Water Tower Under Repair: I first saw a photo of this water tower on the Next Door app. The poster was asking what was going on with the tower. One of the replies linked a video that...

deanfl Loc: Georgia

I first saw a photo of this water tower on the Next Door app. The poster was asking what was going on with the tower. One of the replies linked a video that explained they were probably sand blasting and repainting the tower. A curtain would cover the tower to protect nearby houses. I thought it might be interesting to locate the tower, in rural Georgia, and post some photos.

I thought some might find the photos unusual enough to be of interest. It was a challenge just to find the tower.

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Stephan G

deanfl wrote:

I first saw a photo of this water tower on the Nex... (show quote)

The tower makes itself a subject to be explored in many ways. Would like to see imagination at work. I can envision a series of "watching the bouncing ball".

A caveat. The property around the tower is considered to be private for security reasons. Keep this in mind when photographing.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

deanfl wrote:

I first saw a photo of this water tower on the Nex... (show quote)

Interesting couple images. I don't think I have ever seen a water (tank) tower like that before. Is that outer structure for painting (as suggested by another person). It looks so permanent. Could it be lightning protection? A metal tank full of water going in to the ground is going to conduct current like crazy, more than a tall tree. Am I over thinking this? I'll probably take closer looks at the water towers in my area.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

Stephan G wrote:

The tower makes itself a subject to be explored in many ways. Would like to see imagination at work. I can envision a series of "watching the bouncing ball".

A caveat. The property around the tower is considered to be private for security reasons. Keep this in mind when photographing.

It was a challenge to get a clear shot. I took this from across the road. As you said, the tower sits on private property.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

[quote=lamiaceae]Interesting couple images. I don't think I have ever seen a water (tank) tower like that before. Is that outer structure for painting (as suggested by another person). It looks so permanent. Could it be lightning protection? A metal tank full of water going in to the ground is going to conduct current like crazy, more than a tall tree. Am I over thinking this? I'll probably take closer looks at the water towers in my area.

The cables that hang down are used to raise and lower the curtain that protects nearby houses. These companies go around the country just painting water towers. It apparently takes about 3 months to complete a job.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'd hate to think the workers had to walk up there, carrying all their gear. 😁 Imagine if that rusted through and started leaking.

Nice shots

deanfl Loc: Georgia

jerryc41 wrote:

I'd hate to think the workers had to walk up there, carrying all their gear. 😁 Imagine if that rusted through and started leaking.

Nice shots

Not a job for someone with a fear of heights…and a drone could be useful in getting some interesting photos of the repairs.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

jerryc41 wrote:

I'd hate to think the workers had to walk up there, carrying all their gear. 😁 Imagine if that rusted through and started leaking.

Nice shots

That Inner column has an internal ladder accessible from the ground by a hatch... When I worked for utilities we used to climb up inside just for the fun of it when having free time. Kind of scary even going up the inside ladder.... Those were the days.

W9OD Loc: Wisconsin

Interesting prospective. They would not put that many lightening rods for protection.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

MrBob wrote:

That Inner column has an internal ladder accessible from the ground by a hatch... When I worked for utilities we used to climb up inside just for the fun of it when having free time. Kind of scary even going up the inside ladder.... Those were the days.

I watched a different video of someone doing what you described. He climbed to the top, opened the hatch, and used a drone to photograph the area. I agree….kind of scary.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Neat photographs. Well done.

It seems obvious to me the framing, all of the metalwork surrounding the tower is to support the cover used when the tower is sandblasted and repainted. Lightning rods, I don't think so, not in a million years.

Dennis

deanfl Loc: Georgia

dennis2146 wrote:

Neat photographs. Well done.

It seems obvious to me the framing, all of the metalwork surrounding the tower is to support the cover used when the tower is sandblasted and repainted. Lightning rods, I don't think so, not in a million years.

Dennis

Thank you. You are correct about the support for the curtain. It apparently takes about a minute to raise or lower the curtain.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

deanfl wrote:

Not a job for someone with a fear of heights…and a drone could be useful in getting some interesting photos of the repairs.

I bet someone would get in trouble for flying a drone over that.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

deanfl wrote:

I first saw a photo of this water tower on the Nex... (show quote)

cruise4two

lamiaceae wrote:

Interesting couple images. I don't think I have ever seen a water (tank) tower like that before. Is that outer structure for painting (as suggested by another person). It looks so permanent. Could it be lightning protection? A metal tank full of water going in to the ground is going to conduct current like crazy, more than a tall tree. Am I over thinking this? I'll probably take closer looks at the water towers in my area.

Those protrusions jutting out from surface of tank are "standoffs" to afford space between tenting and tank...this space is used by workers during sandblasting. The tent shields surrounding property from abrasive. Same setup used on my city's tank a number of years ago.