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NYC water tower

A few years ago, Gullemette went on a tour of water towers in New York City. She hadn't paid them much attention before, but afterwards she said she felt like she was on safari, always looking up to spot them.

The tour covered the history of water towers, including their use and construction. The latter is a dying art, with only two family run companies continuing to supply them. From wikipedia:

In the 1800s, New York City required that all buildings higher than 6 stories be equipped with a rooftop water tower. This was necessary to prevent the need for excessively high pressures at lower elevations, which could burst pipes. . . . The original water tower builders were barrel makers who expanded their craft to meet a modern need as buildings in the city grew taller in height. Even today, no sealant is used to hold the water in. Tank walls are held together with cables but leak through every gap when first filled. As the wood swells, the gaps close and become impermeable.

This particular water tower sits on the corner of Prince and Broadway. I can't count the number of times I've looked up at it on the way home from work.

In the past, I would look up to follow the towers of the World Trade Center home.