Residents in or near Thorold South witness the rise of scaffolding around the Niagara Region water tower at the corner of Niagara Falls and Allanburg roads.
Norm Miller, strategic communications and public affairs with the Region, told the Thorold News there are extensive upgrades underway to the elevated tank totalling just under $3 million in expenditure. The tank holds 2.7 million litres of potable water.
A report to Regional Council noted the tower has been in service for almost 40 years.
"A standard practice for the Region is to have all elevated tanks inspected every year to ensure that the condition is known and to address condition or safety related problems," Miller noted. "Inspections of the Thorold tank in 2016 and 2017 showed that this middle-aged infrastructure was in need of repair and would need a full refurbishment to continue to provide safe and secure water storage for Decew Water Treatment Plant’s system."
Regional Council approved the project in May.
Miller also provided ThoroldNews with a summary of the work being completed:
- Full removal of interior lining system and repairs to existing steel and concrete and application of an interior lining system
- Full removal and replacement of exterior coating system, including installation of a temporary scaffolding and hoarding structure and lead abatement
- Safety upgrades including new ladders, fall arrest, tank access hatches and handrails
- Process piping upgrades including replacement of valves, tank drain piping modifications, installation of chlorine analyser and a new sanitary connection
- Electrical upgrades
- Site upgrades including new overflow swale, fencing and access driveway
- Restoration and clean-up
- As part of this work, the elevated tank was emptied to allow access to the interior. In June, the tank was isolated from the system and drained and it will remain out of service until late October.
