How many water towers are in nyc

And, surprisingly, it only takes a few hours to fill them with up to 10, gallons of water. The water tanks operate similar to a simple toilet. When the water level recedes, a float valve automatically allows more water in, refilling the tank. A pump is used to pump water into the tank. It can then be disbursed within the building. Newer buildings in New York may try to hide their water towers using aesthetically pleasing design choices — hiding them behind or even inside other structures.

Part of this may be due to the fact that, while iconic, wooden water towers aren't always pleasing to the eye.

The towers are made from untreated wood, so as not to pollute the water they hold. The downside to that, however, is that they very quickly take on a weathered look, in stark contrast to the glass and steel structures of the buildings they sit on.

That said, the wood plays an important role in their efficiency, acting as a natural insulator to prevent water from freezing in the winter. The steel alternative would need heavy layers of concrete to achieve the same. Three family-run companies have been instrumental in building and maintaining New York water towers for the past century; Rosenwach Tank Company, Isseks Brothers, and American Pipe and Tank who has been building and maintaining these structures in New York for over four generations.

Not just iconic structures, New York City water towers are a piece of history - an important, and very beneficial piece of history. If you need a tank cleaned, maintained, or constructed, American Pipe and Tank is the company to call. They know their way around those New York City rooftops! Click » here and we will connect you immediately. You never have to look up more than a few blocks to spot one of the roughly 15, tanks perched on top of a roof.

New York gets its water supply from reservoirs north of the city. The water from these reservoirs is able to travel up to six floors without a problem. As buildings began to rise higher than six floors in the s, it became necessary to add water towers to buildings. City Living. By Sean Joseph 0. A water tower in Greenpoint. About the Author.

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