Water towers play an important role in most municipal water systems, but some communities don’t use water towers at all.
The most popular, more recently devised alternative to a water tower is a simple pump attached to the top of the water pipes, which increases water pressure.
This straightforward approach is quicker and easier to set up than a water tower, but it comes with a few unique risks. Contaminants may re-enter the water supply if the pumps fail and water pressure is lost.
Due to the potential risks associated with this approach, it’s only used by smaller water utilities serving a smaller population with a much lower water demand.
Final Word
For most communities, water towers are a reliable, consistent method of supplying filtered, potable water at any time.
While water towers need to be maintained and may cause a slight drop in water pressure, they’re cheaper and simpler than water pumping systems, and are a long-term, cost-effective solution in most scenarios.
About the Author: Brian Campbell is the founder of WaterFilterGuru.com, where he blogs about all things water quality. His passion for helping people get access to clean, safe water flows through the expert industry coverage he provides. Follow him on twitter @WF_Guru or contact him by email [email protected].