By: Nick Jones, Induron Sales & Service Representative
In rural communities across Louisiana, water infrastructure is more than a utility. Water infrastructure is a direct reflection of public health, regulatory compliance, and community pride. For small systems with limited resources, maintaining aging assets while meeting increasing regulatory expectations can be a constant balancing act.
The Village of Simpson, Louisiana, offers a compelling example of how proactive planning, strategic partnerships, and well-executed rehabilitation can extend the life of critical infrastructure while supporting long-term system performance. Faced with an aging elevated water storage tank in need of attention, the Village of Simpson took a forward-looking approach to prioritize rehabilitation before failure, rather than reacting to costly emergency repairs.
A Critical Asset in Need of Rehabilitation
The Village of Simpson relies on its elevated water storage tank to deliver safe, clean drinking water to residents. Like many small systems across the state, the tank had reached a point where continued serviceability depended on intervention.
Over time, interior and exterior coatings on steel water tanks degrade due to constant exposure to moisture, oxygen, UV radiation, and environmental contaminants. Without proper protection, corrosion can compromise both water quality and structural integrity.
In the Village of Simpson’s case, the rehabilitation project was not only about preserving infrastructure but also essential for maintaining compliance with sanitary survey requirements and protecting the Village’s “A” water system rating. These ratings are critical indicators of system performance and directly impact public trust and regulatory standing.
From Inspection to Action: The Value of Planning Ahead
A key differentiator in the Village of Simpson project was the emphasis on proactive inspection and planning. Rather than waiting for visible failure or emergency conditions, the Village of Simpson worked in partnership with Maguire to assess the condition of the tank and develop a rehabilitation strategy.
This approach reflects a broader best practice in water system management: routine inspections paired with long-term asset planning. Early identification of coating breakdown, corrosion, or structural concerns allows municipalities to:
- Budget more effectively for capital improvements
- Avoid unplanned outages or emergency repairs
- Maintain compliance with regulatory standards
- Extend the service life of existing assets
For smaller Louisiana communities, where funding is often limited, this proactive model can make the difference between manageable maintenance and disruptive, high-cost failures.
As Teddy Krein, Maguire Tank Expert for East Texas and Louisiana, explained: “In this region, the systems that stay ahead of problems are the ones that prioritize routine inspections and planned maintenance. Once corrosion becomes visible, you’re already behind. Proactive rehabilitation allows communities to control costs, maintain compliance, and extend the life of assets that are critical to everyday service.”
Coating Systems Designed for Performance and Compliance
At the core of the rehabilitation effort was the application of high-performance coating systems specified by Induron Protective Coatings to protect both the interior and exterior of the tank.
Interior: Protecting Water Quality
For the steel interior in contact with potable water, a ceramic epoxy system was specified to provide long-term corrosion protection while meeting strict regulatory requirements.The system incorporated Induron’s Ceramaprime® ceramic epoxy primer, followed by a high-build epoxylining using Induron’s PE-70 NSF-certified epoxy system.
The full system included:
- Surface Preparation: SSPC-SP10 Near White Blast Cleaning to ensure optimal adhesion
- Primer: Ceramaprime applied at 3.0–4.0 mils dry film thickness (DFT), providing a durable, surface-tolerant foundation
- Stripe Coat: PE-70 applied to welds, seams, and edges to reinforce critical areas prone to premature failure
- Finish Coat: PE-70 applied to achieve a total system thickness of approximately 8.0 mils
Both coatings are ANSI/NSF 61/600 certified, ensuring compliance for potable water contact applications.This multi-coat, thin-film system provides a barrier against corrosion while maintaining water quality, which is an essential combination for municipalities working to meet both operational and regulatory expectations.
Exterior: Durability and Aesthetics
On the exterior, the tank was coated with a mastic epoxy and aliphatic polyurethane system, utilizing Induron’s Induramastic® 85 and Indurathane® 6600.
