Water storage tank owners have a viable source of revenue available to them and potential new headaches--the installation of antennas on their tanks. Wireless communications companies, faced with increased land costs, are vying for space on elevated structures from water tanks to church steeples. Wireless communications companies will compensate tank owners for the privilege of renting space on water towers and often there are more than one company’s antenna equipment mounted on a water tank. If the antenna support structure is not properly designed and installed, the operation, maintenance, and possibly structural integrity of the water tank itself can be jeopardized.

What types of maintenance problems do tank owners with antenna installations face? Are there solutions to these problems? What role does advanced planning play in the maintainability of the water tank after the antennas are installed?

This presentation will alert tank owners and operators to the potential risks and benefits of cellular antenna installation. It will provide a practical checklist of important considerations. Real life examples of various types of installations--the good, the bad, and the ugly--will be featured during this presentation. Solutions to typical problems will be discussed, and the importance of pre-planning will be emphasized.

Allowing cellular antennas to be mounted on your water tower can be a win-win situation, providing the installation is properly planned and executed.