View source for Water tower

{{Short description|Elevated structure supporting a tank}}
{{Other uses|Water Tower (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 430
| image1            = Mauston water tower with cellular tower on top.jpg
| caption1          = Water tower with [[cellular tower]] on top in [[Mauston, Wisconsin]], [[United States]]
| image2            = Water tower cellular.webp
| caption2          = Water tower with cellular equipment around its neck in [[Barrington, Illinois]], U.S.
}}

A '''water tower''' is an elevated structure<ref name=":0" /> supporting a [[water tank]] constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a [[water distribution system|distribution system]] for [[potable water]], and to provide emergency storage for fire protection.<ref name="mwra.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mwra.com/04water/html/historypaper/kempe-historypaper-all.pdf|title=New England Water Supplies – A Brief History, Marcis Kempe, MWRA, NEWWA Journal, September 2006, pages 96-99|access-date=14 March 2018|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410040623/https://www.mwra.com/04water/html/historypaper/kempe-historypaper-all.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Water towers often operate in conjunction with underground or surface [[service reservoir]]s, which store treated water close to where it will be used.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/watersupplytown00burtgoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/watersupplytown00burtgoog/page/n215 127]|quote=Waterworks water tower design and location.|title=The Water Supply of Towns and the Construction of Waterworks: A Practical Treatise for the Use of Engineers and Students of Engineering|first=William Kinnimond|last=Burton|date=14 March 1894|publisher=Lockwood|access-date=14 March 2018|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> Other types of water towers may only store raw (non-potable) water for fire protection or industrial purposes, and may not necessarily be connected to a public water supply.

Water towers are able to supply water even during [[power outages]], because they rely on [[hydrostatic pressure]] produced by elevation of water (due to [[gravity]]) to push the water into domestic and industrial water distribution systems; however, they cannot supply the water for a long time without power, because a pump is typically required to refill the tower. A water tower also serves as a reservoir to help with water needs during peak usage times. The water level in the tower typically falls during the peak usage hours of the day, and then a pump fills it back up during the night. This process also keeps the water from freezing in cold weather, since the tower is constantly being drained and refilled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hkywater.org/education/i-didnt-know-that/why-water-towers|title=Why Do We Have Water Towers ? &#124; Henderson Water Utility|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722182032/https://www.hkywater.org/education/i-didnt-know-that/why-water-towers|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|History of water supply and sanitation}}
[[File:Beaumont Kansas Water Tower.jpg|thumb|[[Beaumont St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Water Tank]] (1875, restored 2012), [[Beaumont, Kansas]], U.S.]]

Although the use of elevated water storage tanks has existed since ancient times in various forms, the modern use of water towers for pressurized public water systems developed during the mid-19th century, as steam-pumping became more common, and better [[Pipe (fluid conveyance)|pipes]] that could handle higher pressures were developed. In the United Kingdom, standpipes consisted of tall, exposed, N-shaped pipes,{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} used for pressure relief and to provide a fixed elevation for steam-driven pumping engines which tended to produce a pulsing flow, while the pressurized water distribution system required constant pressure. Standpipes also provided a convenient fixed location to measure flow rates. Designers typically enclosed the riser pipes in decorative masonry or wooden structures. By the late 19th century, standpipes grew to include storage tanks to meet the ever-increasing demands of growing cities.<ref name="mwra.com"/>

Many early water towers are now considered historically significant and have been included in various [[List of heritage registers|heritage listings]] around the world. Some are converted to apartments or exclusive [[penthouse apartment|penthouse]]s.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.flavorwire.com/319722/10-industrial-water-towers-converted-into-awesome-modern-homes|title=10 Industrial Water Towers Converted into Awesome, Modern Homes|date=17 August 2012|access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref> In certain areas, such as [[New York City]] in the United States, smaller water towers are constructed for individual buildings. In [[California]] and some other states, domestic water towers enclosed by siding ([[tankhouse]]s) were once built (1850s–1930s) to supply individual homes; [[Wind mill|windmills]] pumped water from hand-dug wells up into the tank in New York.

Water towers were used to supply [[water stop]]s for [[steam locomotives]] on railroad lines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scrca.foscl.org.uk/importance-water-steam-operated-railways|title=The importance of water on steam-operated railways |access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref> Early steam locomotives required water stops every {{convert|7|to|10|mi}}.

