Green Water Technologies notes that a water tower, which can come in many shapes and sizes, is essentially a water holding tank. Treated water, which is sanitized at the local water treatment facility, is pumped into the tower and then distributed throughout the city. In order for water towers to be effective, they must be higher than the buildings in which they serve. A single foot of height produces .43 psi.
Some cities, however, have gone to using larger water pumps. Despite technology being available, a traditional water tower is still a very valid piece of equipment for a city, and it can save money. By utilizing gravity to push water into homes and offices, a city can refill its tanks during the off hours instead of having to rely on more expensive water pumps. Green Water Technologies says that this results in cost savings in many ways.
First, the city is not on the hook for the more expensive water pumps, which may also require more maintenance. The biggest cost savings, however, is that these expensive water pumps do not go unused when the city sleeps.
Green Water Technologies notes that because electricity is not required for the water tower to be effective, they are still usable for 24 hours or more after a citywide power outage. This is beneficial to both residents of an area and to the local fire department. Because water is still available, they can respond to fire emergencies with little or no interference while the city restores power.
Interestingly, Green Water Technologies says that the oldest water tower in the country is the Louisville Water Tower, which was built in 1860.
