Water Towers of Minnesota

Have you ever wondered about the intricacies of your local water tower? What does it actually do? Why is it shaped like that? Who does it serve? Water towers have a simple function but provide an integral purpose to the community in both use and identity. Learn more about them below.

The Function of a Water Tower

Water towers provide a reserve of water that functions due to height and pressure. A water tower must be of a certain height (and thus, deliver a certain pressure) in order to adequately supply water to nearby homes and businesses.

While water towers come in a variety of shapes and volumes, a typical tower holds a reserve of water large enough to supply a day’s worth of water to the community. In fact, your local water tower may hold well over one million gallons of water!

In addition to serving the important function of delivering clean and safe drinking water to the community, a water tower can showcase the identity of a community. Far from just being quirky and charming welcome signs to a town, a water tower can display town pride, serve as a testament to a community’s rich history, or as a celebration of what a town has to offer visitors.

Image by Tony Webster from via Wikimedia Commons

Unique Minnesota Water Towers

The Rochester water tower is built in the shape of a corn cob and has become a well-known landmark and symbol of the original Libby Foods plant in Rochester. The Lindstrom Teapot water tower in Lindstrom pays homage to the town’s sister city in Tingsryd, Sweden. The tea pot itself is painted with the words,” Valkommen till Lindstrom,” which is translated to mean, “Welcome to Lindstrom.”

Certain water towers, while no longer in use, still stand as reminders of a town’s rich history. The original water tower in Brainerd, which was put out of use in 1960, was the first all-concrete and elevated tank used in America. The architecture of the Prospect Park Water Tower in Minneapolis—locally known as the Witch’s Hat Water Tower—spurred the community to protect the tower from demolition in 1955. It has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been rumored to have been the inspiration for Bob Dylan’s song “All Along the Watchtower.”

Image by Jonathunder via Wikimedia Commons

Water towers are among the first things to greet you when you drive into a town. The small town of Waite Park distinguishes itself from the greater St. Cloud community with a vibrant yellow water tower featuring a smiling face. Pequot Lakes features a water tower in the form of a fishing bobber signaling that you are indeed in the Great North and surrounded by lakes, forests, and the great outdoors.

Water towers are also often iconic landmarks in their own right. Challenge yourself to find the history of your local water tower. For more information on water works, visit the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association.

Water Conservation Tips for the Winter

While we typically think of water conservation during the hot and arid months of summer, water conservation is an important issue all year round. Take a glance below to see how you can conserve water at home in the colder months.

Be Careful with the flushes

Flushing toilets can use upwards of two gallons per flush, and even more with older toilet bowl models. Additionally, check your toilet for leaks. Leaking toilets can waste hundreds of gallons a day. Check for leaks by dropping food coloring into the toilet tank. You will be able to tell if a leak is present if you see coloring in the bowl after a few minutes. If it is in your budget, consider upgrading your toilet to a low-flush, higher efficiency toilet.

Turn the Faucet Off

Easier in theory than in practice, the small act of turning the faucet off when not in use will make a big impact. Turn the sink off as you brush your teeth. Keep the faucet off when you shave. Don’t leave the tap running while you wash the dishes. Use a dishwasher and washing machine that will recycle water and only use them when they are full. These simple adjustments will provide a big impact on your water bill.

Ready the Pipes

Cracked and burst pipes can cost a fortune. Winterize your pipes to prevent paying astronomical water and plumbing repair bills. Take some precaution to protect your pipes indoors and outdoors. For indoor pipes, insulate them so they stay warmer, heat more quickly, and are less likely to leak. Wrap outdoor pipes as well in order to protect them from unforgiving winter air. Additionally, ensure that you know what to do in the event of a water pipe burst. Locate the shut-off valve in your home in case your pipes do burst to prevent flooding.

Take a Second Look at Your Shower

Water used in the shower can account for a big portion of your water bill. Low-flow showerheads can make a big difference when it comes to water conservation. In fact, it can save you thousands of gallons of water and hundreds of dollars a year. While you shop for a new showerhead, consider decreasing the amount of time you spend in the shower. Long, languid showers will run up your monthly bills and dry out your skin.

Another trick you can do is to collect water while you run the shower and wait for it to heat up. Even if you take short showers, any water you use waiting for the temperature to be just right is clean water going right down the drain. A bucket of water collected from your shower can be used to water your plants, feed your pets, cook with, mop the floor, and much more. It’s clean and you pay for it, why not use it?

Water conservation isn’t a seasonal responsibility. You can easily implement good water habits year-round with a little extra effort. For more ways that you can conserve water throughout the year, visit the Minnesota section of the American Water Works Association today.

Recap of Minnesota AWWA 100th Annual Conference

The 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference took place Sept. 20-23 at the Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center. Governor Mark Dayton declared September 22nd to be Minnesota Water Works Day.

The conference began with a day of charitable events (clay shooting, golfing, fishing) to raise funds for Water For People. Overall, 2016 MN AWWA events have raised $35,335 for Water For People and the Education Endowment. At the Convention alone, there was a record number of participants:

• 75 fishermen on 13 boats
• 50 clay shooters
• 104 golfers

Keynote speakers over the weekend included David LaFrance, CEO of the American Water Works Association, and Steve Maxwell, author of The Future of Water.

