The City of Llano has commenced a significant water tower maintenance and repainting project. Mayor Marion Bishop emphasized the importance of these efforts, saying "our storage facilities, like those of all municipalities, must be maintained and inspected from time to time to keep drink.” These storage tanks hold potable water used for drinking and fire hydrants.
In January, the Llano City Council unanimously approved budget adjustments, which included awarding a contract to Maguire Iron, Inc. from Sioux Falls, SD. The contract, valued at $593,500, covers the repainting of two ground storage tanks located at Landon Lane and the Law Enforcement Center. This expense was part of a broader maintenance package planned in 2022.
The City of Llano has been executing a structured plan to repaint all five of its water towers over a threeyear period. This initiative began in 2021 with a thorough inspection of all five towers, which were last painted between 2003 and 2005. Water towers generally require repainting every 2025 years, depending on water chemistry and environmental conditions.
Currently, Maguire Iron is contracted to repaint the Landon Lane Ground Storage and Law Enforcement Center Ground Storage. Future projects include painting the Landon Lane Elevated Storage and Law Enforcement Center Elevated Storage in late 2025 through early 2026, followed by the Water Treatment Plant Clear Well in late 2026 through early 2027.
The restoration process involves sandblasting both
WATER TOWER continued on page 9 the interior and exterior of the tanks and applying a new protective coating. Additionally, the outsides of the tanks will be repainted in sky blue, with updated logos. The tarp covering the exterior of the tanks is in place to contain blasting material and overspray during priming.
While being serviced, the 1 million gallons of water normally held in the tanks will be circulated underground and held in two portable tanks onsite.
Beyond repainting, the project includes crucial maintenance work such as rehabilitation of water level gauges, replacement of interior ladders in the ground storage tanks at Landon Lane and the Law Enforcement Center and replacement of roof trusses at Landon Lane.
The Landon Lane Ground Storage Tank, originally built in 1983 and last repainted in 2003-2004, will undergo 115 days of work. The Law Enforcement Center Ground Storage will follow immediately with a 55-day schedule.
During the City Council meeting on Monday night, the issue of going over budget was discussed as an inevitable part of the project. Josh Becker, City of Llano Director of Water and Wastewater Operations, explained that several hidden problems were uncovered during the renovation process including a critical issue with the roof rafter supports in the South Tank on Landon Lane, which were close to failure. This discovery required a change order with Maguire Iron, increasing the overall cost of the project. “The Council had little choice but to approve the change order which will increase the cost of the project,” said Bishop.
While the towers are out of service for maintenance, city officials are urging residents to conserve water. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) conducts annual inspections, and maintenance is typically performed on water level gauges every few years unless additional deficiencies are identified.