== Design and construction ==
[[File:Shooters Hill.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Shooter's Hill]] water tower is a local landmark in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]]. Water towers are common around London suburbs.]]
[[File:Ross Barnett Reservoir water tower.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Ross Barnett Reservoir]] water tower in [[Mississippi]], U.S., an example of an older design of water tower]]
[[File:Utrecht, de watertoren aan het Lauwerhof RM514252 foto3 2015-11-01 13.59.jpg|thumb|A water tower in [[Utrecht]], [[Netherlands]]]]

A variety of materials can be used to construct a typical water tower; steel and [[reinforced concrete|reinforced]] or [[prestressed concrete]] are most often used (with wood, [[fiberglass]], or brick also in use), incorporating an interior coating to protect the water from any effects from the lining material. The reservoir in the tower may be [[sphere|spherical]], [[Cylinder (geometry)|cylindrical]], or an [[ellipsoid]], with a minimum height of approximately {{convert|6|m|ft}} and a minimum of {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} A standard water tower typically has a height of approximately {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}}. <!-- and has an average of 2 million gallons. {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} The largest wt in the world holds 1.2 million gallons, how can the average be 2 million??? -->

Pressurization occurs through the [[hydrostatic pressure]] of the elevation of water; for every {{convert|102|mm|in|3}} of elevation, it produces {{convert|1|kPa|psi|3|lk=on}} of pressure. {{convert|30|m|ft|2|abbr=on}} of elevation produces roughly {{convert|300|kPa|psi|3|abbr=on}}, which is enough pressure to operate and provide for most domestic water pressure and distribution system requirements.

The height of the tower provides the pressure for the water supply system, and it may be supplemented with a [[pump]]. The volume of the [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]] and [[diameter]] of the piping provide and sustain flow rate. However, relying on a pump to provide pressure is expensive; to keep up with varying demand, the pump would have to be sized to meet peak demands. During periods of low demand, [[jockey pump]]s are used to meet these lower water flow requirements. The water tower reduces the need for electrical consumption of cycling pumps and thus the need for an expensive pump control system, as this system would have to be sized sufficiently to give the same pressure at high flow rates.

Very high volumes and flow rates are needed when fighting fires. With a water tower present, pumps can be sized for average demand, not peak demand; the water tower can provide water pressure during the day and pumps will refill the water tower when demands are lower.

Using [[wireless sensor networks]] to monitor water levels inside the tower allows municipalities to automatically monitor and control pumps without installing and maintaining expensive data cables.

== Architecture ==
[[File:Rooftop water towers on New York apartment buildings.jpg|thumb|[[Rooftop water tower]]s on apartment buildings on [[East 57th Street]] in [[New York City]]]]

The adjacent image shows three architectural approaches to incorporating these tanks in the design of a building, one on East 57th Street in New York City. From left to right, a fully enclosed and ornately decorated brick structure, a simple unadorned roofless brick structure hiding most of the tank but revealing the top of the tank, and a simple utilitarian structure that makes no effort to hide the tanks or otherwise incorporate them into the design of the building.

The technology dates to at least the 19th century, and for a long time New York City required that all buildings higher than six stories be equipped with a rooftop water tower.<ref name="npr2006" /> Two companies in New York build water towers, both of which are [[family business]]es in operation since the 19th century.<ref name="npr2006">{{cite news|title=Wondering About Water Towers |first=Debbie |last=Elliott |work=[[All Things Considered]] |date=2 December 2006 |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6567297}}</ref>

The original water tower builders were barrel makers who expanded their craft to meet a modern need as buildings in the city grew taller in height. Even today, no sealant is used to hold the water in. The wooden walls of the water tower are held together with steel cables or straps, but water leaks through the gaps when first filled. As the water saturates the wood, it swells, the gaps close and become impermeable.<ref name="Times article">{{cite news|title=Longtime Emblems of City Roofs, Still Going Strong|author=Charles, Jacoba|work=The New York Times|date=3 June 2007|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/nyregion/thecity/03wate.html?_r=1&ref=thecity&oref=login}}</ref> The rooftop water towers store {{convert|250000|to|500000|L|impgal USgal}} of water until it is needed in the building below. The upper portion of water is skimmed off the top for everyday use while the water in the bottom of the tower is held in reserve to fight fire. When the water drops below a certain level, a pressure switch, level switch or float valve will activate a pump or open a public water line to refill the water tower.<ref name="Times article" />

[[File:Roihuvuori water tower - Helsinki Finland.jpg|thumb|upright|The mushroom-shaped concrete water tower of [[Roihuvuori]] in [[Helsinki]], Finland was built in the 1970s. It is {{convert|52|m}} high and can hold around {{convert|12000|m3}} of water.]]

Architects and builders have taken varied approaches to incorporating water towers into the design of their buildings. On many large commercial buildings, water towers are completely hidden behind an extension of the facade of the building. For cosmetic reasons, apartment buildings often enclose their tanks in rooftop structures, either simple unadorned rooftop boxes, or ornately decorated structures intended to enhance the visual appeal of the building. Many buildings, however, leave their water towers in plain view atop utilitarian framework structures.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

Water towers are common in [[India]], where the electricity supply is erratic in most places.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

If the pumps fail (such as during a power outage), then water pressure will be lost, causing potential public health concerns. Many U.S. states require a "[[boil-water advisory]]" to be issued if water pressure drops below {{convert|20|psi}}.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} This advisory presumes that the lower pressure might allow pathogens to enter the system.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