We are proud to announce that the City of St. Cloud was the 2016 Best In Glass taste test award winner for best tasting water in the state. St. Cloud’s drinking water also was selected as the 2016 People’s Choice at the Minnesota State Fair. The City of St. Cloud’s award winning water will represent Minnesota at the American Water Works Association national conference next June in Philadelphia.

New Section Positions

• Pete Moulton, the Director of Public Water Works for the City of St. Peter, was elected to the position of Section Director

• David Brown from the Metropolitan Council was elected as the Section Chair

Award Winners

• Carol Blommel Johnson - George Warren Fuller Award
• This award is presented annually by the American Water Works Association to the sections' respective selected members for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skill, the brilliant diplomatic talent, and the constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller.

• Myron Volker - Leonard N. Thompson Award
• This award is presented annually to one member for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of Leonard N. Thompson, past General Manager of the St. Paul Water Utility for nearly 34 years.

• Uma Vempati - Andrew Sullivan Outstanding Leadership Award
• This award is presented to an individual or group for exceptional service that demonstrates initiative and dedication to the drinking water profession.

• Scott Fronek - Jon Eaton Excellence in Volunteering Award
• This award is to recognize and honor an individual AWWA member who has advanced AWWA through his/her volunteer time and efforts and has been a support to AWWA staff.

Thanks to all who participated and volunteered to make the first 100 years of Minnesota AWWA a success. Raise a glass of #drinktapwater in confident optimism that the next 100 years will be even better!

Eat Your Way to Better Hydration

As everybody knows, water is an essential part of life. It’s an important factor in keeping your body hydrated, regulating body temperature, transporting oxygen, flushing out waste and bacteria, and so much more. You are supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, but that can be awfully hard to commit to. Did you know, however, that you can get some of that water from fruits and vegetables? Certain fruits and vegetables can help you towards your water intake goals and provide your body with minerals, fiber, protein, and more.

A Well-suited Workout

Do you buy expensive power bars and workout supplements? Your might be surprised to learn that fruits and vegetables make for an excellent post-workout snack as they can replenish your body with amino acids, vitamins, and electrolytes. And water and fruit are much better at hydrating your body post-workout compared to sports drinks and energy drinks.

Hydration “SuperFruits”

Fruits like strawberries and watermelon contain 92 percent water per volume. Grapefruits, cantaloupe, peaches, pineapples, cranberries, oranges, and raspberries each hold at least 85 percent water per volume. Eat these as snacks throughout the day, or incorporate them into recipes like fruit salads, fruit kebabs, smoothies, fruit pizzas, and more!

Aquatic Veggies

Vegetables are another excellent source of hydration. Cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, radish, celery, and tomatoes each contain at least 95 percent water. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, and spinach are also excellent sources of hydration and nutrients. Swap them into your favorite recipes, and challenge yourself to use these vegetables creatively when cooking for optimal hydration and taste variety.

Aim to eat four servings of fruits and five servings of vegetables a day to get the most nutrients you can and in order to reduce your risk of diseases and cancer.

Eating fruits and vegetables high in water content is an excellent way to stay on top of your health and fitness goals, keep you full throughout the day, and to stay hydrated! For more resources on water and hydration, visit the MN American Water Works Association.

100th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Attendee Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Go to the Minnesota AWWA social media sites and follow/connect with us for conference updates.

Please note: To create real/true activity, you MUST do more than follow...please create posts, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/2bD5ArG
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• LINKEDIN GROUP: http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout about the conference on your own social media platforms!

FACEBOOK

Join the Facebook Event page referenced above. Please share your updates, posts and please share your excitement! Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook page.

TWITTER

Use the official 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share updates, stay current during the conference and WIN prizes. There will be a Twitter contest during the conference. Keep an eye out for special offers from local establishments throughout the conference as well.

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Have any materials to share about the conference? Send them to jordan@daytamarketing.com and we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

We've also created some material for you to share:

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Blog: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4-6ieV83E

100th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Vendor Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Go to the Minnesota AWWA social media sites and follow/connect with us for conference updates.

Please note: To create real/true activity, you MUST do more than follow...please create posts, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/2bD5ArG
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• LINKEDIN GROUP: http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!

FACEBOOK

Join the Facebook Event page referenced above to advertise your activities, promote your booth/company/services, share updates, posts and please share your excitement! Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook page.

Here are some example posts to get you started (attach graphics to posts as needed):

• @Minnesota AWWA members - stop by our booth for more information about (insert company description). 
• Attention @Minnesota AWWA members! Pick up your (insert company name) swag at booth # (insert booth number). We can't wait to see you at the 100th Annual Conference!
• @Minnesota AWWA members: Don't be uncouth, visit our booth while you're in Duluth!

TWITTER

Use the official 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions.

