Posted on April 27, 2026 by Brent Phillips

Climate change is already stressing Midwest water infrastructure, and elevated assets in storm corridors across the Southern United States and Midwest regions sit on the front line. Choosing the right protective coatings is now a core risk-management decision, not just a paint-color choice.

Why Protective Coatings Matter for Storm-Ready Assets

Every water tower and water tank in service today must withstand higher winds, wider temperature swings, and more intense precipitation than the systems they replaced. Without modern coatings, exposed steel and concrete can deteriorate quickly, threatening structural integrity and water quality. For municipalities, that deterioration manifests as unplanned outages, emergency repairs, and shortened asset lifespans rather than climate-resilient performance.

Key risks when coatings fail include:

• Accelerated corrosion on steel shells, legs, and welds.
• Loss of interior liner integrity, increasing contamination risk.
• Freeze–thaw damage to concrete pedestals and foundations.
• Higher lifecycle costs due to frequent spot repairs and recoats.
• Non-compliance with inspection findings and state regulatory expectations.

Best Protective Coatings for Tanks and Towers

Municipal water managers now lean on coating systems designed specifically for potable water and exterior weather extremes. NSF/ANSI 61–compliant epoxy linings are widely used on the inside of potable tanks to control leaching and support corrosion resistance in continuous immersion. On exteriors, zinc-rich primers, high-build epoxies, and UV-stable polyurethane or fluoropolymer topcoats create a multilayer barrier that performs under hail, wind-driven rain, and intense sun.

A well-specified system for a water tower or groundwater tank typically:

• Separates interior potable-water linings from exterior weather coats.
• Uses zinc or other sacrificial primers to slow underfilm corrosion.
• Builds enough total dry film thickness to resist impact and abrasion.
• Relies on UV-resistant topcoats to reduce chalking and color fade.
• Matches chemistry to local conditions, such as deicing salts and humidity.

Designing a Storm-Ready Protective Coating System

Designing a storm-ready system starts with a structured condition assessment rather than simply adding another layer of paint. State inspection guidance requires documenting rusting, coating holidays, leaks, and structural defects before specifying repairs and coatings. From there, engineers and contractors define surface-preparation standards, select appropriate blasting methods, and design a coatings sequence that tolerates local temperature and humidity windows during application.

Inspecting and Maintaining Water Tower Coatings

Regular inspection is the only way to verify that existing coatings continue to deliver corrosion resistance in real-world service. Missouri’s own guidance for water storage facilities emphasizes routine checks for leaks, coating breakdown, weld cracking, and ladder or riser deterioration on towers and tanks. Interior tank inspections also help utilities track sediment, corrosion products, and biofilm accumulation that can undermine water quality. This allows city water managers to time maintenance and recoats before minor defects escalate into structural problems or regulatory violations.

Next-Gen Protective Coatings for Extreme Weather

Research and industry trials are bringing advanced systems, such as high-build polyurea and self-healing linings, into mainstream water infrastructure work. These next-generation protective coatings combine rapid cure times with elastic, crack-bridging behavior, helping assets stay climate-resilient under repeated thermal cycling and mechanical stress. For communities facing more frequent extreme events, these technologies can extend service life, reduce downtime, and support long-term capital planning goals.

Cunningham Sandblasting & Painting Co., based in Joplin, Missouri, partners with municipalities to keep every water tower and water tank in the region storm-ready and performing at its best. Cunningham’s teams understand current inspection standards, surface-preparation requirements, and modern coating technologies for potable-water service. Call today to schedule a comprehensive inspection and detailed recoating proposal for your community’s water infrastructure so your tanks and towers are ready for the next storm season—not just the last one.