NOTIFICATION: Bear Tank Maintenance Project Planned

August 8, 2018

RE:NOTIFICATION: Bear Tank Maintenance Project Planned 601A Nanticoke Place, Bear, Delaware

Artesian Water strives to provide our valued customers with superior service and safe, reliable drinking water at an affordable price. Our commitment to service includes regular maintenance of our facilities and keeping the communities we serve updated about projects planned in our service area.

Our water tank located at 601A Nanticoke Place in Bear is scheduled for routine painting of the exterior and interior to ensure its continued integrity. To perform the maintenance, the tank will be drained of existing water. When the work is completed and the tank refilled, the water will be tested before the tank is put back in service.

These activities will not impact water service.

Anticipated Schedule

Our contractor, Worldwide Industries Corporation, will mobilize personnel and equipment to the site starting on or about the week of September 3rd. The work is anticipated to be completed in approximately three months, weather permitting.

Work hours will be weekdays, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday work may be performed, as needed.

What You Can Expect To See

Before work can begin, cellular companies will relocate their antennas, currently on the tank, to a temporary mobile structure.

The top half of the exterior of the tank has a lead-based coating that must be properly removed before new paint can be applied. Our contractor will prepare the site for paint removal by placing a protective groundcover around the tank and establishing temporary air monitors around the site perimeter. Air monitoring will continue throughout the work, and soil sampling will be conducted before the project begins and after it is completed.

Our contractor is certified by the Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) in De-Leading of Industrial Structures and will be responsible for the onsite handling, storage and proper disposal of the materials in accordance with Federal Regulation No. 40 CFR 262.30. To prevent paint particles from becoming airborne, most of the coating from the exterior will be removed using a state-of-the-art, vacuum technology that can be operated remotely by personnel at the site.

All work will comply with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) existing regulations and proposed 2018 regulations, as well as all federal regulations.

For More Information

If you have additional questions, or concerns about this project, please call our Customer Service Department at 302-453-6930 or 800-332-5114. If we are unable to address your concerns, you may also contact DNREC at 800-662-8802.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Penman Jr.

Robert E. Penman, Jr. Director of Operations

Why is tank maintenance needed?

Artesian strives to provide customers with superior service and safe, reliable drinking water at an affordable price. Our commitment to service includes regular maintenance. Water tanks require routine maintenance, including painting, to maintain their integrity. The current project will remove a lead-based coating on the exterior of the tank and repaint the tank. Other maintenance, including silt removal, will occur on the interior of the water tank.

Why does only the top half of the exterior of the tank contain a lead-based coating?

In 2001, only the bottom half of the exterior of the tank was repainted and the lead-based coating was removed. This year, the maintenance program will repaint the entire exterior of the tank and thus remove the remainder of the lead coating from the tank. The tank will be completely repainted with a lead-free coating. There is no lead-based coating inside the tank.

Are other Artesian projects, including water tanks, receiving the same maintenance?

Yes. Artesian's tank and facilities maintenance program is an on-going process. Water tanks typically require repainting every twenty years.

What will be done to protect nearby residents and properties?

Artesian is committed to the protection of public health and safety, the environment and private and public property.

As required by Artesian, the contractor will comply with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) current and proposed 2018 regulations, as well as all federal regulations. Soil sampling will be performed before the project begins and after it is completed. Perimeter air monitors will be established between the work site and nearby residences and will continuously sample the air quality for particulates while work is in progress. The monitoring results will be provided to DNREC.

Is the Artesian contractor experienced in handling lead and removing paint?

Yes. Our contractor, Worldwide Industries Corporation, is certified by the Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) in De-Leading of Industrial Structures and will be responsible for the onsite handling, storage and proper disposal of the materials. The SSPC is an industry organization that sets standards for applying and removing coatings. To become certified, companies and their workers must take courses and pass industry exams in the best practices for coatings. All work will comply with DNREC current and 2018 proposed regulations, as well as all federal regulations.

How could the weather impact the schedule?

Rain and freezing temperatures can delay the repainting project. If cold weather conditions cause substantial delays, repainting of the tank could be delayed to spring 2019 and warmer temperatures.

Will my cell service be interrupted or suffer from the relocation of the antennas?

Cell phone carriers will move their antennas from the tank to a temporary mobile structure. If you have a concern regarding your cell service, please contact your service provider.