Water Tank Roof New York

Building owners report inspection findings by completing a questionnaire provided by the health department.
Water tank roof new york. The water is pumped up from the basement using electric pumps. The tanks hold about 10 000 gallons of water 37 854 liters with a reserve for emergency use. The horrible conditions of rooftop water tanks outlined in the new york times article are extreme based on our experience he says. The water tank works similar to a toilet.
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. This produces a large water column and the weight of this water produces very high pressure. The new york times 2014. A water tank usually lasts roughly 30 35 years.
Rooftop water storage tank support construction need to consider these design points. In buildings with more than six floors pumps push water to rooftop tanks where the water is stored until needed. Cheddar explains why the incredibly modern buildings of new york city still sport old looking water towers on their respective roofs. And so long as the health department continues its spot checking of the.
It can be built within 24 hours and takes just two or three hours to fill with. Samplings taken by the new york times from water towers at 12 buildings in manhattan queens and brooklyn found e. Additionally the wooden water towers have become a de facto cultural icon of new york city itself. Gravity sends water to pipes throughout the building from the roof.
This structure supplies water pressure to floors at higher elevation than public water towers. One reason is that these wooden tanks are far more efficient less expensive than steel tanks and far easier to maintain. Most of the buildings that his company services he continues have roof tanks that are well maintained and regularly cleaned. 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.
Although they often look defunct water tanks are still an essential part of the city s day to day needs. Water tanks help deliver drinking water to millions of new york city residents. As building height increases the vertical height of its plumbing also increases. As the water level recedes from use a float valve will allow more water in refilling the tank.
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. In new york city elevated water towers such as those shown above below have been in use since the late 1800 s. Coli in five tanks and coliform in those tanks and three more.