For Mon Valley travelers, the Pennsylvania American Water tank in West Mifflin is something of a landmark.
Located 1,305 feet above sea level near the border with Pittsburgh's Lincoln Place neighborhood, the 7.2 million-gallon tank appears on the horizon from many vantage points.
Once topped with an orange and white checkerboard paint job that was required by the Federal Aviation Administration because of its proximity to Allegheny County Airport, the circular steel structure nowadays sports a lower-profile blue exterior.
The tank's new look — and a corresponding new paint job on the tank's interior — were featured Thursday at an open house hosted by Pennsylvania American Water Co.
“In a couple of weeks, this will be filled to the top with 7.2 million gallons of water,” said Ralph Wawrzyniakowski, construction manager for the $1.3 million rehabilitation project.
Before the tank is refilled, it will be washed down on the inside, disinfected and approved for use by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The tank is 62 years old and has not been painted since 1994. The old paint was stripped off and replaced with a fresh coat of zinc-based paint and two coats of an epoxy.
The project included some repairs to the concrete, water company officials said.
Repainting helps extend the life of the tank, prevents rust and is cheaper than building new tanks.
Typically, tanks are repainted every 15 to 20 years, production manager Jasun Stanton said.
He said the water is drawn from the Monongahela River at an intake point near Becks Run Road and East Carson Street. It is treated at the Hays Mine Water treatment plant near Becks Run Road and Agnew Avenue in Pittsburgh before being pumped to the West Mifflin tank and three others.
The tank is used for storage and levels rise and fall throughout the day, depending on usage, Wawrzyniakowski said.
The West Mifflin tank feeds others in the network and helps the water company meet demand during high-use periods and emergencies such as fires and main breaks.
The outside was repainted a solid blue with the water company logo last year, when the FAA said the checkerboard pattern was no longer a requirement.
The interior was stripped and painted this summer by George Kountoupes Painting of Lincoln Park, Mich. Wawrzyniakowski said the company specializes in water tank projects and has painted other structures for Pennsylvania American Water.
The tank provides storage for West Mifflin, Munhall, Homestead, West Homestead, Pleasant Hills, Baldwin and Pittsburgh's 31st Ward. It is one of 15 the company is restoring this year at a total cost of $6.7 million.
When the tank was built in 1953, it was the largest east of the Mississippi River.
West Mifflin borough manager Brian Kamauf said he is impressed with tower's new look and interior.
“The borough has a good working relationship with Pennsylvania American Water,” Kamauf said, adding it is good to see the utility company reinvesting in its infrastructure.
Eric Slagle is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161 ext. 1966, or eslagle@tribweb.com.
