Council approves budget amendment and contract to replace Zone 4 water tank dome after EPA concern

The Laramie City Council on Dec. 2 approved a budget amendment and contract to replace the dome of the Zone 4 water tank after an engineer and the tank manufacturer recommended replacing the roof dome following storm damage.

Councilor Bowling moved to approve Resolution 2025‑96 (an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 budget) and award a contract to Great Plains Structures LLC for $568,400 with a contingency referenced in the motion; the motion was seconded and approved 9–0. Director Webb said the tank’s dome was damaged in a windstorm and subsequent engineering and manufacturer reviews concluded the dome should be replaced. He added that grout injection to address cracking in the concrete base will be handled under a separate contract.

Webb said the manufacturer recommended full dome replacement, and that the dome would be manufactured off‑site and installed on site; staff have scheduled the installation for May. He also told the council the city had received a notice of concern from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tied to the tank’s condition, and emphasized the urgency of repairs.

Councilor Shumway asked whether residents would experience service interruption during the work; Webb said there should not be any interruption because water can be pushed from Zone 1 into Zone 4 during the outage. Councilors also discussed warranty and lifespan: Webb said the dome carries a 20‑year warranty and that typical tanks are expected to last about 50 years; he estimated the work could provide roughly another 30 years of service for the tank but noted wind exposure and the tank’s siting on state land as complicating factors.

When asked about the cost to replace a tank outright, Webb offered a ballpark: “about $3,000,000.” The council called the roll and approved the budget amendment and contract by a 9–0 vote. Staff will proceed with contractor coordination and schedule management.