Tennessee American Water will begin a rehabilitation project on its Phillip D. Glass water storage tank at the Citico Water Treatment Plant. The improvements, which will cost approximately $870,000, will help improve water service reliability to customers and significantly extend the useful life of the 1.8 million-gallon water storage tank located on the north side of Amnicola Highway, officials said.
As part of the rehabilitation project, Tennessee American Water will also work with a local artist – Emory Fry of Graphics Work – to do a complete makeover of the company’s iconic Phillip D.
Glass billboard, which has been sitting atop of the water storage tank to welcome local residents and visitors for more than 20 years.
“Rehabilitating this water storage facility will ensure Tennessee American Water has adequate water supply to meet customer demands and provide fire protection for the communities we serve throughout the Chattanooga and North Georgia area,” said Deron Allen, president of Tennessee American Water.
Work for this project will include structural steel improvements and the blasting and recoating of the exterior and interior portions of the tank. The estimated duration of the project is approximately 45 days. During the project, the company does not expect customers to experience service interruptions.
Officials said, "These improvements are part of Tennessee American Water’s long-term strategy to renew and replace its aging water infrastructure. During the past 16 years, the company has invested more than $127 million in local water infrastructure improvements and plans to invest approximately $25 million over the next two years. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, communities throughout the state of Tennessee will need to spend approximately $2.77 billion during the next 20 years to renew and replace their water infrastructure needs."