Well 20 Reservoir Painting Project
October 12, 2026 Update
The contractor completed the exterior blasting work last week. That part of the project is now finished. The outside of the reservoir has also been primed, and the contractor has started applying the new protective coating.
Coating work will continue this week and is expected to be completed by the end of this weekend. After the coating work is finished, the contractor will begin cleaning up the site and removing equipment. Cleanup is expected to be completed by the end of next weekend. The project remains on schedule and is expected to be fully completed by the end of October.
Project Details
Project Information
Project Background
Reservoir 20 is a 4.2-million-gallon standpipe, constructed in 1973. The reservoir was last painted in 2000.
Reservoir 20 is nearing the maintenance cycle of every 25-30 years to maintain structural integrity and prevent future degradation. It needs stated upgrades to continue supplying water to the area as reliably as possible.
Reservoir Project Overview
Reservoir 20 will be taken out of service to keep up with standards. This includes draining, completing the required improvements from the DNR, disinfection, and putting the reservoir back into service.
Updates to Reservoir 20 include installation of a failsafe vent, new fall protection equipment, new handrailing system on tank roof. Other work includes cleaning of sediment, miscellaneous repairs, surface preparation, containment shrouding, and application of paints and coatings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Project Updates
October 12, 2026 Update
The contractor completed the exterior blasting work last week. That part of the project is now finished. The outside of the reservoir has also been primed, and the contractor has started applying the new protective coating.
Coating work will continue this week and is expected to be completed by the end of this weekend. After the coating work is finished, the contractor will begin cleaning up the site and removing equipment. Cleanup is expected to be completed by the end of next weekend. The project remains on schedule and is expected to be fully completed by the end of October.
October 1, 2026 Update
Work continues on the Reservoir 20 Maintenance and Repainting Project.
The FasterBlaster system was out of service this week, but it is expected to be back in operation by Friday, October 2. Blasting is planned to continue through the weekend. If weather and equipment conditions allow, blasting of the entire outside of the reservoir is expected to be complete by Monday, October 5.
The contractor will also begin applying the new coating to parts of the reservoir while blasting continues in other areas. We understand that the blasting work is very loud and may be disruptive to nearby residents. This work is needed to remove the old coating and prepare the reservoir for its new protective coating.
We appreciate your patience while this work is completed. The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of October.
September 10, 2026 Update
Over Labor Day weekend, Madison Water Utility learned that some blasting material and old paint residue left the work area and landed on nearby properties. The contractor had been using a wet blasting method to remove the old paint from the reservoir. This method uses water to help control dust, but some material became airborne during cleanup work.
Testing completed before the project started showed that the old paint does not contain hazardous materials. The blasting material is also considered safe. The amount of material that left the site does not pose a risk to people, plants, animals, or nearby properties.
Blasting work has been approved to begin again using a different method. The contractor will now use a system called FasterBlaster for the remaining exterior work.
The FasterBlaster works directly against the outside of the reservoir. It uses a vacuum system to collect dust, old paint, and blasting material while the work is being done. This method is expected to better control the material and reduce the amount that can become airborne.
Madison Water Utility will continue to work with the contractor and monitor the work as the project moves forward. If you have blasting material on your property from the earlier work, the contractor can provide cleanup help at no cost. The material can also be cleaned with water and an environmentally safe cleaner, such as Simple Green.
The contractor is continuing the reservoir repainting work and plans to finish the project this fall, weather permitting.
May 26, 2026 Update
Mobilization by Maguire and Mid-South has been completed, and interior work is expected to begin this week (week of 5/25)
May 11, 2026 Update
First notice letters were sent on May 1