# What are water towers made from? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 16, 2013, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112 "2013-06-16T06:35:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/21 "2013-06-16T22:58:26Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > Wax? Every six months?! > IMHO, an epoxy coating would be cheaper, in the long run. Epoxy may not be approved for use with drinking water, and could be a potential problem for pumping equipment. But wax might clog up filters. I’ve never heard of this, but my interest in water towers waned after finding out about the freezing. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/22 "2013-06-17T00:13:36Z")
When I first saw Fort Myers, FL, back in the early 1960s, most of the “older” houses had cypress wood cisterns; newer houses were on the public water system—water towers, pipes, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/23 "2013-06-17T00:42:47Z")
Not directly related, but in the UK the Victorian water towers look like something from a gothic horror/fantasy novels: [![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/11/09/article-1226381-07139D34000005DC-973_468x534.jpg) ](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/11/09/article-1226381-07139D34000005DC-973_468x534.jpg) [![](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/00/68/006824_8422c1be.jpg) ](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/00/68/006824_8422c1be.jpg) [http://u3asitec.org.uk/sites/n/newmilton/WaterTowerNewMilton.jpeg](http://u3asitec.org.uk/sites/n/newmilton/WaterTowerNewMilton.jpeg) The newer ones tend to look like something from a 50’s sci-fi film: [![](https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/benbecula/benbecula/images/watertower.jpg) ](https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/benbecula/benbecula/images/watertower.jpg) > **[Avalon Licensing Ltd | Photos, news, video](https://www.avalon.red/editorial?blob=mag.dKs~tc.EDI3MA)** > > Avalon.red is a photo agency offering a library of stock photography including news, entertainment, paparazzi, music, interiors, travel, nature, wildlife and much more. [![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RV43TeNEYg/TdkQAkD0rGI/AAAAAAAABKk/EdMWHzjq6vs/s1600/57TodayLarge1.JPG) ](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RV43TeNEYg/TdkQAkD0rGI/AAAAAAAABKk/EdMWHzjq6vs/s1600/57TodayLarge1.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/24 "2013-06-17T01:04:52Z")
I saw an article about one of those Victorian water towers being converted for residential use. The floorspace isn’t very much but the architecture is cool. And one of the wooden water towers in New York City was the site of an underground club recently. ---
**Author:** ![Gbro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/25 "2013-06-17T02:29:20Z")
The MN State Park where I am a tour guide has a vintage 60 Ft. Wood on Iron Tower. [This Tower](http://www.nashwauk.net/images/graphics/watertower.jpg) Described in this 1915 news release, [Here](http://www.nashwauk.net/HILLANNEXIRONMINE.html) ---
**Author:** ![Gbro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/26 "2013-06-17T02:44:31Z")
Built in Brainard MN from 1919-1922 300,000 gal [HERE](http://brainerdhistory.com/stories/tow_1002030011.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/27 "2013-06-17T05:08:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > …They’re usually insulated now, and the inner surface would be something that that doesn’t corrode easily. The cylindrical type of water storage tanks are not usually insulated, even in cold climates, and the inner surface is usually carbon steel that corrodes quite readily if not painted. For water storage tanks that perch a reservoir on top of a riser, the riser pipe may sometimes be insulated. > [@TriPolar](#): > > …One of the mysteries I found an answer to long ago was how they kept the water from freezing in cold climates. The answer is mostly that they don’t. Water towers can’t be used above a certain latitude because the cost of preventing freezing would be too high. Otherwise they keep ground water circulating in the tank to prevent it from freezing entirely. It will freeze mostly at the top… The water in water storage tanks doesn’t usually freeze completely because the water is being used during peak demand, causing the water level in the tank to drop, then replenished during off-peak hours. You may indeed get some freezing at the top in frigid weather, but it doesn’t usually affect the use of the tank significantly. Also, I don’t know how high a latitude you think that water storage tanks can’t be used, but they are certainly used all over New England. Finally, [groundwater](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwater) is not circulated in treated drinking water storage tanks. Maybe you are thinking of the water going into and out of the tank via the buried water main? > [@JBDivmstr](#): > > Wax? Every six months?! > IMHO, an epoxy coating would be cheaper, in the long run. Agreed. Not only is waxing not very cost-effective, it’s no longer approved for use in new water storage tanks. For older tanks, complete removal of the wax is recommended followed by painting. > [@TriPolar](#): > > Epoxy may not be approved for use with drinking water, and could be a potential problem for pumping equipment. There are many epoxy coatings that are AWWA and NSF approved for potable water, and they pose no risk to pumping equipment. –robby, P.E. P.S. As my profile states, I’m an engineer for a public water utility. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/28 "2013-06-17T06:03:18Z")
Well, when a mommy water tower and a daddy water tower love each other very much, they have a very special way of hugging… Oh, never mind. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/29 "2013-06-17T06:47:17Z")
> [@robby](#): > > … > … > –robby, P.E. > > P.S. As my profile states, _ **I’m an engineer for a public water utility** _. (bolding mine) This, the fact that there seems to be an extremely knowledgeable and eminently qualified member of the SDMB, for just about any occupation about which a question arises, is one of the things that make the SDMB such a cool place. 🆒 Members include medical professionals, lawyers, rocket scientists, pilots, railroad engineers, myriad people in all of the construction trades, you name it and the SDMB seems to have one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/31 "2013-06-17T12:17:32Z")
