Posted on August 13, 2025 by Brent Phillips

As water utility professionals, maintenance workers, engineers, and rural water system operators, your role in fixing a water tower leak that originates from the bottom is time-critical. It involves contacting and scheduling a team of specialized repair professionals who are certified to repair water towers using specialized techniques and strict adherence to industry regulations, particularly in rural areas where potable water is stored.

A water tower leak fixed properly not only restores structural integrity but also ensures the quality and safety of drinking water supplied to communities. In today’s blog, we’ll take a deep dive into regulatory compliance for protective coatings in rural potable water systems.

Understanding the Challenge: Leaks at the Water Tower Bottom

When a water tower leak originates from the tank bottom, it requires specialized intervention due to the complexity and the critical health role these structures play. The water tower bottom is especially prone to corrosion and structural weaknesses over time, which can threaten the safety and supply of potable water in rural municipalities. The repair process is not just a task, but a significant responsibility that ensures the protection of the communities it serves.

Step-by-Step: How Is a Water Tower Leak Fixed?

Fixing a water tower leak from the bottom involves a sequence of industry-standard procedures, tailored for the material and structural integrity of the tank. These procedures may include the use of specialized welding techniques for metal tanks or the application of specific concrete mixes for concrete tanks.

A certified tank and tower professional approaches water tank repairs with precision and adherence to safety and quality standards, reflecting significant complexity in the process. First, they must safely drain and isolate the tank to access the leak, ensuring no contamination or hazards occur. Cleaning both the interior floor and the immediate foundation area inside and outside requires meticulous attention to remove debris that could affect the integrity of the repair. Next, they conduct a detailed inspection to identify cracks or corroded steel sections, often requiring specialized skills like chiseling grooves or roughening surfaces to prepare for reinforcement.

These same professionals will reinforce compromised areas by welding or combining wire mesh with concrete or cement, aligning materials and techniques to the substrate type and damaged area. Crack sealing involves the precise application of approved waterproofing agents like bitumen paste, chosen for chemical compatibility with potable water conditions. After the physical repairs, thorough testing is critical to confirm the fix’s effectiveness before refilling the tank.

Finally, to maintain structural integrity and ensure ongoing compliance with potable water safety standards, the expert applies or renews internal protective coatings, a process that requires knowledge of regulatory guidelines and proper application methods. That comprehensive sequence of preparation, repair, testing, and finishing underscores the technical expertise and regulatory vigilance essential for certified professionals maintaining municipal water tanks.

The Role of Protective Coatings in Potable Water Tanks

Protective coatings are not just a maintenance feature—they are a regulatory necessity. When a leak originates from the tank bottom, repairs should begin immediately, followed by the application (or reapplication) of a certified protective lining to keep contaminants out and water in. These coatings, regulated for health and performance, are designed to prevent leaching of harmful substances and to withstand constant submersion.

Working With a Certified Team of Water Tank and Tower Professionals Trained in Best Practices

Fixing a leak that originates from the tank bottom is more than a patch—it’s a holistic process that safeguards public health in rural America by combining engineering skill, materials science, and regulatory oversight. Ultimately, getting a water tower leak fixed—especially from the water tower bottom—protects not just infrastructure, but entire communities.

If your municipality’s water tower requires repair, contact the water tank and tower experts at Cunningham Sandblasting & Painting Co. to schedule an on-site visit at (620) 848-3030.