Elkton Water Tower Being Painted With A Smile
A valued landmark in the Village of Elkton - “a town with a smile”- is in the process of getting a face lift. Spicer Group was hired to work on a water storage tank for the Village of Elkton, a small town that sits in the upper part of the thumb region of Michigan. The water tank is located just off North Main Street in the Village’s downtown.
This isn’t the first time Spicer Group has worked with the Village of Elkton on their water tank. In 1973, past Spicer Group engineers Charles Sessner and Jim Martin helped design the original water tank for the Village. Besides overcoating the tank in 1992, there have not been any renovations completed to the tank.
An inspection completed by Nelson Tank Engineering & Consulting identified improvements that were needed including a full re-painting of the structure.
Spicer Group was hired by the Village to provide designs and construction administration assistance for the project, which included working with the Village to update controls and implementing several repairs. George Kountoupes Painting out of Lincoln Park is responsible for all painting tasks. Helm Electric completed all electrical control improvements in 2020.
The 100,000-gallon tank is being repainted with its famous smiley face design that the Village and its visitors have grown to love. The new paint is expected to last another 50 years and gives the tank a fresh new look.
“I’ve been here 31 years and the people at this point are not concerned about how the water tank works, but more about its smiley face,” Department of Public Works Superintendent Lonnie Schulz said.
The town has never had any discussion about changing the painting to anything else, especially because of its residential significance.
In order to paint the tank, it had to first be sand blasted and therefore shrouded, due to the nearby buildings and houses. Shrouding is a lengthy process involving the attachment of vertical cables at the top of the tank and then draping a curtain-style fabric over it so it is completely covered to avoid any material from getting out during the sand blasting and painting.
Along with the repainting, the cell antenna that sits on top of the tank was removed and reinstalled to a new handrail that is being constructed around the hatch of the water tower. The cell antenna will be attached directly to the rail for added stability and security instead of being tied directly to the hatch.
While the Village of Elkton does have wells, the water tank provides a reserve for the community for various emergencies such as a fire, a power outage and a water shut-off. The tank provides stable water pressure in the water system.
Another added benefit that the Village receives from having the water tank is better ISO ratings, which effects homeowner’s insurance of community members. The better the rating then the lower the insurance cost, which is why maintaining the water tower over the years has become increasingly important.
“Although the project is ongoing, and Spicer Group is continuing to work hard to provide expert services for the Village of Elkton, the feedback has been very positive,” Schulz said. “Spicer Group is the only company that has worked with us and we are a small community, but they are diligent and look out for us.”
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