Blog Posts
By Damon Printz
Damon is our engineer and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things water monitoring and, of course, Tank Toad. In our newest blog series, he shares new real-world case studies showing how Tank Toad is solving water challenges in the field.
Feedlot Water Resolution
In a complex feedlot water system with dual water pumps and highly variable demand, diagnosing performance issues had become increasingly difficult, with maintaining proper water pressure critical and water hammer posing a serious risk. The well company brought in Tank Toad to help protect the system and improve visibility into performance, starting with the installation of a well house flood cutoff sensor to prevent damage in the event of a line break. A second sensor was then installed upstream near the point of use, allowing pressures to be monitored at multiple points in the system. By characterizing water line pressures both upstream and at the wellhead, Tank Toad helped align the customer and well company with clear, shared data, enabling the well driller to fine-tune the system into the proper operating ranges. The result was improved reliability, safer operation, and a system that could finally be managed with confidence.
.jpg)
Local Solar with Backup Generator
​
For a remote ranch water system powered by local solar with a backup generator, Tank Toad was deployed to automate monitoring and control while eliminating daily manual checks. The system provides continuous tank level measurements and enables automatic control of the solar well, ensuring reliable water supply without constant oversight. During cloudy days and winter conditions, Tank Toad allows the generator to be started remotely, maintaining consistent operation even when solar output is limited. By replacing routine in-person inspections, the solution saves over 45 minutes of driving each day from ranch headquarters, delivering significant time savings, improved reliability, and peace of mind for the operator.
Large Pipeline Solution
Before installing Tank Toad, managing this large pipeline system required a full-time water manager to spend entire days checking tanks and chasing down water issues. After Tank Toad devices were installed across the pipeline, the operation saw immediate efficiency gains, saving an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 pickup miles each month. With full remote visibility into tanks and wells, the water manager could quickly pinpoint issues instead of searching for them, keeping the system under control at all times. This new level of oversight even made it possible to trench two miles of pipeline without disrupting daily operations and restored personal time, including weekends off, thanks to the confidence that the water system was running smoothly. For large, complex systems, Tank Toad replaced guesswork and constant driving with real-time data and dependable control.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Rural Water District
This rural water district relied on a main tank that supplied both the city and the surrounding rural areas, fed by a well located roughly two miles away. Their previous system, based on time clocks and manual checks, was unreliable, and pressure feedback controls proved too finicky to manage effectively. As a result, the well was often run continuously, driving up electricity costs and creating major wintertime issues around the tank. After installing a Tank Toad remote automation system, the district was able to fully automate tank level management without overflow, immediately cutting their electrical bill in half, effectively paying for the system. Beyond day-to-day operations, the data collected also gave them clear insight into actual water consumption and future storage needs. Using this information, they determined they could replace the aging tank with one about half the size, unlocking the potential for hundreds of thousands of dollars in long-term savings.