs, roof rafter have been replaced, pits repaired by being welded and covered with covering plating. The welders work off the scaffolding that is shown in the picture.
Existing PCCP pipe and new adapter (white) to facilitate installation of new DIP 24-inch water main on site that runs to tank.
Completing a test pit with a vacuum truck to determine the location of the existing gas main to locate and confirm its depth. A vac truck uses suction to remove soil and eliminates the risk of damaging existing utilities.
The containment raised around the tank; contains the abrasive blasting material and over spray from painting the tank.
New fire hydrant installed on site to be used in the future to provide contractors with access to water.
Absravise blasting and primer coat (gray) progress photo to the exterior of the tank.
The interior dry area of the tank and fluted column finish coat of the new epoxy coating.
New altitude valve vault floor poured and setting up forms for the altitude valve vault walls.
Summer 2023 Updates
Installation of containment system bracing to allow for full enclosure of tank installation to contain dust from blasting the tank and overspray from painting. New handrail system in compliance with OSHA requirements has also been installed.
View of temporary construction equipment and facilities from top of tank including; field construction office, dust collection equipment and other miscellaneous items.
Demolition of existing overflow piping system to be replaced with new stainless-steel pipe.
Applying the prime coat of the new coating system to the prepared steel in the interior of the tank.
The interior of the tank being abrasive blasted to prepare the steel surface for the new coating system.
Tank interior being power washed and cleaned prior to the coating process beginning.
New stainless-steel overflow pipe installation.
Spring 2023 Project Updates
Stabilized Construction Entrance - This will provide a stable entrance/exit, that will clean vehicle tires to help keep the road clean of mud and sediments.
Installation of Silt Fence - The entire construction site perimeter is wrapped in silt fence it will prevent soil and sediment from running off site into the road or adjacent properties during rain events.
Temporary Office Facility - This trailer will provide the resident engineer with an office he can work out of, hold on meetings, and project documents.
Removing ladder cage - The existing ladder cage is being removed so that a new ladder can be installed that meets today’s current OSHA requirements.
Removing cupola - Removal of the existing cupola is required to allow for construction access for equipment and materials necessary to perform rehabilitation of tank interior.
Construction Mats - These mats create a surface on which construction equipment can properly function and to protect existing underground utilities.
Background – Pointer Ridge Rehabilitation
The Pointer Ridge Tank is a two-million-gallon steel elevated water storage facility located at 1211 Port Echo Lane, Bowie, Maryland. The elevated tank and associated inlet/outlet piping on site were constructed in 1972 and nearing the end of their service life.
Project Scope
Site Work
The project calls for replacing existing facility yard piping and valve vaults, which will connect to the existing water main in Port Echo Lane. Site work will also include a new perimeter security fence/gate and repaving of the site driveway. None of the existing trees are slated for removal as part of the construction project, and there are no proposed changes to the site’s landscaping.
Structural
Due to the age of the facility, upgrades to the structural steel and concrete foundation are included as part of the project which will extend the service life of the tank. This portion of the project also includes updating ladders, balconies and tank access to meet current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to ensure WSSC Water personnel can maintain and work around and, on/in the tank safely.
Coating
The tank's interior and exterior will be recoated with a new epoxy that will protect the tank from corrosion. The process includes removing the existing coating by abrasive blasting, then cleaning and preparing the surface before the new coating is applied.
Containment System
A containment system will be erected around the existing tank structure to provide two important functions:
- To contain particles from blasting and the existing coating within the system. The contractor will abide by OSHA, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and all other applicable codes for disposing of the waste produced from the abrasive blasting process.
- To prevent overspray during the painting process.
Water Quality
Throughout rehabilitation, the tank will be drained and out of service, isolated from the water system. After the construction completion, the tank will be cleaned and disinfected by WSSC Water. We will also collect water samples for testing; results must be approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) before returning the tank to service.
Impact
There will be NO impact to customer water service due to the rehabilitation process.
Residents in the area should expect minor traffic impacts due to the delivery of materials and equipment to the project site. Deliveries will be restricted to not interfere with school bus pick-up or drop-off (7:15 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. and & 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.).
Schedule
The contractor is expected to mobilize to the project site mid to late March to install sediment control and soil erosion measures.
The project's expected completion date is November 30, 2024 (weather dependent).
Additional Information
Location Map
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Contacts
Christopher DeHerde - WSSC Water Project Manager – (301) 206-8560
(Please email any questions to Christopher.Deherde@wsscwater.com)
Tony Lord – WSSC Water On-site Representative – (443) 790-6506
David Wilkins – WSSC Water Customer Advocate – (301) 206-4371
Photo - Pre-Rehabilitation
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Last Modified: November 12, 2024, 5:15 pm EST