Here are some example tweets to get you started (attach graphics to tweets as needed):

• @MinnesotaAWWA members - make sure to visit our booth at the 100th Annual Conference! #MNAWWA
• We're an official vendor of the 100th Annual #MNAWWA Conference! Get more info here: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz
• We can't wait for the 100th Annual #MNAWWA Conference! @MinnesotaAWWA members, what are you most excited for?

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Have you created any photos, graphics, articles, promos or videos for this year's conference? Send them to jordan@daytamarketing.com and we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

We've also created some material for you to share:

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Blog: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4-6ieV83E

100th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Local Establishment Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Go to the Minnesota AWWA social media sites and follow/connect with us for conference updates.

Please note: To create real/true activity, you MUST do more than follow...please create posts, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/2bD5ArG
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• LINKEDIN GROUP: http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!

FACEBOOK

Join the Facebook Event page referenced above to share updates, posts, special offers, promotions for dinner specials, tag vendors/conference attendees and please share your excitement! Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook page.

Here are some example posts to get you started (attach graphics to posts as needed):

• Welcome @Minnesota AWWA members! Enjoy your 100th Annual Conference (insert special offers for members)
• No water, no beer. @Minnesota AWWA
• Free water for all @Minnesota AWWA attendees!

TWITTER

Use the official 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions and specials.

Here are some example tweets to get you started (attach graphics to tweets as needed):

• Welcome to Duluth for your 100th Annual Conference, @MinnesotaAWWA members! #MNAWWA
• Hey @MinnesotaAWWA members, we'll give you a reason to hydrate! #NoWaterNoBeer #MNAWWA
• Attention @MinnesotaAWWA members! Stop in for (insert specials for members)

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Have you created any special offers, articles or graphics to welcome Minnesota AWWA members to this year's 100th Annual Conference? Send them to jordan@daytamarketing.com and we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

We've also created some material for you to share:

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Blog: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz

A Preview of MN AWWA's 100th Annual Conference

At the Minnesota chapter of the American Water Works Association, we are celebrating 100 years of dedication to clean water, public health, and educational development. This year, the Minnesota American Water Works Association will host the 100th Annual Conference in Duluth, a conference sure to be full of educational and interactive opportunities as well as celebrations of 100 years of waterworks excellence.

The 100th Annual Conference will take place Tuesday, September 20th through Friday, the 23rd at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. The three-day event will feature one day of exhibits and two days of concurrent technical sessions.

Be sure to make it to Tuesday’s events in order to help raise funds for Water for People. The organization was developed by the American Water Works Association in 1991 to promote the development of accessible, high-quality drinking water and sanitation services. For more information on Water for People, visit waterforpeople.org.

Attend this year’s opening general session on Wednesday to view a Smithsonian Exhibit, the keynote presentation, “The History of Water” as presented by American Water Works Association CEO David LaFrance, and a presentation from Future of Water author Steve Maxwell.

This year’s exhibits will feature products and services from nearly 100 vendors as well water competitions such as the Pipe Tapping, Meter Madness, and Hydrant Hysteria.

To celebrate the 100th special event, the Minnesota American Water Works Association will provide two social events on September 21st— a reception at Clyde Ironworks and a brewery circuit around Duluth. Be sure to visit the Water Museum which will open on the 21st.  On September 22nd, the conference will feature an attendee appreciation dinner featuring comedian David Harris and a team trivia tournament.

Join us at the farewell lunch for a special presentation by the City of Minneapolis, winner of the 2016 American Water Works Association Diversity Award.

For a more comprehensive list of events and dates celebrating 100 years of excellence, visit the annual conference program details.

What better place to celebrate than on the waterfront of beautiful Lake Superior? We hope to see you there!

Summer Water Activities for Your Family

August has arrived, which means many children across the state are scrambling to cram as much summer fun in as possible before the new school year begins. During the hottest month of the year, this usually involves water of some kind. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of water-related activities that you can do with your kids right in your own backyard:

Simple Backyard Splash Pad

Many homeowners are wary of at-home water activities because they wreak havoc on your lawn. You can have just as much fun at home without installing a pool or killing your grass; all you need is a tarp. It’ll act as a splash pad, slip-n-slide, and all-around water activity area—just add water. The best part is, when you are done, just roll up the tarp and put it away!

Sponge Ball Fight

Do your kids love water balloons, but don’t like to clean up the empty, broken balloon pieces after the fight is over? Check out these DIY splash balls for a fun, clean alternative to a summertime classic. Using sponges and buckets of water, this version of the game will be quicker, easier, and a lot more fun!

Duck, Duck, Wet Duck

This game is pretty self-explanatory; it’s just duck, duck, gray duck with water! Replace the word “Gray” (or goose, if that’s how you play) with “wet” and squeeze a sponge over the player’s head! If you’re looking for a cool, quick accessory to the game, you can use the sponge splash balls mentioned above.

Water Limbo

This one is also simple and requires just a hose with a nozzle. Instead of playing traditional limbo, use a hose with a nozzle attachment in place of a stick and take turns trying to go as low as you can.

Summer is the time to visit the lake, pool, or nearest body of water to keep cool. If your kids can’t always make it to the lake, there are tons of great water activities that you can do right at home.

What are your favorite backyard water games? Comment below, we’d love to hear them!