City of Duncan Water Tank Remediation
Graffiti & Calcium Removal — Duncan, BC
MCL Group from Alberta hired Ocean Pacific Media Blasting to complete surface preparation work on municipal water storage tanks as part of a Duncan infrastructure project.
The tanks required thorough cleaning prior to the installation of a new heavy-duty membrane lining designed to protect the city’s drinking water from future contamination.
Because these tanks are a critical part of the municipal water system, surface preparation had to be completed to a high standard, with zero tolerance for incomplete cleaning or surface damage.
Graffiti and Calcium Build-Up on Municipal Infrastructure
Over time, the exterior and interior tank surfaces had accumulated heavy graffiti and calcium deposits. Calcium buildup is common in water storage facilities and can mask underlying defects such as cracks, surface deterioration, or structural issues.
Before any new lining system could be applied, all surface contaminants needed to be completely removed to allow for inspection and repair.
The scope of surface contamination included:
Heavy graffiti on tank surfaces
Thick calcium scale buildup
Mineral deposits bonded to concrete and steel
Areas requiring inspection for structural cracks
Media Blasting for Inspection and Preparation
Ocean Pacific utilized controlled abrasive blasting to remove graffiti and calcium deposits without damaging the underlying tank surfaces. Media blasting was selected for its ability to clean thoroughly while maintaining surface integrity—an essential requirement for potable water infrastructure.
The blasting process exposed the true condition of the tanks, allowing inspection teams to identify any cracks or areas requiring repair prior to lining installation.
Key objectives of the blasting process included:
Complete removal of graffiti and mineral buildup
Exposure of surface defects for inspection
Proper surface profile for membrane adhesion
Preparation without introducing contaminants
Supporting Safe Drinking Water Infrastructure
Once blasting was complete, the tanks were left clean, uniform, and ready for the next phase of the project. With all calcium deposits and surface contaminants removed, MCL Group’s team was able to proceed with installing a heavy membrane lining designed to protect the city’s drinking water supply.
This preparation step was critical to ensuring the membrane system would bond correctly and provide long-term protection against contamination, leaks, and structural degradation.
Project Outcome and Value
By using professional abrasive blasting instead of mechanical scraping or chemical cleaning, the project achieved superior results in less time while protecting the integrity of the tanks. The process allowed early detection of potential cracks, reducing the risk of future failures and supporting long-term infrastructure reliability.
This project highlights the importance of proper surface preparation in municipal water systems—where cleanliness, inspection accuracy, and coating performance directly impact public health and safety.
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Project Brief
Media blasting removed graffiti and calcium buildup from municipal water tanks prior to inspection and lining.
Client Name
MCL Group
Category
Surface Cleaning Project
Location
Duncan, BC, Canada
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