The system included:
- Surface Preparation: Pressure washing to remove contaminants and prepare the substrate
- Primer and Spot Treatment: Induramastic 85 applied at 3–5 mils DFT, offering strong adhesion and surface tolerance for aged steel
- Intermediate/Build Coat: Additional application of Induramastic 85 to reinforce film build and corrosion resistance
- Finish Coat: Indurathane 6600 applied at 2.0–3.0 mils DFT, delivering long-term UV resistance, color retention, and durability
This combination provides excellent protection against Louisiana’s harsh environmental conditions, including intense sunlight, humidity, and frequent rainfall. Equally important, the polyurethane finish enhanced the visual appearance of the structure. Located directly behind the Village Hall, the water tower is a prominent feature of the community. Its restoration not only protects the asset but also contributes to the overall aesthetic of the area.
Balancing Budget, Performance, and Community Impact
One of the most significant challenges for small water systems is completing necessary infrastructure work within tight financial constraints. In the Village of Simpson, the project team focused on delivering a solution that was both cost-effective and sustainable.
By selecting proven coating systems, the Village of Simpson invested in materials designed to maximize service life and minimize future maintenance needs. Additionally, addressing the tank’s condition before major deterioration occurred helped the Village of Simpson avoid more extensive (and expensive) repairs. Careful planning also minimized operational disruptions, ensuring continued water service to residents throughout the project.
This balance between cost, performance, and service continuity is essential for rural systems, where even minor disruptions can have outsized impacts on the community.
The Role of Partnerships in Successful Rehabilitation
Overall, the Village of Simpson project underscores the importance of strong partnerships between municipalities, contractors, and technical experts. Rather than approaching the project as a one-time construction effort, the collaboration between the Village of Simpson and Maguire emphasized:
- Clear communication throughout the project lifecycle
- Thorough inspection and documentation of existing conditions
- Tailored recommendations based on system needs and budget
- Execution aligned with long-term asset management goals
By incorporating coating expertise into the planning phase—not just the application phase—the team was able to align material selection and specifications with the Village of Simpson’s long-term performance goals.
Mayor Vickie Standifer emphasized the importance of this collaborative approach, noting: “Such a knowledgeable, professional team to work with — love our working partnership with Maguire.”
Lessons for Rural Water Systems Across Louisiana
The challenges faced by the Village of Simpson are not unique. Across Louisiana, many small and rural systems are navigating:
- Aging infrastructure approaching or exceeding design life
- Limited funding for capital improvements
- Increasing regulatory oversight and compliance requirements
- Environmental conditions that accelerate asset deterioration
The Village of Simpson project offers several key takeaways for similar communities:
- Prioritize Routine Inspections: Regular inspections provide critical insight into the asset’s condition and allow for early intervention.
- Plan for Rehabilitation, Not Replacement: Coating rehabilitation, particularly with high-performance epoxy and polyurethane systems, can significantly extend the life of existing infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
- Align Projects with Regulatory Goals: Using NSF-certified coating systems supports compliance with sanitary surveys and helps maintain high system ratings.
- Invest in Proven Materials: Field-tested systems like ceramic epoxies and high-solids polyurethane topcoats provide long-term durability in demanding environments.
- Work with Experienced Partners: Collaborative teams that bring technical expertise and practical experience can help guide projects from inspection through full rehabilitation.
Looking Ahead: Building Resilient Water Systems
As Louisiana’s water systems continue to evolve, the importance of proactive asset management will only grow. Rehabilitation projects like the one in the Village of Simpson demonstrate that even small communities can successfully navigate infrastructure challenges with the right approach.
By combining routine inspection, strategic planning, and high-quality coating systems, municipalities can extend the life of critical assets, maintain regulatory compliance, and deliver reliable service to their residents.
In the end, projects like the Village of Simpson’s are about more than coatings or construction. They are about sustaining the infrastructure that communities depend on every day—safely, efficiently, and for the long term.