Some have been converted to serve modern purposes, as for example, the Wieża Ciśnień ([[Wrocław water tower]]) in [[Wrocław]], Poland which is today a restaurant complex. Others have been converted to residential use.<ref name="residential use">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/greathomesanddestinations/a-water-tower-near-brussels.html|title=A Water Tower Near Brussels|first=Nick|last=Amies|newspaper=The New York Times|date=10 August 2011|access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref>

Historically, railroads that used [[steam locomotive]]s required a means of replenishing the locomotive's tenders. Water towers were common along the railroad. The tenders were usually replenished by [[water crane]]s, which were fed by a water tower.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

Some water towers are also used as observation towers, and some restaurants, such as the [[Goldbergturm]] in [[Sindelfingen]], Germany, or the second of the three [[Kuwait Towers]], in the State of [[Kuwait]]. It is also common to use water towers as the location of [[Transmission (telecommunications)|transmission]] mechanisms in the [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] range with small power, for instance for closed rural broadcasting service, [[amateur radio]], or [[cellular telephone]] service.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

In hilly regions, local topography can be substituted for structures to elevate the tanks. These tanks are often nothing more than concrete [[cistern]]s terraced into the sides of local hills or mountains, but function identically to the traditional water tower. The tops of these tanks can be landscaped or used as park space, if desired.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

=== Spheres and spheroids ===
The [[Chicago Bridge and Iron Company]] has built many of the water spheres and spheroids found in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | title = Waterspheroid | publisher = CBI | url = http://www.cbi.com/images/uploads/2011%20Watershpheroid.pdf | access-date = 24 February 2012}}</ref> The website ''World's Tallest Water Sphere'' describes the distinction between a water sphere and water [[spheroid]] thus:
 
{{blockquote|A water sphere is a type of water tower that has a large sphere at the top of its post. The sphere looks like a golf ball sitting on a tee or a round lollipop. A cross section of a sphere in any direction (east-west, north-south, or top-bottom) is a perfect circle. A water spheroid looks like a water sphere, but the top is wider than it is tall. A spheroid looks like a round pillow that is somewhat flattened. A cross section of a spheroid in two directions (east-west or north-south) is an ellipse, but in only one direction (top-bottom) is it a perfect circle. Both spheres and spheroids are special-case ellipsoids: spheres have symmetry in 3 directions, spheroids have symmetry in 2 directions. Scalene ellipsoids have 3 unequal length axes and three unequal cross sections.<ref>{{cite web | title = Water Sphere versus Water Spheroid | publisher = World's Tallest Water Sphere | date = June 2009 | url = http://www.worldstallestwatersphere.com/?p=196 | website = The World's Tallest Water Sphere | access-date = 22 February 2012}}</ref>}}

The [[Union Watersphere]] is a water tower topped with a [[sphere|sphere-shaped]] [[water tank]] in [[Union Township, Union County, New Jersey|Union, New Jersey]],<ref>{{Citation | last = Westerggaard | first = Barbara | title = New Jersey A guide to the state | date = August 2005 | publisher = Rutgers University Press | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ww7BJbdR4lEC&pg=PA366 | isbn = 0-8135-3685-5 }}</ref> and characterized as the ''World's Tallest Water Sphere''.

A ''Star Ledger'' article<ref name="landmark">{{citation | last = Rose | first = Lisa | title = Despite challenge, Union Township water tower remains a Jersey landmark | newspaper = The Star-Ledger | date = 22 February 2012 | url = http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/despite_challenge_union_townsh.html | access-date = 21 February 2012 }}</ref> suggested a water tower in [[Erwin, North Carolina]] completed in early 2012, {{convert|219.75|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall and holding {{convert|500000|gal|m3}},<ref>{{cite web | last = Philliops | first = Gregor | title = Erwin's new water tower will be among tallest on East Coast | work = The Fayetteville Observer | date = 11 May 2011 | url = http://fayobserver.com/articles/2011/05/14/1093639 | access-date = 25 February 2012 | archive-date = 27 August 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110827115134/http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/05/14/1093639 | url-status = dead }}</ref> had become the World's Tallest Water Sphere. However, photographs of the Erwin water tower revealed the new tower to be a water spheroid.<ref>{{cite web|title=World's Tallest Water Sphere Title Safe for Now|url=http://www.worldstallestwatersphere.com/?p=373 |publisher= The World's Tallest Water Sphere|access-date=20 August 2012}}</ref>

The water tower in [[Braman, Oklahoma]], built by the [[Kaw Nation]] and completed in 2010, is {{convert|220.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall and can hold {{convert|350000|gal|m3}}.<ref>{{cite web | title = Water Tower – Braman, Oklahoma | website = Waymarking.com | url = http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMA1DP_Water_Tower_Braman_Oklahoma | access-date = 22 February 2012}}</ref> Slightly taller than the Union Watersphere, it is also a spheroid.<ref>{{cite web | title = World's Tallest Water Sphere? | website = The World's Tallest Water Sphere | date = 22 December 2010 | url = http://www.worldstallestwatersphere.com/?p=298 | access-date = 22 February 2012}}</ref>

