A method includes receiving an image of a storage tank at a processing system, where the storage tank is capable of storing one or more materials. The method also includes processing the image to identify a level, profile, or amount of sludge or sediment present in the storage tank. Processing the image could include segmenting the image into multiple segments and using the segments to identify a non-linearity in the image. The image could be segmented into segments having different grey levels using grey level values associated with previously-identified sediment or sludge. The identified level or amount of sludge or sediment could be used to automatically schedule maintenance for the storage tank.