By Jaclyn Hicken
With the main structure nearing completion and construction on the roof set to begin, the new 20 million gallon water tank currently being built in Orem is entering its second year of construction.
'This is a joint venture between Orem City and the Central Utah Water Conversancy District,' City Mayor Jerry Washburn said. 'We needed to increase our storage capacity, and we felt in was advantageous to join and build a 20 million gallon tank.'
The Central Utah Water Conservancy District, a political subdivision of the state of Utah, works to provide water services, such as managing and delivering water, to cities all over the state. The new water tank will serve both Orem and the water conservancy district, with each party paying half of the construction costs and owning half of the water the tank will hold.
Water tanks and water rights play an important role in the structural stability of a city. Various water sources, such as spring water, shares in reservoirs, snow and rain, and wells generate water for Orem and other cities.
In the summer months, particularly around July and August, Orem sees a peak water demand of up to 57 million gallons of water per day. This translates into an average daily usage of 430 gallons of water per person. The addition of the new tank will help to meet these needs, Washburn said.
'This capacity should serve Orem indefinitely,' Washburn said. 'There''s no need for future capacity expansion. On the other hand, Central Utah sees a great need for expansion for growing cities like Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. It''s a great help for us both.'
Project coordinator Chris Tschirki said the increasing growth rate in the area led to the need for the tank.
'Water demands have grown over time as development occurs,' said Chris Tschirki, a project coordinator. 'Our growth had increased quite a bit in the last 12 years. It has increased by about 30,000 people; as the demands increase, so do the demands increase to have more storage capabilities.'
Both Orem and the CUWCD have water storage tanks already located on the north side of Orem. However, in order to meet EPA standards - which require that water have a certain amount of contact time with chlorine before reaching the tap - it was calculated that a tank this size was necessary to allow sufficient contact time.
The project is estimated to be finished in December of 2007. When completed, the tank will stand 50 feet deep and 260 feet in diameter with 164 45-foot tall columns supporting the roof. Of these 164 columns, more than 150 have already been built. Currently the walls, made of reinforced concrete, are being poured, dried, and installed. Thirty walls will be needed to complete the tank, and 27 have been completed.
'For Orem, this is a step in the right direction,' Tschirki said. 'This will help us meet our growing demands.'