Plano officials are spending $7.7 million to upgrade a water tower near Parker Road and Premier Drive, according to city documents.
Crews are replacing the tower’s protective coating with a new long-lasting formula made without harmful molecules known as PFAS chemicals, said Drew Zaeske, Plano public works community investment program manager.
Construction on the project started last December and is expected to wrap up this fall.
What’s new
Plano’s water towers are made of steel and coated with a special protective paint.
In the past, Plano’s towers used a coating designed to last 15-20 years, Zaeske said.
At the Parker Road water tower, crews are removing the old coating and replacing it with a new coating that Zaeske hopes will extend the lifespan of the tower by five to 10 years.
The new coating is also made without PFAS chemicals.
“If leached into the water and consumed, [PFAS chemicals have] been shown they can cause negative health effects to the liver and kidneys and may be carcinogenic,” Zaeske said.
While the Environmental Protection Agency is still studying how infrastructure like water towers contribute to human exposure, Plano officials are trying to get ahead of the curve by using PFAS-free materials when possible, according to Zaekse.
The EPA hasn’t banned PFAS chemicals in the water system, “but obviously it’s best practice to avoid using them if possible,” he said.
In addition to the new coating, the Parker Road water tower rehabilitation also includes several structural upgrades, including:
Safety improvements to the tankTwo new water valvesImproved vehicle access for staffLooking ahead
Public Works rotates through the city’s water towers to perform routine maintenance based on available funding and the condition of each tower, Zaeske said.
The next water tower slated for rehabilitation is located near Jupiter Drive and Spring Creek Parkway. Design for that project is scheduled to start later this year, he said.
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