By Echo Menges
EDINA, Mo. (Sept. 2, 2024) – The City of Edina’s water tower maintenance project is well underway. Equipment began arriving in Edina last week, on Monday morning, Aug. 26, along with a crew from Viking Industrial Painting, which is based in Nebraska.
Edina’s water tower stands approximately 127 feet tall, according to Matthew Suhadolc, engineer for Klingner & Associates, who is overseeing the project.
The 200,000-gallon water tower was completely emptied the weeks before the maintenance project began.
Over the course of the project, the tower will be sandblasted inside and outside in three phases: inside wet, inside dry, and outside. This will include the water tank and the base of the tower.
The sandblasting portion of the project will be followed by a new coat of paint inside and outside.
Since the arrival of the crew, the tower has been fitted with a special containment barrier, a circular curtain that can be raised and lowered, designed to contain most of the exterior sandblasting and painting material.
Suhadolc said Viking Industrial Painting hopes to have the project completed in approximately 60 days; however, the project could take up to 180 days from the time the Edina City Council approved the contract in mid-July. Inclement and windy weather will also be a factor that can affect the project timeline.
Citizens are asked to remain outside the cones set up around the water tower throughout the length of the project as a safety precaution.
