Contractors to finish restoring
Purdue University water tower
By Anna Herkamp
Summer
Reporter
This week contractors will begin the work of repainting
the million-gallon Purdue water tower tank located in the acres. The
tank supplies water to all of Purdue.
The project is anticipated to take about 30 days
to complete, with each paint coat drying in about 24 hours. The process
will involve sandblasting the metal, applying a primer coat and finishing
with two regular paint coats.
The water tower, which was built around 1960, has
to be repainted every 10-15 years, said Joe Mikesell, senior director
of engineering and construction
The first phases of the work will begin with reinstalling
the protective tarp, which will prevent debris from becoming a hassle
for residents and students who live and park in the area.
Also, the weathered surface must be sandblasted
to rid the tower of the last primer coat that was applied at the beginning
of the project last summer. This was delayed because of dust and debris
at the time students were moving in at the end of August.
This year, extra care has been taken to ensure
the safety of property in the area, said Mikesell.
Most of the work will be moving the equipment to
the work site so the major portion of the painting can begin in a couple
weeks.
The water tower project will include two jobs,
one for the interior of the water tower and one for the exterior.
Just like a car, the metal of the tower can rust
from the inside and out, said Joe Woody superintendent of construction.
There has to be a protective coat to protect from decay, he said.
Though the exact date of painting isn't known,
the tower will be finished by mid-August.
The color of the exterior will also change from
red and white to a different scheme. A Purdue logo will also be painted
on the exterior.
Local residents need not worry about a change in
water service, said Woody. Because of interconnections with Indiana
American Water Company, Purdue's pumps will be running under correct
pressure. Water will still be pumped from the wells. It will continue
to be pumped from the tower, but it will not refill for the duration
of the project.
"The situation is not ideal in the case of fire
fighting, but if needed, water in West Lafayette can be used," said
Mikesell.
"No one will notice any change in service," he
said.
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