Shenandoah, Iowa

On the 28th, we drove to Shenandoah, Iowa to inspect three tanks at their water plant.  Two of the tanks were old - built circa 1934, and the water works plumbing didn't appear much newer.  This resulted in some quirky aspects to the job.

The two old tanks were side entry, which is challenging because the diver had to enter the tank with all of his gear on through a port hole.  Our gear (dry suit, 35 lb. helmet, 100 feet of umbilical) isn't designed to easily push through a horizontal hatch that's four feet off the floor.  Like many other jobs, we completed this one by improvising.

The third tank was a large underground tank, which was an easy setup and inspect. 

Since all three tanks were located on the same property, we were able to complete inspections on all three by 1:00 in the afternoon.

From there, we drove to Boone, Iowa to stay the night for our next job.

This water works building was built in the 1930s and resembled something from an old fashioned suspense film.  There were pipes going everywhere, and doors with glass windows labeled "LABORATORY" and other interesting labels. 

This was my first experience with side entry tanks.  They were a unique challenge - I'm glad I wasn't the one diving them.

A blurry picture, yes, but one of the few I've been able to snap of a diver in a tank.

The strap going from the post to the hatch is holding the ladder... which we dropped in the second tank and had to recover after the diver went in. 



Pipes EVERYWHERE!



This valve was leaking pretty good - you can see water flowing out the top.  There were many leaks in this plant. 

You are looking at vice grips that are holding a valve shut.  Based on the surface corrosion, I'm certain they'd been there for years. 

The third tank was a newer underground tank outside the water plant.

The tank is under this lawn.

After work, we went out to dinner at a buffet called Pizza Ranch.  Their sign made me chuckle... made me wish I had my "lil cowpoke" with me.