Another tower in Oklahoma, built in 1986 and billed as the "largest water tower in the country", is {{convert|218|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall, can hold {{convert|500000|gal|m3}}, and is located in [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Edmond Huskies | website = Waymarking.com | url = http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6E5 | access-date = 22 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Largest Water Tower | publisher = Center for Land Use Interpretation | url = http://ludb.clui.org/ex/i/OK3128/# | access-date = 22 February 2012}}</ref>

The ''Earthoid'', a perfectly spherical tank located in [[Germantown, Maryland]], U.S., is {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall and holds {{convert|2000000|gal|m3}} of water. The name is taken from it being painted to resemble a globe of the world.<ref>{{cite web | last = Gaines | first = Danielle | title = Germantown's Earthoid water tower could be up for a makeover WSSC to choose new painted design for tank next month | publisher = Gazette. Net | date = 2 March 2011 | url = http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/03022011/germnew185447_32533.php | access-date = 3 March 2012 | archive-date = 9 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130609024709/http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/03022011/germnew185447_32533.php | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = "Earthoid" Water Storage Tank – Germantown MD | website = Waymarking.com | date = 7 September 2009 | url = http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7668 | access-date = 3 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Makeover The Earthoid gets a refresh | date = 16 March 2011 | publisher = Germantown Patch | url = http://germantown.patch.com/articles/makeover-the-earthoid-water-tower-gets-a-refresh | access-date = 3 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = A whole new world Earthoid water tank makeover update | date = 11 November 2011 | publisher = Germantown Patch | url = http://germantown.patch.com/articles/a-whole-new-world-earthoid-water-tank-makeover-update | access-date = 3 March 2012}}</ref>

The golf ball-shaped tank of the water tower at [[Gonzales, California]] is supported by three tubular legs and reaches about {{convert|125|ft|m|abbr=on}} high.<ref>{{cite web | title = Gonzales Round Municipal Tank | website = Waymarking.com | date = 22 April 2009 | url = http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM68BR_Gonzales_Round_Municipal_Tank_Gonzales_CA | access-date = 25 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Gonzales Water Tower | website = Waymarking.com | url = http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM14DF_Gonzales_Water_Tower | access-date = 25 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Gonzales Water Tower | publisher = Wikimapia | url = http://wikimapia.org/12760743/Gonzales-Water-Tower | access-date = 25 February 2012}}</ref>

The [[Eindhoven Water Towers|Watertoren (or Water Towers)]] in [[Eindhoven]], Netherlands contain three spherical tanks, each {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter and capable of holding {{convert|500|m3|gal}} of water, on three {{convert|43.45|m|ft|abbr=on}} spires were completed in 1970.<ref>{{cite web | title = Water Tower Eindhoven | url = http://www.architectureguide.nl/project/list_projects_of_typeofbuilding/typ_id/28/prj_id/810 | access-date = 24 February 2012 | archive-date = 19 February 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230219182711/http://www.architectureguide.nl/project/list_projects_of_typeofbuilding/typ_id/28/prj_id/810 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Water Tower | url = http://mimoa.eu/projects/Netherlands/Eindhoven/Watertower | access-date = 24 February 2012 | archive-date = 29 November 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111129092221/http://mimoa.eu/projects/Netherlands/Eindhoven/Watertower | url-status = dead }}</ref>

<gallery widths="150px" heights="200px">
File:Wasserturm Ehrang.jpg|Disused sphere-shaped railway water tower in [[Trier]], Germany
File:Pequot_Lakes_1.jpg|[[Paul Bunyan]]'s [[Fishing float|Bobber]] Water Tower in [[Pequot Lakes, Minnesota|Pequot Lakes]], [[Minnesota]], U.S.
File:East Bay Water Tower.jpg|[[East Bay Township, Michigan|East Bay Township]] Water Tower near [[Traverse City, Michigan|Traverse City]], [[Michigan]], U.S.
File:Waterbollen Eindhoven-02.jpg|[[Eindhoven]] Water Towers, Netherlands
File:Cocoa_water_tower_night.jpg|[[Oblate spheroid]] water tower in [[Cocoa, Florida|Cocoa]], [[Florida]], U.S.
</gallery>

== Decoration and Traditions ==
[[File:Water tower at University of South Florida.jpg|thumb|A water tower at the [[University of South Florida]]. It is university tradition to light the white canvas of the tower in green lights after winning athletic events.]]

