The City of Asbury, Iowa, is one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa.  A suburb of Dubuque, the population in Asbury has nearly doubled in the last 20 years.  After completing a water system analysis report and water system modeling, it was determined the City needed additional water storage to better serve the community.  The operator reported that during peak water usage in summer months, the City’s existing elevated storage tank would empty quickly and the City would become very dependent on well source water.

The City commissioned MSA to design a 500,000-gallon tank to be located along Asbury Road and near the City’s new municipal building. With the high visibility location, the City decided to pursue a composite-style tank that would be both visually appealing and have lower maintenance costs. The Asbury Park Elevated Storage Tank is taller than average, standing approximately 180 feet tall.

The Asbury Park Elevated Storage Tank project was one contract out of four total contracts to make up the City of Asbury Water System Improvements project.  In addition to the elevated storage tank, the City also pursued water main looping, a new well, wellhouse and SCADA upgrades. MSA assisted the City of Asbury in applying for a low-interest State Revolving Fund Loan by providing reports, cost estimates, design and permitting efforts, as well as construction-related services for all four water system improvement contracts.  MSA conducted on-site wage interviews, payroll review, and reviewed the project for compliance with American Iron and Steel requirements.

During construction, there was extensive coordination needed between all of the water system improvement contracts.  MSA worked to communicate with all contractors to confirm the sequence of construction was reasonable.  For example, in the midst of construction, the County approached the City about the potential to locate an emergency communications facility at the new elevated storage tank.  MSA acted quickly to work with the tank contractor and make the necessary field changes to support such a facility in the future.  The accommodations included additional electrical conduit, a raised concrete pad within the tank, and considerations for a standby power source.

Upon completion of the Asbury Park Elevated Storage Tank, the City has enjoyed the enhanced flexibility and redundancy that a sister elevated storage tank provides.  Not only is the City now positioned to provide increased water volume to its customers, it was also able to take its existing elevated storage tank offline for maintenance and repainting in the spring of 2019.