“That is one of the biggest challenges we face today,” said Mike Elliott, associate partner and project manager with CIMA+. “Clamps used to attach the antennas to guardrails on the tank dig into the existing coatings causing corrosion and rust.”

On the 3.8-million L (1-million gal) composite tank in Chatham-Kent, Ont., 15 cellular antennas were attached to a guardrail encircling the structure. The lease agreement for the water tower provided for the removal of the antennas to accommodate the recoating project. CIMA+ also designed a stainless steel antenna support structure allowing the antennas to be bolted to the top of the tank after the project was completed.

Concerns over the cellular antenna issue were echoed by Region of Peel’s Anthony Parente, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). “When we put up new tanks, we want to ensure they can accommodate the cell phone industry, while covering the capital cost associated with doing that,” he explained.

Elliott and Parente emphasized municipalities need to address the removal of cellular antennas for major renovation projects in their lease agreements with communications companies.

“Dedicated antenna support structures are another trend,” Elliott added. “When a major recoating project is required, the support structure can be removed and placed on the ground where it is not in the way of scaffolding or coating crews. When the work is finished, the support structure and antennas can be craned back up to the top of the tank.”