Water is the very essence of life, the foundation of public health, agricultural prosperity, and industrial growth. In regions facing varied climates and increasing demands, the provision of robust and reliable water infrastructure becomes paramount. Kenya, a nation characterized by its diverse landscapes, growing population, and ambitious development goals, faces the critical challenge of ensuring consistent access to water, particularly from ground and borehole sources. In 2022, Center Enamel played a pivotal role in strengthening Kenya's water infrastructure by delivering and successfully overseeing the installation of two state-of-the-art Drilling Water Storage Tanks. Each of these high-capacity tanks measures ϕ27.52m in diameter and 7.2m in height, collectively providing a substantial storage volume of 2×4280m3, totaling an impressive 8560m3. This substantial capacity underscores the project's dedication to securing vital water resources for communities, agriculture, and industry. Complementing these robust tanks, Center Enamel also supplied highly durable Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs, meticulously chosen to protect the stored water's quality and ensure its continuous availability. This comprehensive solution significantly enhances water resilience in Kenya, further solidifying Center Enamel’s position as a global leader in providing high-performance, bolted tank solutions that meet the most stringent international standards for water infrastructure longevity and reliability.
Kenya's water landscape is characterized by a reliance on diverse sources, with groundwater accessed through boreholes and wells playing a critical role, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. While drilling provides essential access to water, its effective storage is crucial for managing supply variations, ensuring consistent availability, and safeguarding water quality for various applications. The challenges inherent in managing drilling water necessitate robust storage solutions:
· Supply Reliability and Seasonal Fluctuations: Groundwater levels can fluctuate seasonally, and boreholes might not always yield a consistent flow. Large-scale storage tanks act as buffers, accumulating water during periods of high yield to ensure continuous supply during dry spells, which are common in many parts of Kenya. This is vital for sustaining communities, livestock, and agricultural irrigation.
· Protection from External Contamination: Even for raw or industrial water, open or inadequately covered storage can lead to contamination from airborne dust, leaves, insects, birds, and other environmental pollutants. This compromises the water's suitability for its intended use, whether for irrigation, industrial processes, or as a source for further treatment.
· Durability in Harsh Environments: Storage tanks in Kenya are exposed to diverse and often challenging climatic conditions, including intense UV radiation, high temperatures, dust storms, and heavy rainfall in certain seasons. The tank materials and structure must withstand these elements for decades without degrading, corroding, or compromising structural integrity.
· Security and Preservation: Stored water, especially in large volumes, represents a critical asset that must be protected from unauthorized access, vandalism, or deliberate tampering. A secure and enclosed storage system ensures the safety and availability of the resource.
· Efficient Distribution: Large storage capacities enable efficient gravity-fed or pumped distribution to end-users, minimizing operational costs and ensuring timely access.
For the Kenya Drilling Water Storage Project, Center Enamel delivered advanced bolted tanks designed for superior performance and longevity in demanding applications. While drilling water can vary, our core offering for such projects typically leverages the advanced technology of Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) tanks, or in some scenarios, Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) tanks, due to their inherent advantages. For this specific project, the emphasis on robust, long-term storage in challenging environments strongly points to the benefits of GFS tanks, which form a cornerstone of our water storage solutions globally.
Here's why Center Enamel's bolted tanks, particularly GFS, are ideal for Drilling Water Storage Tanks:
· Superior Corrosion Resistance: Drilling water can sometimes be chemically aggressive due to dissolved minerals or varying pH levels. Center Enamel's GFS tanks feature a vitreous enamel coating that is thermally fused to the steel. This creates an incredibly hard, inert, and impermeable barrier that offers exceptional resistance to internal corrosion from various water chemistries. Unlike conventional painted steel tanks that require frequent re-coating, GFS tanks provide long-term, maintenance-free corrosion protection, crucial for decades of reliable service in Kenya's varied environments.
· Exceptional Durability & Longevity: GFS tanks combine the high strength and flexibility of steel with the chemical resistance and hardness of glass. This composite material is engineered to withstand significant hydrostatic pressures exerted by the stored water, along with external loads from wind and potential seismic activity. Designed for an exceptionally long operational lifespan, these tanks represent a sustainable and highly cost-effective long-term infrastructure investment.
· Enhanced Hygiene (Even for Raw Water): The smooth, non-porous glass surface of GFS tanks inherently minimizes the adhesion and growth of algae, bacteria, and biofilm. While drilling water may not always be potable initially, maintaining a cleaner storage environment reduces the risk of further microbial contamination and simplifies future cleaning or treatment processes, enhancing overall water quality management.
· Rapid and Efficient Installation: Center Enamel's bolted tank design allows for significantly faster and safer on-site assembly compared to traditional field-welded steel tanks or time-consuming cast-in-place concrete structures. Our prefabricated GFS panels are easily transported and erected, dramatically reducing project timelines, minimizing labor costs, and lessening disruption. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for projects in remote or challenging locations within Kenya, where access to heavy equipment or specialized labor might be limited.
