Does anyone have any ideas for how to build a water tower?

First you’re going to need a lot of Legos.

are you making this to impress your neighbors? Is it supposed to work?

I’m making it for my sister, she really likes water towers.

It isn’t supposed to supply water to the house, but I want it to be able to store a small amount of water so that when I show it to people I can have water come out of it.

Find plans online. Water is really heavy – PVC pipes aren’t engineered to support any weight.

And what condition do you want the stored water to be in? Clean and drinkable? Or stinky, algae-laden and possibly toxic?

p.s. Are you building the world’s biggest bong?

pete- sounds like a fun project.

I can’t find any plans online. This isn’t the kind of project a lot of people try.

water is really heavy. That’s why I only want it to hold a gallon—a half gallon even.

I want the water to be drinkable initially, but if after a few months it turns green I won’t be too upset.

it’s not a bong!

If it’s strictly a decorative thing, why not go with steel plumbing pipe? It’ll look more authentic. Maybe you can find an appropriately-sized wooden barrel and put a rainwater-collecting plastic jug inside.

Google “rainwater collection barrel” for some ideas.

The steel plumbing pipe might work, but it might be too heavy (then again, it would be sturdy). I’ll have to take a trip to home depot and look around.

The “rainwater collection barrel” google has given me a lot of ideas. Thanks Taco!

Have you thought about making a smaller one? You could start with one that is about three feet tall and used a normal gallon of water in a plastic jug. And with a smaller one she could keep it in her room and easily take it with her when she moves.

I would make it out of wood if you can get your hands on woodworking equipment.
This wouldn’t be that hard to make a smaller version of.

edit :: and if you were bad ass you could make a small one for the kitchen counter built around a Brita filter.

um…do lots of people like water towers as a hobby?

Before you build a fifteen foot tall structure in your backyard you might give a call to your local permitting office. Unless you are in a pretty rural area.

@play, unless he is building some serious foundations he shouldnt have any problem setting up a water tower of this size in his backyard

Hey, PtP, perhaps this PDF will offer ideas on tank materials that you find useful:

“Plastic, or polyethylene, water tanks are now the biggest selling sector of the booming water tank market.”

@marina, that was funny
Pete: Try starting with a half-barrel planter as the faux tank.
For the tower, I suggest a wooden ornamental windmill base. Hope that sparked the creative drive.

petethepothead Good luck on your project. Don’t forget to change the water frequently, because standing water is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

so this is a rain collection system, not a sealed pump design?