The Southside Water Tower (behind the Greenville Boulevard Walmart) has a new look! The recoating process is about more than just looks, though. It helps extend the life of the tank, which holds 1.5 million gallons of treated water. 

Every two years, an inspector measures the paint thickness of GUC’s two elevated water towers to determine if recoating is needed. The last time this water tower was recoated was in 2008, and the most recent analysis of the interior and exterior of the tank revealed that a fresh coating was needed to protect it. 

The recoat process involves a pressure wash cleaning with spot sandblasting as needed. Then both the inside and outside of the tank are repainted. Finally, our logo, and a message that welcomes visitors to Pirate Nation, was painted on by hand. 

While the process was underway, the tower was covered in a shroud to prevent the wind from getting paint on nearby cars and buildings. The entire process took ten weeks and began in early July. 

The Eastside Water Tower overcoat rehabilitation should begin next summer.