Water 2050 Sustainability, the Race to Net Zero Emissions - How Can We Evaluate and Select Options for Coating and Lining Water Tanks, Piping and Treatment Facilities to Reduce Carbon Now

In 2022, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) began a series of “Think Tanks” composed of influential leaders in the water industry tasked with establishing a long-term vision of the future of water. The first of these think tanks was “Water 2050 Sustainability”. One of the focus areas that the group established was a roadmap to “the race to net zero emissions”. This initiative will require a review of utility facility maintenance (water tanks, piping, treatment facilities) procedures – specifically coating and lining. Historically, coating and lining projects had some significant environmental impacts, but technological advancements have significantly reduced these issues. This review will require far more than evaluating what is in the bucket of paint, but true carbon emission reduction over the life of the structures must look at life cycle of the maintenance, application methods, amount of time to complete the maintenance as well as the contents of the bucket. This paper provides a framework to evaluate and select the maintenance painting and lining option that moves toward zero carbon emissions.