This year’s Tnemec Tank of the Year winning entry comes from Hollywood, Fla. The one-million gallon torospherical-bottom, ovaloid-style welded steel tank had 10 legs, making it the first legged design to win Tnemec Tank of the Year since the competition was initiated in 2006.

“Judges in this year’s competition were impressed by the tank’s colorful artwork with its conservation theme depicting loggerhead sea turtles, which are an endangered species,” said Doug Hansen, director, Tnemec Water Tank Market. “The elegant graphics are enhanced by the dramatic lighting that illuminates the landmark at night, calling attention to Hollywood as both a tourist destination and a vibrant community.”

The graphic design for the water tower was developed by Hunter, Hamersmith & Associates Advertising out of North Miami and funded through the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency. “Utility Service completed the repair and refurbishment of the tank in May,” said city spokeswoman Raelin Storey. “The work included structural repairs, sandblasting and recoating both the interior and exterior of the tank and the addition of tank lighting for nighttime visibility.”

Hundreds of loggerhead sea turtles return to Hollywood Beach each year to lay their eggs at night. In Broward County, nearly 2,000 sea turtle nests have been counted during nesting season from March to October.

Located along Interstate 95 on the western side of Hollywood, the water tank is one of the most visible landmarks in South Florida. “I-95 between Fort Lauderdale and Miami is one of the most traveled roads in the country, carrying thousands of travelers directly past this water tank,” Tnemec coating consultant Mike Kendig said.

The tank’s interior and exterior coating systems were applied by Utility Service Co., Inc., which was general contractor for the project. The exterior artwork required 19 different colors ranging from white, to different shades of blues, greens and browns.

Assisting Utility Service on the project was Jim Kelly, of Industrial Commercial Signs, who painted the mural and lettering, and an electrical contractor who lighted the tank’s exterior.

Due to the high volume of traffic underneath the tank, work on the project was performed under a draped containment system. The exterior coating system consisted of a prime coat of Series 135 Chembuild, a modified polyamine epoxy and an intermediate coat of Series 1075 Endura-Shield II, an aliphatic acrylic polyurethane. The finish coat was Series 700 HydroFlon, an advanced fluoropolymer topcoat that offers outstanding resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and unprecedented long-term gloss and color retention. Two coats of Series 700 were also used for the lettering and mural.

Tnemec’s 2011 Tank of the Year Award will be presented by Hansen in early 2012.

The Hollywood tank was chosen from more than 140 Tank of the Year nominations. In addition to choosing a Tank of the Year, Tnemec has named four additional nominations as runners-up.