Building Pedestal or "Mushroom" Type

 Modern Urban Water Tower

Water Tower Bill of Materials:

2-Infant Nasal Aspirators (available at K-mart, Wal-Mart, etc)  $1.96 each

1-12 inch section of threaded #6-32 rod (from Home Depot)    $  .76

Other supplies or tools needed:  Xacto knife, files, paint, epoxy, 

decals or dry transfer letters.

Total cost of project:  $ 4.68

Fence Bill of Materials:

     26 gauge silver floral wire

     Bridal veil material 

Construction Steps:

1)      Using Xacto knife, remove ridge off of bottom (now top) of the first aspirator. Smooth with file or emery board.

2)      To make the base, take second aspirator and cut the ball from it. Make cut at end of ball, leaving cone-shape intact. My aspirator had rings and I cut just after the last ring.

3)      Trim the shafts of both to common diameter, approximately ¼ inch off of both pieces. Make these cuts square, so pieces match when assembled.

4)      Push threaded rod into ball, insert base piece against the top portion. Use epoxy to hold together.

5)      If needed, use strip of paper or styrene, glued to shaft to hide the seam.

6)      With cut-off disk, use motor tool to cut rod, leaving 2 inches for firm planting in base.

7)      Spray paint a base primer coat. My aspirators were blue and I was afraid the white would have trouble covering. I had black primer on hand, so I used that.

8)      Finish coat should be white. Field research shows overwhelming majority of water towers are white.

9)      Add community name on tower using decals, or dry transfer lettering applied to blank decal material. Some communities have just the name, others include logos or city seal or other designs. 

10)  Plant in appropriate location.  Use scenery material to hide base in the ground. Most cities have the tower surrounded by a 6-10 foot fence to prevent graffiti artists from defacing the tower. Blinking red lights are commonly found on tops of these towers, for anti collision warning for low flying aircraft. Depending on community, some towers carry antennae for police, fire, city radio, or other needs. I have even seen a satellite dish on one. Your imagination takes over here.

Fence Construction:  

 

 1) Cut floral wire into pieces for posts and crosspieces. Cut fence posts 

     oversized, to allow for planting into ground

2) Solder crosspieces  to posts to create a 6-10 foot high fence.

3) Wash fence frames in cool water.

4) Use tacky glue to coat one side of frame.

5) Press veil material onto glue, use screw heads to hold down material.

6) Spray paint finished fence silver, green, or other appropriate fence color.

7) Plant in scenery.

 

 

 

Augsburg Water Tower Project

It stated at a recent Augsburg City Planning Commission meeting. The citizens were complaining of the lack of water pressure as the city expanded. The Fire Department was also concerned about the lack of pressure, making fire-fighting efforts more difficult.

 The City Planning Commission decided that what was necessary was the construction of a Water Tower. It was decided to construct one on the south side of 2^nd Street, just south of the downtown area. This would alleviate the citizens’ concern and help the Fire Department. Discussion included the addition of a second tower, which could be constructed on the north end of town in the future.

A public hearing was held and citizens concerns were addressed. After the hearing, the Planning Commission voted unanimously, 4-0 in favor of building the tower.

Bids were solicited and JGS Construction of Wittenberg was selected for the construction of the new tower. Construction began immediately on the 80-foot tower.  Plans include erecting an 8-foot fence around the tower, to prevent vandalism. Drawings are available to those interested, contact the City Planning Commission Office.

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