The Why 

The Sawmill Water Storage Tank is one of the oldest tanks in the District’s system and is going on 60 years old. The existing 3.0-million-gallon welded steel tank has never been recoated, despite industry standards recommending recoating approximately every 20 years. As a result, the tank is well beyond its expected service life.  The tank is located at approximately 4,500 feet in elevation and is subject to significant snow loads, which place additional structural stress on these already deteriorated roof rafters.  Sawmill Tank zone is also CCWD largest within the entire system; over 5,000 homes rely on the water from this tank.   

The tank was originally constructed on sliver fill, which is not recommended for large water storage facilities. This has resulted in measurable differential settlement, with one side of the tank settling more than the other.  

The tank is significantly oversized for current system needs. Storage demand at this location is approximately 1.0 million gallons, meaning the tank typically operates at a fraction of its capacity. This condition results in poor circulation, increased water age, and water quality concerns. Steel floor conditions are also a concern, as tanks of this age that have not be recoated commonly experience pinpoint pitting through the floor causing seepage and corrosion on the underside of the tank.  

The project will replace the existing Sawmill tank with two new glass-lined steel tank constructed on a reinforced concrete slab foundation. This configuration provides a durable, corrosion-resistant facility designed to current standards and will significantly improve long-term reliability and ease of maintenance with two tank configurations.