Photo Gallery E3:  Domestic Water Storage

The generally deteriorated condition of most domestic or potable water steel storage tanks is shocking given the public awareness to pollutants in the water supply.  Although so few tenants drink water from a sink or fountain that the water fountains for many commercial office buildings have been removed, everyone comes in contact with water carried through some form of storage container on a daily basis.  For tenants of high rise apartments and condominiums, contact with the water stored in cold and hot water tanks is far greater.

For older tanks dating back before the 1950s, red lead paint and coal tar was the common protective agent guarding against corrosion, as well as other even more carcinogenic agents.  Many such tanks still remain in service, and will not be exposed for the threat they present until a leak occurs.  It is then up to an observant investigator to point out a concern no one really wants to address.

Almost all domestic water storage tanks carry a fire water storage reserve, which leaves the bottom 3-5 ft. of the tank remaining relatively stagnant.  Inside ladders often suffer the most advanced corrosion, with some resembling those still resting within the Titanic.  Cleaning and sterilizing operations, which by most city codes must be performed each year, will often uncover an array of tools, flashlights, 2-way radios, and other items lost during maintenance tasks.  Judging from this Photo Gallery, however, major cleaning and inspection deficiencies exist.

While water filtration is highly advised, it is rarely installed to the domestic water supply from any storage tank unless a widely publicized contamination has occurred.