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Posted: 03/13/13

Feasibility study for
water tower OK'd by WT

by KIMBERLY SCHERER
Observer Special Writer

      Washington Township may soon have a water tower to help offset water costs during peak hours.
       Township Board of Trustees voted March 6 to approve a feasibility study to determine what type of tower will be the best fit for the township.
       The addition of a water tower will help offset water costs during peak usage hours because the tower's water will be utilized instead of the water that comes directly from Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
       Mike Kozak, township engineer from Giffles Webster, said the tower will be filled during non-peak hours and utilized during 3-7 a.m. and 7-10 p.m., when water usage is at its highest in the township.
       The surplus from the money saved would go toward paying off the tower, which could take six or seven years, and then the cost savings will go back to the customers.
       Kozak said there are four types of water towers the township could utilize, and the feasibility study will help to determine where, and which one, could be the best fit for the township's needs.
       The spheroid water tower is all metal and has low upfront costs but higher maintenance costs because it will have to be repainted every seven or so years. The composite water tower is all concrete and has a higher initial cost but a lower maintenance cost. A hydropillar tower has the highest initial cost as well as high upkeep costs but it's multi use and could be used for storage or to house one of the township's departments, for example. The ground tank is low to the ground and not visible like the others. It comes with a low initial price tag but higher maintenance costs because it requires the use of pumps to keep it filled.
       The board voted to approve the study, not to exceed $49,000, which was budgeted for.