Ridge Road Water Storage Tank Replacement Project

The T16 Ridge Road Water Storage Tank Replacement Project is part of Prince William Water’s ongoing commitment to maintain and strengthen the reliability of drinking water infrastructure across the service area. The existing T16 tank, located at 1860 Ridge Road in Haymarket, VA, is a 96,000-gallon bolted steel ground storage tank constructed in 1994. After more than 30 years of service, the tank has reached the end of its useful life and shows extensive structural degradation, coating failure, and multiple safety and regulatory deficiencies. 

Following comprehensive inspections and engineering evaluations, Prince William Water determined that replacement of the existing tank with a new welded steel tank is the most cost-effective and long-term solution. A welded steel tank offers an expected service life of approximately 75 years, improved structural resilience, lower lifecycle maintenance, and full compliance with updated AWWA and OSHA standards. 

The project also includes construction of a new access road, grading improvements, safety enhancements, replacements of aging electrical and instrumentation systems, and upgrades to on-site operational equipment. Together, these improvements ensure continued reliable water service to the surrounding communities and improved operational efficiency for decades to come.

Why Replacement Is Recommended

Engineering analysis showed that rehabilitating the existing tank would require extensive repairs, long outages, and costs approaching or exceeding that of a new tank, while only adding 10–15 years of life. In contrast, a new welded steel tank provides:

• Longer service life (~75 years)
• Lower long-term maintenance costs
• Enhanced structural integrity
• Improved access and safety
• Reduced outage duration compared to rehabilitation

Schedule

• Design Duration: Approximately 10 months (including shop drawings, fabrication, and submittals).
• Construction Duration: Approximately 10 months, including demolition, foundation work, tank erection, coating, and commissioning.