Water towers can be surrounded by ornate coverings including fancy [[brickwork]], a large [[ivy]]-covered [[Trellis (agriculture)|trellis]] or they can be simply painted. Some city water towers have the name of the city painted in large letters on the roof, as a [[navigation]]al aid to [[aviator]]s and [[motorists]]. Sometimes the decoration can be humorous. An example of this are water towers built side by side, labeled ''HOT'' and ''COLD''. Cities in the United States possessing side-by-side water towers labeled HOT and COLD include [[Granger, Iowa]]; [[Canton, Kansas]]; [[Pratt, Kansas]], and [[St. Clair, Missouri]]. [[Eveleth, Minnesota]] at one time had two such towers, but no longer does.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/watertowers/mn/23-69hotcold.html |title=Hot and Cold Water Tower |publisher=Ohiobarns.com |access-date=14 June 2013 |archive-date=17 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517100214/https://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/watertowers/mn/23-69hotcold.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<br>

Many small towns in the United States use their water towers to advertise local tourism, their local high school sports teams, or other locally notable facts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.comcast.net/~radiojeep/WaterTowers/|title=Water tower slogans.|website=Comcast|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref> A "mushroom" water tower was built in [[Örebro]], Sweden and holds almost two million gallons of water.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6NKgGccPRF0C&q=mushroom+water+tower&pg=PA162|title=A mushroom water tower|magazine=New Scientist|volume=11|number=244|page=162|date=20 July 1961|issn=0262-4079|publisher=Reed Business Information|access-date=2018-03-14}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Tallest ==
{{Incomplete list|date=December 2014}}
[[File:Watertoren Mechelen-Zuid.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Mechelen-Zuid water tower]] in Belgium, one of the tallest in the world<ref>plantaardignieuwsbrief12010.pdf</ref>]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|-
!Tower
!Year
!Country
!Town 
!Pinnacle height 
!Remarks
|-
|[[Swisscom-Sendeturm St.&nbsp;Chrischona]]
|1984
|{{flag|Switzerland}}
|St.&nbsp;Chrischona
|250&nbsp;m (820&nbsp;ft)
|
|-
|Naturstromspeicher Gaildorf, Wind Turbine 3,4 and 5
|2017
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Gaildorf
|246.5&nbsp;m (809&nbsp;ft)
|Three GE 3.4-137 wind turbines equipped with a water tank in the basement, which is used as upper reservoir by a pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant
|- 
|[[Kuwait Towers]], Tower A
|1979
|{{flag|Kuwait}}
|Kuwait City
|187&nbsp;m (613&nbsp;ft)
|
|-
|Eastern Chimney of Saar Central Coke Plant 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Dillingen
|150&nbsp;m (492&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|[[Kuwait Towers]], Tower B
|1979
|{{flag|Kuwait}}
|Kuwait City
|146&nbsp;m (479&nbsp;ft) 
|
|-
|[[Waldenburg, Baden-Württemberg|Waldenburg]] TV Tower
|1959 
|{{GER}}
|Waldenburg
|145&nbsp;m (475&nbsp;ft)
|Partially guyed tower consisting of water tower and antenna mast guyed to the ground as pinnacle. Antenna mast was dismantled in 2008.
|-
|[[Mechelen-Zuid water tower]]
|1978
|{{flag|Belgium}}
|Mechelen
|143&nbsp;m (469&nbsp;ft)
|Combined water and telecommunications tower 
|-
|Chimney of Randers Cogeneration Plant
|1982
|{{flag|Denmark}}
|Randers
|132.9&nbsp;m (436&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|Chimney of ELFE-Fertilizer factory
|
|{{flag|Greece}}
|Keratsini
|132&nbsp;m (433&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|[[Ginosa]] Water Tower 
|1915
|{{flag|Italy}}
|Ginosa
|130&nbsp;m (426.5&nbsp;ft)
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vocedellacqua.it/wp/fantastico-mondo-dellacqua-gli-occhi-sa-guardare/|title=Il fantastico mondo dell'acqua con gli occhi di chi sa guardare|language=it|website=la Voce dell'Acqua|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015120935/http://www.vocedellacqua.it/wp/fantastico-mondo-dellacqua-gli-occhi-sa-guardare/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|Large Chimney of Finkenheerd Power Plant 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Brieskow-Finkenheerd
|125&nbsp;m (410&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank, demolished
|-
|Centro idrico Eur 
|1990
|{{flag|Italy}}
|Rome
|120&nbsp;m (394&nbsp;ft)
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1509209/centro-idrico-eur-rome-italy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217144702/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1509209/centro-idrico-eur-rome-italy |url-status=usurped |archive-date=17 February 2022 |title=Centro idrico Eur, Rome &#124; 1509209 |publisher=Emporis |date= |accessdate=2022-08-27}}</ref>
|-
|Chimney of Piesteritz SKW-Nitrogen Factory
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Wittenberg
|120&nbsp;m (394&nbsp;ft)
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1223856/kamin-des-borealis-agrolinz-melamine-werks-wittenberg-lutherstadt-wittenberg-germany |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419235539/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1223856/kamin-des-borealis-agrolinz-melamine-werks-wittenberg-lutherstadt-wittenberg-germany |url-status=usurped |archive-date=19 April 2022 |title=Kamin des Borealis Agrolinz Melamine-Werks Wittenberg, Lutherstadt Wittenberg &#124; 1223856 |publisher=Emporis |date= |accessdate=2022-08-27}}</ref> Chimney, which was equipped with a water tank
|-
|[[K-25#K-1206-F Watertower|K-1206-F_Watertower]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-07-01|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=K-25#K-1206-F Watertower|reason= The anchor (K-1206-F Watertower) [[Special:Diff/1073450557|has been deleted]].}}
|1958
|{{flag|United States}}
|Oak Ridge
|116.43&nbsp;m (382&nbsp;ft)
|Demolished on August 3, 2013, by explosives<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1597756/oak-ridge-k-25-facility-water-tower-oak-ridge-tn-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220045242/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1597756/oak-ridge-k-25-facility-water-tower-oak-ridge-tn-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=20 February 2022 |title=Oak Ridge K-25 Facility Water Tower, Oak Ridge &#124; 1597756 |publisher=Emporis |date= |accessdate=2022-08-27}}</ref>
|-
|Water Tank Chimney of sinter plant of Dillingen Steel Mill 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Dillingen
|115&nbsp;m (377&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|Chimney of Brandenburg steel works 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Brandenburg
|110,2&nbsp;m (362&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|Small Chimney of Finkenheerd Power Plant 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Brieskow-Finkenheerd
|110&nbsp;m (361&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank, demolished
|-
|Water Tower of Launch Complex 36 
|
|{{flag|United States}}
|Cape Canaveral
|107&nbsp;m (351&nbsp;ft)
|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2020/02/07/cape-canaveral-blue-origin-water-tower-one-tallest-in-the-world/4667516002 | title=At Cape Canaveral, Blue Origin's water tower is one of the tallest in the world }}</ref>
|-
|Chimney 1 of Muldenstein power station 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Muldenstein
|103&nbsp;m (338&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank, demolished on April 10, 2011
|-
|Chimney of Frankfurt-Fechenheim Cassella works 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Frankfurt
|102&nbsp;m (335&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney, which was equipped until 2011 with a water tank
|-
|Chimney of Nachterstedt Novelis works 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Nachterstedt
|100&nbsp;m (328&nbsp;ft)
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1223839/novelis-kamin-nachterstedt-nachterstedt-germany |title=Kamin des Novelis-Werks Nachterstedt, Nachterstedt &#124; 1223839 |publisher=Emporis |date= |accessdate=2022-08-27}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Chimney with water tank
|-
|Chimney of Lahnberge district heating plant 
|1972
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Marburg
|100&nbsp;m (328&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|Chimney of Scholven Refinery Power Plant 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Gelsenkirchen
|100&nbsp;m (328&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|Eastern Chimney of Hennigsdorf Steel Works 
|
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Hennigsdorf
|100&nbsp;m (328&nbsp;ft)
|Chimney with water tank
|-
|Chimney of Vysocany Incinerator 
|1932
|{{flag|Czech}}
|Prague
|100&nbsp;m (328&nbsp;ft)
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1624441/chimney-of-vysocany-incinerator-prague-czech-republic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420215223/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1624441/chimney-of-vysocany-incinerator-prague-czech-republic |url-status=usurped |archive-date=20 April 2022 |title=Small Chimney of Vysočany Waste Incinerator, Prague &#124; 1624441 |publisher=Emporis |date= |accessdate=2022-08-27}}</ref> Chimney with water tank, demolished in 2003
|}