· Cost-Effectiveness Over Lifespan: While the initial investment in a high-quality GFS tank is competitive, their extended operational lifespan, minimal maintenance requirements (no need for re-painting or internal lining inspections), and prevention of water loss translate into substantial lifecycle cost savings. This makes them a more economical choice over the entire project lifecycle compared to traditional alternatives that incur significant recurring maintenance expenses.
For the Kenya Drilling Water Storage Project, the two tanks, each measuring ϕ27.52m in diameter and 7.2m in height, with a capacity of 4280m3 each, represent a substantial total storage of 8560m3. This large volume capacity is critical for providing a reliable and stable water supply to the regions served, demonstrating the project's commitment to robust water resource management
To complement the robust bolted tanks at the Kenya Drilling Water Storage Project, Center Enamel meticulously provided highly durable Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs. The roof of any water storage tank is as crucial as its shell, serving as the primary barrier against external elements and contaminants, playing a vital role in safeguarding the stored water's quality and the tank’s overall integrity:
· Exceptional Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum alloy is inherently resistant to rust and atmospheric corrosion. This natural passivity makes it an ideal material for long-term outdoor exposure in varying climates, including those with high humidity, rainfall, or intense UV radiation common in Kenya. Unlike steel roofs that require periodic painting and maintenance to prevent corrosion, aluminum alloy roofs offer a truly maintenance-free and long-lasting cover.
· UV Resistance & Algae Prevention: Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs effectively block harmful UV radiation from reaching the stored water. This is crucial for preventing the growth of algae and other photosynthetic microorganisms, which thrive in sunlight and can compromise water quality, clog distribution systems, and lead to undesirable tastes or odors, even in raw drilling water. By eliminating UV light, these roofs actively contribute to maintaining the water's condition.
· Airtight Seal and Contamination Control: The precision-engineered design of Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs creates an effective, airtight seal over the tank. This barrier prevents the ingress of dust, debris, insects, birds, and other airborne contaminants that could compromise water purity, maintaining a hygienic internal environment, even for non-potable drilling water.
· Low Maintenance: Due to aluminum's inherent corrosion resistance and the roof's robust design, Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs require minimal maintenance over their extended lifespan, significantly reducing operational costs and ensuring continuous protection without frequent interventions.
· Center Enamel's Expertise in Aluminum Roofs: Center Enamel has extensive experience in engineering and manufacturing various aluminum roof types, including geodesic domes and trough deck designs. This ensures that the Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs supplied for the Kenya Drilling Water Storage Project were perfectly integrated and optimized for performance and longevity, specifically tailored for the local conditions and application.
Center Enamel has consistently pioneered advancements in storage technology. We are recognized as the most experienced professional bolted tanks and covering manufacturer in Asia, a testament to our continuous innovation, dedicated professional enameling R&D team, and substantial patent portfolio in advanced tank construction and coating technologies. Our comprehensive product portfolio includes Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) tanks, Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) tanks, stainless steel tanks, and galvanized steel tanks, suitable for a wide array of industrial, municipal, and agricultural water applications. Our expertise also covers various high-performance roof solutions, including the Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs supplied for the Kenya Drilling Water Storage Project, as well as aluminum geodesic dome roofs and double membrane roofs.
Center Enamel's commitment to quality is ingrained in every stage of our manufacturing process. We adhere to the most stringent international standards, which is paramount for critical water infrastructure. Our comprehensive certifications, including ISO9001 for quality management, EN1090 for the execution of steel structures (critical for tank fabrication and roof components), and ISO28765 for vitreous and porcelain enamels (for GFS tanks), provide undeniable verification of our manufacturing excellence, safety standards, and product reliability. We also hold FM Global approvals (relevant for industrial safety) and other certifications like LFGB, BSCI, and ISO 45001.
Our global footprint, with successful exports to over 100 countries, testifies to our international reputation for exceptional quality and consistently reliable service. The Kenya Drilling Water Storage Project is another powerful testament to Center Enamel's capability to deliver complex, high-capacity, and critically important storage solutions in diverse environments, cementing our role as a trusted partner for communities and governments seeking to provide safe and sustainable water access globally. We pride ourselves on fostering enduring partnerships by providing tailored, high-integrity solutions that meet the specific and evolving needs of our clients.
The Kenya Drilling Water Storage Project stands as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of modern, resilient Drilling Water Storage Tanks on national water security and community well-being. By providing two state-of-the-art bolted tanks, combined with durable Aluminum Alloy Trough Deck Roofs, Center Enamel has directly contributed to securing a vital resource for the region's population, enhancing their quality of life and fostering a more resilient future.
These tanks exemplify how advanced bolted tank technology, backed by Center Enamel's extensive expertise as a GFS pioneer and comprehensive certifications, surpasses the limitations of traditional solutions. They offer superior corrosion resistance, structural integrity, rapid installation, and minimal long-term maintenance, ensuring a continuous supply of clean, secure drilling water, even amidst environmental complexities. For communities and governments worldwide committed to achieving reliable access to water resources and building resilient infrastructure, trust Center Enamel to provide the robust, safe, and expertly engineered storage infrastructure that forms the ultimate foundation for public health and prosperity. Contact us today to explore how our tailored solutions can elevate your water supply strategy.