In the summer of 2024, coatings and linings manufacturer Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine announced top honors from the latest iteration of its annual Impact Awards program.
Each year, the program honors projects that significantly influence the industry by protecting assets, improving their lifecycles, and enhancing safety. A new winner in 2025 is expected to be announced by the company in the coming months.
Making Clean Water Accessible
Eligible program submissions include any water-related structures that were new, renovated, or rehabilitated utilizing coating and lining materials from the Cleveland, Ohio-based manufacturer.
“We take great pride in presenting these outstanding examples of how our coating technologies—rooted in modern and efficient methods focused on sustainability—can help make clean water more accessible and improve how wastewater is processed,” said Paul Trautmann, marketing director for infrastructure at Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.
“We use the Impact Awards to celebrate the incredible work and dedication of project teams across the country whose creativity and hard work ensure vital infrastructure stands the test of time,” Trautmann added.
Continuous Collaboration in Fargo
In the latest edition, first place was awarded to an ambitious $124-million renovation and expansion of a large-scale water reclamation facility in Fargo, N.D. According to the manufacturer, this project involved continuous collaboration between applicators and engineers.
The North Dakota project featured a multi-year expansion of the Fargo Regional Water Reclamation Facility’s capacity to more than 100 million gallons (378,541 m3) per day, all while showcasing the critical importance of meticulous planning, teamwork and advanced coating technologies to improve operational efficiency and asset integrity.
This facility is owned and operated by the city. PKG Contracting, Inc. led the overall project, with Protech Contracting Services Inc. serving as the applicator.
Under this project, Fargo’s water reclamation facility underwent a significant overhaul. It not only upgraded existing structures but also integrated new facilities, all while demonstrating a major investment in the growing city’s infrastructure and reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Application Strategies
The three-year project called for substantial structural work, including a significant amount of structural concrete for new and existing facilities such as a large-scale integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) building and others.
The project also featured many large-scale excavations; extensive piping to support an expanded headworks facility; and the installation of non-slip resinous flooring for safety.
Though the coating scope was originally specified for another company’s products, the subcontractor and applicator—Protech Contracting Services, Inc.—transitioned to Sherwin-Williams coatings for their compatibility and ready availability. This proved to be crucial for adhering to project timelines and minimizing disruptions, according to the manufacturer.
The complex coating sequence, influenced by project scheduling and available spaces, required close collaboration with the general contractor. Challenges included coordinating multiple trades, adhering to tight schedules, adapting to shifting priorities and weather, and applying coatings without disrupting plant operations.
The project involved coating diverse surfaces such as concrete structures, piping, equipment, walls, and floors. Application techniques varied between spraying and hand-rolling, depending on the surface and complexity, with high-pressure airless sprayers used for larger areas and hand-rolling for complex piping systems and confined spaces.
To enhance non-slip properties on floors, the project team used broadcasting and back-rolling techniques, and they incorporated sand in both the mid-coat and topcoat. This approach ensured that the coatings would provide a robust, safe surface suitable for harsh environments, easy cleaning, and chemical resistance, according to the manufacturer.
Coating Selections
In the new IFAS facility, Protech’s applicators coated the top 7 feet (2.1 m) of the aerobic tanks—which are exposed to gases—with Dura-Plate 2300 as a mortar base and Dura-Plate 6000 as a topcoat. This dual-layer approach ensured robust protection against chemical exposure, the manufacturer explained in its announcement.
Applicators also treated the return activated sludge splitter box and IFAS splitter box with Dura-Plate 6000 over a Dura-Plate 2300 base to provide protection from environmental factors.
Crews applied Dura-Plate 2300 using a mortar sprayer and manually leveled the material for a smooth finish. Subsequently, they sprayed Dura-Plate 6000 using a high-pressure sprayer, providing a strong, protective layer. For smaller structures like manholes and areas unsuitable for spraying, crews applied coatings manually, which reduced containment and cleanup needs.
In addition, applicators coated the wet well in the implant waste pump station—along with the valve vault and several manholes—with Dura-Plate 6000. This product was chosen for its ability to withstand harsh conditions, according to the manufacturer.
For concrete exposed to hydrogen sulfide gases and chemicals, Protech used a multi-layer coating system. The system was comprised of a primer; the Sher-Glass FF, a glass flake reinforced epoxy, as a mid-coat; and a urethane topcoat for visible areas.
On general piping not exposed to gases, the contractor used a Macropoxy 646 epoxy and finished with a urethane topcoat. As the manufacturer explained, this ensured comprehensive protection against corrosion and chemical exposure. Prior to application, Protech blasted new and existing concrete surfaces to create a suitable profile for proper adhesion.
For the topcoats of external surfaces exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light—including on some motors and outdoor equipment—the project team chose Hi-Solids Polyurethane 250 based on the product’s enhanced durability. Designed for high-performance protection with outstanding exterior gloss and color retention, this coating serves as a heavy-duty maintenance layer.
Finally, for metal and fiberglass surfaces such as tanks and ducting, applicators utilized the Corothane MIO-Zinc Primer with micaceous iron oxide (MIO) to prevent corrosion; Macropoxy 646 as the primary protective layer; and Acrolon Ultra as a topcoat for UV and environmental protection. The topcoat also served as an aesthetic enhancement, especially on exterior surfaces.
Protech added anti-graffiti coatings to publicly accessible areas to prevent vandalism, including exterior surfaces of final clarifiers.
Setting a New Benchmark
Throughout the project, Sherwin-Williams provided technical support to Protech to ensure the correct application of products. This support included on-site assistance and guidance on product specifications and application techniques.
Completed in early 2024, the Fargo project was notable for featuring effective coordination, optimal product selection, and skilled application techniques, according to the manufacturer.
“By enhancing the plant’s capacity and operational resilience, the city of Fargo has taken a significant step toward securing its environmental and public health future,” Sherwin-Williams said in its announcement. “It has also set a new benchmark for future infrastructure projects in the region.”
Honorable mention in the latest Impact Awards program went to a water treatment plant refurbishment in Daytona Beach, Fla., which can be read about here.
For more information, contact: Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine, (866) 524-0081, https://industrial.sherwin-williams.com/na/us/en/protective-marine.html
