New York’s unique cityscape aesthetic is defined by a blend of beauty, ambition, and practicality. The wooden cylinders that sit atop thousands of buildings are as iconic as the vertical presence of towering skyscrapers. These rooftop water tanks are working, functioning water-delivering systems.
Water tanks first appeared in the mid-19th century, when buildings began rising beyond six stories. The problem it created was that water delivered by the city’s water supply system could only reach about six stories, but the pressure wasn’t strong enough to get to the higher floors. The solution came in the form of the water towers. The system created in the 19th century was beautifully simple. An electric pump pushes water up into the tank, and from there, gravity does all the work—sending it back down into apartments below.
A typical water tank holds up to 10,000 gallons of water and lasts about 30 years. With all the technological advances of the 21st century, these water tanks still provide the best solution. Not only do they do the job, but they’re far more economical than alternatives.
The water tanks are made of cedar, cypress, or redwood. Wood naturally expands and contracts with temperature changes, reducing the risk of cracks or leaks. It also acts as an insulator, keeping water from freezing in winter and relatively cool in summer. The wood is self-sealing. When first filled, the wooden planks swell tightly against steel hoops, creating a watertight seal—no glue or toxic sealants required.
On top of each tank is a heating system that prevents freezing during harsh winters. The lower portion of each tank is usually reserved for a fire emergency.
The giant tanks are easy to install. Since wood is lightweight and can be transported in planks up service elevators or narrow stairs to be assembled on-site. No complex machinery needed.
Today, roughly 10,000 to 15,000 are still in use across the city. These 19th-century holdovers, which look almost nostalgic, have stepped into the 21st century and are still doing their job, while creating a unique visual effect.
I’m not the only one to appreciate their beauty.
When British artist Rachel Whiteread set out to capture something quintessentially New York, she chose water towers—drawn to their ubiquity in the city’s architectural landscape.
There is also a colorful tribute to the water tower on the Manhattan skyline atop 20 Jay Street, south of the Manhattan Bridge. Made from hundreds of plexiglas pieces, it transforms the humble water tank into a glowing beacon—lit by the sun during the day and illuminated from within at night.
Amazing, really, that a humble engineering solution encased in a wooden box has become an icon, sharing the skyline with giants like the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge.
And that’s the magic of New York.
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