Facts About Water Towers You Might Not Know
Water towers are built at a certain height as it allows the system to use gravitational force to work.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel or follow us on the Lumi News app for the latest stories and updates.
There are many things around us that we see in our day-to-day life but have we ever paused to think why they are made or placed a certain way?
Well, here is one. Have you ever wondered why water tanks are built at a certain height and what is the use of a water tank in certain places? We have the answers for you.
According to an article by Mental Floss, water tanks are built at a certain height as they depend on gravitational pull for the water pump system to work.
In a water tower, the pressure of the water rises by 0.43 pounds per square inch (PSI) for every extra foot of height.
Most water towers are quite basic devices. Water that has been cleaned and treated is pushed up into the tower, where it is kept in a huge tank that may hold one million gallons or more—enough water to sustain a specific city for a day.
Moreover, keeping the water tank at a certain height also helps with the infrastructure of a city. This is because with the water tower, smaller pipes can be installed around the homes of people which allows them to use the water whenever it is needed.
Without the water tower, the government then must purchase a water pump that is efficient to handle the demands for water.
The pros and cons of water towers
According to an article by Water World, water tower allows the water to be preserved and to be supplied efficiently to the people especially during peak periods such as in the morning. Since it is built higher, it is easier to maintain a consistent pressure in the public water system as mentioned above.
Moreover, installing a water tower saves money by eliminating the need for a water pumping system with the capacity to meet peak demand.
However, there are cons when it comes to building a water tower. One of it is that the tower needs to be cleaned every 3 to 5 years to maintain the water’s cleanliness.
Furthermore, water flow is restricted in hilly locations because it can only reach areas that are lower in elevation than the starting point (the water tower).
Water tower also affects the taste and smell of the water if the tower is not cleaned properly, or the water is stored in the tower for a long period.
Why water towers are important
With the presence of water towers, the practice of fetching water has been abolished in certain countries.
However, this practice is still present is some areas of the world such as in certain parts of India.
As reported by India’s water portal, approximately 58.3% of households still get their water through hand pumps, tube wells, public taps, neighbour-provided pipes, protected or unprotected wells, and private or public taps.
Thus, sometimes it is important to be grateful for such inventions as they make our lives easier.
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
