Bullet Causes $3,400 in Damages to City Water Tower

A single bullet hole that is repaired and back in operation, city officials report.

A man, armed against coyotes, went on an allegedly near Curlew Road on Dec. 11.

"Fortunately, the tank was mostly full when the bullet penetrated it," Tom Burke, city engineer, wrote in an email to Dunedin Patch. "The stored water apparently helped to dissipate the bullet’s energy and prevented other damage within the tank."

Burke said that after staff learned of the damages, an emergency work order was placed and awarded to Utility Service Co., Inc., the same Perry, GA, company that repainted both of Dunedin’s elevated tanks several years ago. 

The specialty contractor arrived on Dec. 27 and completed the repair on the same day.

Burke said the contractor had to go inside the tank to locate the bullet hole, weld and re-coat the area and reseal it from the inside. The contractor also inspected the exterior and found no need for other repairs.

"The tank has remained in continuous service since then," Burke said.

The city paid $3,400 to repair the hole, Burke said.

Reclaimed water staff adjusted their operations so customers would be served from three other working tanks while the one on Curlew Road was out of service. 

Dunedin Golf Club is the primary customer served by the Curlew Road tank, according to city officials.

Previous Coverage:

• Deputies: Man in Golf Cart Shoots City Water Tower
• City Loses Half Million Gallons from Water Tower Shot Tuesday