== Alternatives ==
Alternatives to water towers are simple pumps mounted on top of the water pipes to increase the water pressure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harvesth2o.com/pumps_or_tanks.shtml|title=Rainwater Pumps or Pressure Tanks|website=www.harvesth2o.com|access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref> This new approach is more straightforward, but also more subject to potential public health risks; if the pumps fail, then loss of water pressure may result in entry of contaminants into the water system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://water.me.vccs.edu/concepts/pressuredistr.html|title=Pressure in the Distribution System|website=water.me.vccs.edu|access-date=14 March 2018|archive-date=29 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629235222/http://water.me.vccs.edu/concepts/pressuredistr.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most large water utilities do not use this approach, given the potential risks.{{dubious|date=September 2011}}{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

== Examples ==

=== Australia ===
[[File:Bankstown Reservoir.jpg|thumb|Bankstown Reservoir was built on [[reinforced concrete]] [[Pier (architecture)|piers]], which is one of the oldest of this type in the [[Sydney]] region.]]
* [[Bankstown Reservoir]], [[Sydney]]

=== Austria ===
* [[:de:Datei:Wasserturm Amstetten.jpg|Wasserturm Amstetten]]
* {{ill|Wolfersberg Water Tower|de|Wasserturm Wolfersberg}} (Water tower with transmission antenna)

=== Belgium ===
* [[Mechelen-Zuid water tower|Mechelen-Zuid Watertoren]]

=== Brazil ===
* [[Nave Espacial de Varginha]] in Varginha

=== Canada ===
* [[Guaranteed Pure Milk bottle]] in [[Montreal]], Quebec

=== Croatia ===
* [[Vukovar water tower]] in [[Vukovar]].

