Corrosion Resistant Shelters for Potable Water TreatmentCase Study
30 Corrosion-Resistant Fiberglass Shelters for Sacramento County Potable Water Disinfection
Sacramento County Water Agency replaced 30 aging redwood buildings as part of a large-scale, countywide rehabilitation program targeting groundwater wells that were 40 to 50 years old. The project included nine fiberglass shelters at centralized water treatment plants and 21 shelters at individual well sites. Each location required enclosures that offered long-term weatherability and chemical resistance.
THE PROJECT
The Agency needed a reliable protective solution that could be customized to meet site requirements. The Agency selected Shelter Works based on its proven field performance and experience in custom-manufacturing fiberglass shelters for corrosive water and wastewater environments.
The well sites disinfect groundwater with sodium hypochlorite, followed by fluoridation with hydrofluorosilicic acid. Both chemicals are hazardous, and fluoridation fumes can be especially corrosive. The processes need to be kept separate to prevent fume mixing and to prevent exposure of sensitive equipment to aggressive chemicals.
THE SHELTERS
To address these conditions, Shelter Works supplied 17 two-room fiberglass shelters with airtight interior partition walls, along with four smaller single-room enclosures for the well sites. The partitioned shelters isolate fluoridation equipment from other systems, preventing corrosive fumes from migrating between rooms. This protects sensors, samplers, and chemical-dosing instruments, extending equipment life and improving workplace safety.
Many of the well sites are located within residential neighborhoods, making appearance an important consideration. The fiberglass shelters offer a clean, finished exterior that blends into its surroundings.
WHY SHELTER WORKS
Fiberglass construction delivered clear advantages over the legacy redwood structures. FRP does not rust, rot, corrode, or decay when exposed to chemical vapors and moisture, eliminating the need for coatings, repainting, or ongoing surface maintenance. The shelters are engineered for decades of service life, reducing the total lifetime cost of ownership while providing consistent performance across all sites, all backed by. Shelter Works’ industry-leading 25-year warranty.
Shelter Works’ custom manufacturing also allowed each enclosure to be sized and configured to match the specific equipment and site footprint at each location. By replacing redwood buildings with fiberglass shelters, Sacramento County Water Agency implemented a durable, low-maintenance enclosure solution that enhances chemical containment, supports operational reliability, and improves work-site safety.
“This was a big project, and it was important to them that they work with a high-quality company that had specific QC procedures in place. The interior partition wall created an airtight environment that met their needs perfectly.”Tracy Switzer - President, Shelter Works