> [@robby](#): > > The cylindrical type of water storage tanks are not usually insulated, even in cold climates, and the inner surface is usually carbon steel that corrodes quite readily if not painted. For water storage tanks that perch a reservoir on top of a riser, the riser pipe may sometimes be insulated. If the tank corrodes that easily how come all our tap water dosen’t come out brown? ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/32 "2013-06-17T12:33:04Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > I did think this morning that they might be places one could dump a weighted body in the tank — assuming one was into that sort of thing — cos I doubt they are inspected very frequently. This is close to the major plot element of the Jennifer Connelly horror movie [Dark Water](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Water_%282005_film%29) (itself an American remake of an earlier Japanese film). ---
**Author:** ![Gbro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/33 "2013-06-17T12:39:20Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Well, when a mommy water tower and a daddy water tower love each other very much, they have a very special way of hugging… > > Oh, never mind. How about Hot & Cold running water? [Here](http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/watertowers/mn/23-69hotcold.html) and on that link there are towers of unusual design., ie. Corn Cob, Coffee Pot, Fishing Bobber etc. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/34 "2013-06-17T13:28:25Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Also, I don’t know how high a latitude you think that water storage tanks can’t be used, but they are certainly used all over New England. Finally, [groundwater](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwater) is not circulated in treated drinking water storage tanks. Maybe you are thinking of the water going into and out of the tank via the buried water main? Yes, by groundwater I just meant water coming from underground storage, already treated, obviously not untreated water. I don’t recall the latitude, but it was in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/35 "2013-06-17T16:15:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I saw an article about one of those Victorian water towers being converted for residential use. [The House in the Clouds.](http://www.houseintheclouds.co.uk/index.php?pid=1) > [@matt357](#): > > If the tank corrodes that easily how come all our tap water dosen’t come out brown? The key phrase is ‘if not painted’ - you’ll note robby mentioned painting them inside and out in an earlier post. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/36 "2013-06-17T16:32:08Z")
> [@Ranger Jeff](#): > > Well, when a mommy water tower and a daddy water tower love each other very much, they have a very special way of hugging… > > Oh, never mind. > > > [@Gbro](#): > > > > How about Hot & Cold running water? > > [Here](http://www.ohiobarns.com/othersites/watertowers/mn/23-69hotcold.html) > > and on that link there are towers of unusual design., ie. Corn Cob, Coffee Pot, Fishing Bobber etc. And there are still people who doubt Rule #34. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/37 "2013-06-17T18:07:20Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > This is close to the major plot element of the Jennifer Connelly horror movie [Dark Water](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Water_%282005_film%29) (itself an American remake of an earlier Japanese film). Not to mention Stephen King’s book “It”, where various children drown in the town standpipe (water tower). ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/38 "2013-06-17T18:38:36Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Some have something like that. They’re usually insulated now, and the inner surface would be something that that doesn’t corrode easily. > > One of the mysteries I found an answer to long ago was how they kept the water from freezing in cold climates. The answer is mostly that they don’t. Water towers can’t be used above a certain latitude because the cost of preventing freezing would be too high. Otherwise they keep ground water circulating in the tank to prevent it from freezing entirely. It will freeze mostly at the top. Valves, ports and other structures at the bottom will be protected by a steel cage to prevent an ‘ice fall’ as the water level lowers and ice remains at the top of the tank. Sometimes enough of the water freezes that pumps have to be used to maintain pressure. I’d imagine having thousands (tens of thousands?) of gallons of water in a tank would have a colossal thermal mass and would be pretty resistant to freezing unless the ambient temperature was below freezing for a long time, and there wasn’t enough sunlight to keep the tank somewhat warmed. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/39 "2013-06-17T19:27:58Z")
Most of the ones in the small towns in my state look like [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grandview.JPG) and were built in the early 1900’s. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/40 "2013-06-17T19:34:08Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I’d imagine having thousands (tens of thousands?) of gallons of water in a tank would have a colossal thermal mass and would be pretty resistant to freezing unless the ambient temperature was below freezing for a long time, and there wasn’t enough sunlight to keep the tank somewhat warmed. I think this problem is real. This occurred to me when I saw the Hudson river develop several feet of ice in a harsh winter, with brackish water and a constant flow underneath. It wouldn’t take long for a tank of water to freeze up if there wasn’t some warmer water constantly circulating through it. Even the tanks with their base on the ground have a tremendous surface area to radiate heat from. ---
**Author:** ![Weirofhermiston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e274bd/32.png) [@Weirofhermiston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirofhermiston)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112/41 "2013-06-17T19:35:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I saw an article about one of those Victorian water towers being converted for residential use. The floorspace isn’t very much but the architecture is cool. And one of the wooden water towers in New York City was the site of an underground club recently. There’s one in Kennington, South London which was featured in the television programme Grand Designs on Channel 4. I’m fairly certain the show is on Youtube but I cant be sure because they block their content in the UK. A search for London water tower or Kennington water tower might get you there. Anyway, it’s for sale if anyone has vast sums of money and wants it. [Water Tower](http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-26590737.html) Price reduced from an initial six and a half million. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-water-towers-made-from/661112.md?page=3)