By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green is looking at a $2.8 million bill to repair and repaint two of the city’s water towers.
Earlier this year, the city hired Tank Industry Consultants to inspect the water towers at Carter Park on the east side of the city, and off Mitchell Road on the west side of the city.
Bowling Green has a third newer water tower on Newton Road, on the north side of the city, which is currently not in need of repairs or painting. All the water towers hold up to 1.5 million gallons each, and stand 165 feet tall.
Public Utilities Director Brian O’Connell explained the extent of the repairs needed to the board of public utilities last Monday evening. The project will include repairs and painting of the water towers’ exterior and interior, installation of water quality equipment, and other repairs such as grout, sealant, check valves, self-closing gates and raising the navigational beacons.
The board voted to allow O’Connell to advertise for bids for the project. City Council will consider the ordinance Monday evening.
The two older water towers were last painted over 20 years ago.
“They do need some attention,” O’Connell said. “They are looking pretty rough.”
Though the price tag is high, O’Connell told the board the work is necessary.
“It’s a typical cost involved with owning a water tower,” he said. “They are in service 24 hours a day.”
The current plan is to work on both towers in 2023. However, since the price estimate came in higher than expected, O’Connell said the work on the Carter Park tower may be delayed until 2024.
The 2022 budget estimated $1 million in repairs for both towers – which is substantially lower than the current estimate, O’Connell said. That price was based on an inspection of the towers in 2017.
O’Connell said he recommended using a similar exterior ivory color and green lettering as the Newton Road water tower. He also plans to talk with Bowling Green State University officials about including the university’s logo on the water towers being repainted.
BGSU already has its name painted on both the Carter Park and Mitchell Road water towers, but O’Connell said he would check if the university also wanted its logo featured. That could allow for some cost sharing with BGSU, he said.
