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32 The Authority | February 2025 F irst A nniversary I nspections : A K ey P art of T ank L ongevity By Christine Gunsaullus, The Tank Queen, LLC If you've attended my tank talks, you might remember stories about First Anniversary Inspections that make you cringe. One of my favorites happened several jobs ago, just before Memorial Day Weekend, when I was coordinating tank inspections. Our remotely operated vehicle (ROV) team was at the Jersey Shore to perform a First Anniversary Inspection on an elevated tank. My firm had not been involved in the tank’s repainting and rehabilitation the year before, so this inspection was our first chance to review the work. Using an ROV allowed the tank to remain full of water and operational while performing the inspection. Our team would confirm the condition of the coatings inside and out, ensure the vent and overflow screens were intact and functional, check that all retrofits and safety equipment were in working order, and verify the site’s security. The lead operator called the office right after lunch with a stern warning: “If anyone is heading to so-and-so town for the holiday weekend, DON’T drink the water!” It turned out that after the rehab, the painter had forgotten to reinstall screens on several roof vents. Seagulls and other local birds had entered the tank, bringing nesting materials and leaving a significant mess. Feathers, straw, and sticks floated on the water’s surface, but the worst part was discovered when the ROV descended: almost a foot of bird excrement covered the tank bottom. The tank owner immediately took the tank offline, cleaned it out, and thoroughly disinfected it before returning it to service. Making It Happen When I share this story, I often see audience members jotting down notes to schedule a First Anniversary Inspection for their tanks. I believe it’s the best way to ensure you get what you paid for and confirm everything is functioning as intended. Anything that isn’t working correctly or fails during the warranty period can be repaired or replaced at no cost to the owner. Some may assume that a First Anniversary Inspection will automatically be performed, but it is not required unless explicitly included in the contract and project specifications. The AWWA D-102 Standard for Coating Steel Water Storage Tanks provides limited guidance for this type of inspection, focusing exclusively on coatings. I specify perform anniversary inspections for all types of water tanks— welded steel, bolted, and concrete. This is particularly crucial after new tank construction and major rehabilitations, such as repaints. I require that all components of the contract work be included in the inspection. Since the tank has typically been online for a year by this time, owners and engineers may have moved on to other projects and emergencies, making it easy to forget this step. Here’s a tip: mark the tank's return- to-service date on your calendar, then schedule the inspection two to three months in advance to ensure availability. Without a clear reminder, you might miss the warranty period and the chance for no-cost corrections. The Details To guarantee an Anniversary Inspection is part of your project, “ Using an ROV allowed the tank to remain full of water and operational while performing the inspection. ”