Tailem Bend Water Tower

South Australia

SA Water

Concrete repair, Polyurethane Injection, Anti Carbonation Coating

The Tailem Bend water tower is a prominent landmark that dominates the skyline of the regional town of Tailem Bend. Constructed of concrete, the water tower plays a vital role in servicing the large town of Tailem Bend. It is strategically located next to the Tailem Bend Hospital and perched atop a cliff overlooking the River Murray. Tailem Bend is a medium-sized town situated on the cliffs that abut the Murray River floodplain, occupying a key position where the Princes, Dukes, and Mallee Highways intersect. The town, surveyed in the late 1800s, originally grew around the railway junction but has evolved into a service town for the highways that pass through it. It is notably the first town that motorists encounter when heading east from Adelaide.

Years of neglect had left the water tower in a seriously poor condition, with extensive corrosion within its structure, water leaking through the concrete walls of the tank, and spalling of concrete at all window openings. These issues compromised the tower's integrity and functionality, necessitating a comprehensive rehabilitation project to restore and extend its operational life.

Fulton Hogan operated as the principal contractor for the rehabilitation project, with our team at Portolesi Structural performing all the works. This included safety management, quality management, testing, methodologies, material specification, and programming. The project presented several challenges, including addressing the extensive corrosion and concrete degradation while ensuring the safety of our workers and the surrounding environment. The rehabilitation process began with a thorough assessment of the water tower's condition. Our team conducted detailed inspections to identify all areas of corrosion and damage. This assessment was crucial for developing an effective remediation strategy that would restore the tower to a 'better than new' condition. The repair works involved removing the damaged concrete, treating the corroded steel reinforcements, and applying high-quality repair materials to restore the structural integrity of the tower.

Concrete waterproofing the walls was another critical aspect of the rehabilitation. The existing leaks through the concrete walls had to be sealed to prevent future water ingress and protect the structure from further deterioration. Advanced waterproofing techniques and materials were employed to ensure long-lasting protection and durability.

The concrete spalling at the window openings posed additional challenges. These areas required careful repair to prevent further damage and maintain the structural stability of the tower. Our team used specialised repair mortars and techniques to restore these openings to their original condition, ensuring they could withstand the environmental stresses they are exposed to.

Throughout the project, stringent safety and quality management protocols were followed. Our team's commitment to safety ensured that all works were carried out without incident, protecting both our workers and the surrounding community. Quality management was equally important, with regular inspections and testing conducted to ensure that all repairs met the highest standards of workmanship and durability.

The successful completion of the Tailem Bend water tower rehabilitation project is a testament to the expertise and dedication of our team. The tower was fully rehabilitated to a 'better than new' condition, significantly extending its life expectancy by over 50 years. This project not only restored a critical piece of infrastructure for the town of Tailem Bend but also preserved an iconic landmark for future generations.

In conclusion, the Tailem Bend water tower rehabilitation project highlights the importance of specialised civil contracting skills in maintaining and restoring vital infrastructure. Portolesi Structural's ability to deliver high-quality, durable solutions in challenging conditions underscores our commitment to excellence and our role in supporting the sustainability and resilience of regional communities.