Water Tank Roof New York

Like many of the fixtures within new york city s infrastructure many of us see water tanks dotting rooftops but have little idea of their specific uses and upkeep.

Water tank roof new york.

Gravity sends water to pipes throughout the building from the roof. The horrible conditions of rooftop water tanks outlined in the new york times article are extreme based on our experience he says. Owners of buildings that use tanks to store or pressurize the building s drinking water must have the tanks inspected at least once per year. The new york times 2014.

And so long as the health department continues its spot checking of the. See additional water storage tank details. Although they often look defunct water tanks are still an essential part of the city s day to day needs. Coli in five tanks and coliform in those tanks and three more.

A rooftop water tower is a variant of a water tower consisting of a water container placed on the roof of a tall building. The tanks hold about 10 000 gallons of water 37 854 liters with a reserve for emergency use. The water tank works similar to a toilet. In buildings with more than six floors pumps push water to rooftop tanks where the water is stored until needed.

As building height increases the vertical height of its plumbing also increases. One reason is that these wooden tanks are far more efficient less expensive than steel tanks and far easier to maintain. Additionally the wooden water towers have become a de facto cultural icon of new york city itself. Cheddar explains why the incredibly modern buildings of new york city still sport old looking water towers on their respective roofs.

The new york city health code requires that rooftop drinking water storage tanks be inspected annually by building owners and that the inspection results be reported to the health department. Water tanks help deliver drinking water to millions of new york city residents. Rooftop water storage tank support construction need to consider these design points. Building owners report inspection findings by completing a questionnaire provided by the health department.

Most of the buildings that his company services he continues have roof tanks that are well maintained and regularly cleaned. A water tank usually lasts roughly 30 35 years. Water tanks still serve a function. The water is pumped up from the basement using electric pumps.

This structure supplies water pressure to floors at higher elevation than public water towers. As the water level recedes from use a float valve will allow more water in refilling the tank. In new york city elevated water towers such as those shown above below have been in use since the late 1800 s.