=== Denmark ===
* [[Svaneke water tower]]

=== Finland ===
[[File:Lahti - water tower 2.jpg|thumb|right|Mustankallio water tower, Lahti, Finland]]
* [[Mustankallio water tower]] in [[Lahti]]

=== Germany ===
[[File:Friedrichsplatz (Mannheim) - Wasserturm (0005).JPG|thumb|upright|Friedrichsplatz's Water Tower, Mannheim]]
* [[Lüneburg Water Tower]]
* [[Fernsehturm Heidelberg|Heidelberg TV Tower]] (TV tower with water reservoir)
* [[Mannheim Water Tower]] (built 1886–1889)

=== Kuwait ===
[[Kuwait Towers]], which include two water reservoirs, and [[Kuwait Water Towers]] (Mushroom towers in [[Kuwait City]].

=== India ===
* [[Tala tank]] in [[Kolkata]]

=== Italy ===
* [[Ginosa Water Tower]], {{convert|122|m}} tall<ref>{{cite web|title=Ginosa Water Tower|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1242876/ginosa-water-tower-ginosa-italy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307152321/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/1242876/ginosa-water-tower-ginosa-italy|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 March 2016|website=[[Emporis]]|access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref>

=== Netherlands ===
* [[Amsterdamsestraatweg Water Tower]] in Utrecht
* [[Eindhoven Water Towers]] in [[Eindhoven]]
* [[Poldertoren]] in [[Emmeloord]]
* [[Water Tower Simpelveld]] in [[Simpelveld]]
* [[Water Tower Hellevoetsluis]] in [[Hellevoetsluis]]

=== Poland ===
[[File:Wrocław, Wieża widokowa , A 423 0 362 Wm padma DSC 9450.JPG|thumb|right|[[Wrocław Water Tower|Water Tower]], [[Wrocław]], Poland]]
[[File:Wodociągowa wieża ciśnień, (35).JPG|thumb|right|[[Old water tower of Bydgoszcz|Old Water Tower]], [[Bydgoszcz]], Poland]]
* [[Wrocław Water Tower]]
* [[Old water tower of Bydgoszcz|Old Water Tower, Bydgoszcz]]

===Romania===
*[[Fabric Water Tower]]
*[[Iosefin Water Tower]]
*[[Oltenița Water Tower]]
*[[Turnu Măgurele Water Tower]]

=== Slovakia ===

* [[Water Tower in Komárno|Water Tower]] in [[Komárno]]
* [[Water Tower in Trnava|Water Tower]] in [[Trnava]]

=== Slovenia ===
* [[Brežice Water Tower]] in [[Brežice]]

=== Sweden ===
* [[Vanadislundens water reservoir]] (Stockholm)

[[File:The House in the Clouds, Thorpeness.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[House in the Clouds]] in [[Thorpeness]] functioned as the town's water tower from 1923 until 1977.]]

=== United Kingdom ===
* [[Water Tower, Cardiff Central Station|Cardiff Central Station Water Tower]]
* [[Cranhill]], [[Garthamlock]] and [[Drumchapel]] in [[Glasgow]], and [[Tannochside]] just outside the city
* [[Dock Tower]] in [[Grimsby]]
* [[Everton Water Tower]], [[Liverpool]]
* [[House in the Clouds]] in [[Thorpeness]], Suffolk
* [[Jumbo Water Tower|Jumbo]] in [[Colchester]], Essex
* [[Norton Water Tower]] in [[Norton, Runcorn|Norton]], [[Cheshire]]
* [[Tilehurst Water Tower]] in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]]
* [[Tower Park]] in [[Poole]], Dorset
* [[Wallasey Water Tower]], in [[Wallasey]], [[Wirral Peninsula|Wirral]].

=== United States ===

[[File:Equestrian_center1.JPG|thumb|The [[Show Place Arena]] water tower in [[Upper Marlboro, Maryland|Upper Marlboro]], [[Maryland]], U.S.]]
* [[Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower]] near [[Collinsville, Illinois]]
* [[Chicago Water Tower]] in [[Chicago, Illinois]]
* [[Florence Y'all Water Tower]] in [[Florence, Kentucky]]
* [[Lawson Tower]] in [[Scituate, Massachusetts]]
* [[Leaning water tower|Leaning Water Tower]] in [[Groom, Texas]]
* [[North Point Water Tower]] in [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]
* [[Peachoid]] next to [[I-85]] on the edge of [[Gaffney, South Carolina]]
* [[Show Place Arena]] water tower in [[Upper Marlboro, Maryland|Upper Marlboro]], [[Maryland]]
* [[Union Watersphere]] in [[Union Township, Union County, New Jersey|Union Township, New Jersey]]
* [[Volunteer Park (Seattle)|Volunteer Park]] Water Tower in [[Capitol Hill, Seattle, Washington]]
* [[Warner Bros. Water Tower]] in [[Burbank, California]] (In the animated TV series ''[[Animaniacs]]'', it was used to incarcerate the characters [[Yakko, Wakko, and Dot]], as well as to serve as their home.)
* [[Weehawken Water Tower]] in [[Weehawken, New Jersey]]
* [[Ypsilanti Water Tower]] in [[Ypsilanti, Michigan]] (Winner of the [[Most Phallic Building contest]] in 2003)<ref>[http://cabinetmagazine.org/events/phallic/winner.php "The Most Phallic Building in the World"]. ''[[Cabinet (magazine)|Cabinet]]''.</ref>

