Elevated Storage Tanks Project

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2025

ELEVATED STORAGE TANKS PROJECT

The City of Laurinburg is preparing to perform much-needed maintenance on several of the City’s elevated tanks. Cleaning and repainting will be conducted on the tanks on Caledonia Rd, 401 S at Purcell Rd and 401 N at Heck Norton Rd. This work is being performed by an outside painting contractor who specializes in elevated tank maintenance and painting. During painting operations, it is the contractor’s responsibility to protect adjacent property from damage and protect the safety of their workers. In some cases, these protections include draping a cloth canopy over the tank to prevent paint splatter and in some cases cellular or radio equipment must be removed or de-energized to protect workers from unsafe radio frequency (RF) energy. Equipment on 401 S / Purcell tank includes three cellular carriers and Carolina Wireless Broadband, Inc. Equipment on the Caledonia tank includes Carolina Wireless Broadband. Each company is responsible for maintaining their own equipment. The cellular carriers each have contracts with the City and pay monthly rent. Carolina Wireless Broadband is provided with access to the tanks free of charge as a public service by the City. We have been working closely with Carolina Wireless Broadband for many months about this project and this is not something being done on the spur of the moment.

Work is expected to begin shortly on the Caledonia tank. Carolina Wireless Broadband was advised to remove their equipment and has reportedly made other arrangements to continue service to its customers. When work on the Caledonia tank is complete, the painting contractor will move to the other tanks. Work at the 401 S / Purcell tank is expected to begin in mid-October. The three cellular companies will temporarily remove their equipment to allow the painters to work safely. The City and the painting contractor have been working with Carolina Wireless Broadband to minimize interruptions to its customers in this service area. If Carolina Wireless Broadband cannot relocate its equipment, then some interruptions in service may be required to protect workers’ safety and avoid damage to adjacent properties.