Water Towers Around the World
A Local Landmark
When the local water system in Varberg, Sweden, sprang a leak—requiring the city to tap into its 1960s-era back up water supply—the city realized it would need a new water tower to better meet the demands of its growing population. As a result, the city built what it aims to be a landmark structure—a rectangular, curved water tower that holds more than 2.5 million gallons.
A Tourist Attraction
In 1992, the city of Lindström, Minnesota, known as America’s little Sweden, built a new 500,000-gallon water tower and planned to tear down the town’s original water tower. Local business owner Marlene Smith had the idea to instead turn the old tower into the world’s largest Swedish coffee pot and paid for all the renovations. It was completed in 1993 and has become an iconic symbol of the city, as well as a popular tourist destination. For a period of time, the coffee pot even released steam from its spout, a feature returning on June 21 as a result of a fundraising initiative.
.jpg)
A Nesting Place
A water tower in Luxembourg was designed to become a nesting place for local and migrating birds, including swallows and peregrine falcons. The two-columned concrete towers stand 164 feet high and hold a combined 260,000 gallons of water. Both towers are framed by a wooden skin that allows birds to nest and vegetation to grow. Bat roosts were also placed throughout the structure and the top of the tower has a nesting space designed for peregrine falcons.
Celebrate Drinking Water Week: May 4-10
For over 40 years, the American Water Works Association has used Drinking Water Week as an opportunity for water professionals and the communities they serve to recognize the vital role water plays in daily life.