== Standpipe ==
A standpipe is a water tower which is cylindrical (or nearly cylindrical) throughout its whole height, rather than an elevated tank on supports with a narrower pipe leading to and from the ground. [[File:Louisville water tower.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Louisville Water Tower]], one of the few remaining standpipe water towers in the United States. It was completed in 1860.]]
There were originally over 400 standpipe water towers in the United States, but very few remain today, including:<ref>{{cite book|title=St. Louis: Its Neighborhoods and Neighbors, Landmarks and Milestones|editor=Hannon, Robert E.|year=1986|publisher=Buxton & Skinner Printing Co.|location=St. Louis, MO|chapter=Treasured Towers|author=Harris, NiNi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.builtstlouis.net/watertowers/watertowers1.html|access-date=19 August 2011|title=Watertowers|publisher=builtstlouis.net}}</ref>

* Addison Standpipe, in [[Addison, Michigan]] - removed September 15, 2025
* [[Belton Standpipe (Belton, South Carolina)|Belton Standpipe]] in [[Belton, South Carolina]] (also in Allendale and Walterboro)
*Belton Standpipe in Belton, Texas
* [[Bellevue Standpipe]] (actually a water tank, not a tower), in [[Boston, Massachusetts]]
* [[Chicago Water Tower]], in [[Chicago, Illinois]] [[File:Chicago Water tower.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Chicago Water Tower]]]]
* [[Cochituate standpipe]], in [[Boston, Massachusetts]]
* [[Craig, Nebraska]] standpipe
* [[Eden Park Stand Pipe]], in [[Cincinnati]]
* [[Evansville Standpipe]] (a steel tower), in [[Evansville, Wisconsin]]
* [[Fall River Waterworks]], in [[Fall River, Massachusetts]]
* [[Forbes Hill Standpipe]], in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]
* [[Louisville Water Tower]], in [[Louisville, Kentucky]]
* [[North Point Water Tower]], in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]
* [[Reading Standpipe]] (demolished in 1999 and replaced by a modern steel tower), in [[Reading, Massachusetts]]
* [[Roxbury High Fort]] contains the Cochituate Standpipe
* St. Louis, Missouri has three standpipe water towers which are on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
** [[Bissell Street Water Tower|Bissell Tower]] (also known as the Red Tower)
** [[Compton Hill Tower]]
** [[Grand Avenue Water Tower]]
* [[Thomas Hill Standpipe]], in [[Bangor, Maine]]
* [[Ypsilanti Water Tower]], in [[Ypsilanti, Michigan]]
* [[Bremen Water Tower]], in [[Bremen, Indiana]]
[[File:Standpipe water tower in Craig Nebraska.jpg|thumb|upright|Riveted iron standpipe in [[Craig, Nebraska|Craig]], [[Nebraska]], U.S.]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:View of Garden Reach Water Tower, Pune.jpg|Water tower in [[Pune]], [[India]]
File:Wasserturm Rybnik.jpg|Water tower in [[Rybnik]], Poland
File:Viljandi vana veetorn.jpg|Water tower in [[Viljandi]], Estonia
File:Tesoman Vesitorni.jpg|Water tower in [[Tesoma]], [[Tampere]], Finland
File:19th century water tower in Szprotawa Poland.jpg|Water tower in [[Szprotawa]], built 1867 by a company J&A [[John Aird & Co.|Aird]] from [[Berlin]]
File:Warner Bros Studios (51212906920).jpg|The [[Warner Bros. Water Tower]] in [[Burbank, California]], U.S.
File:2017-07-25 UC Tower.jpg|Water tower in [[United College (Hong Kong)|United College]], [[The Chinese University of Hong Kong]]
File:New Asia Water Tower 2012.jpg|Water tower in [[New Asia College]], [[The Chinese University of Hong Kong]]
File:UCD Water Tower - geograph.org.uk - 303601.jpg|[[University College Dublin]] water tower
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Water}}
{{col div|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Architectural structure]]
* [[List of nonbuilding structure types]]
* [[American and Canadian Water Landmark]]
* [[Caldwell Tanks]]
* [[Gas holder]], a similar utility storage structure
* [[Hyperboloid structure]]
* [[Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Co.]]
* [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity]]
* [[Water tank]]
* [[:Category:Standpipe water towers]]
{{col div end}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Water towers}}
* [http://www.watertowers.de/ International Watertower Archive] {{in lang|de}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20220128233134/http://watertowers.eu/ Website about 1000 watertowers from Poland] {{in lang|pl}} via the [[Wayback Machine]]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Water Tower}}
[[Category:Water towers| ]]
[[Category:Towers]]