By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two of three Bowling Green water towers are about to get facelifts inside and out. That means they may even be spruced up with a color other than the current drab tan.
“We may change it up a little bit,” said Brian O’Connell, director of the city’s utility department.
The Bowling Green Board of Public Utilities voted Monday evening to do the preliminary work to hire engineering services for the water towers which were built in the 1980s. Both hold 1.5 million gallons.
Last year, the western water tower off Mitchell Road, and Carter Park water tower were inspected for maintenance and upgrades, O’Connell said. The 2018 water and sewer capital improvement fund budget included $480,000 for the western water tower work. The 2019 budget will include money for the Carter Park water tower, O’Connell said.
The improvements are intended to provide better water quality, extend the useful life of the water towers, and increase the safety accessibility for employees and contractors.
Some of the recommended improvements include:
- Clean, prep and paint the exterior surface.
- Clean, prep and paint the interior wet and dry surfaces.
- Install a handrail and rigging rail on the roof.
- Increase diameter of roof hatch and access tube.
- Install an access ladder.
- Add a mixer with THM aeration removal system.
The plan is to hire an engineer to prepare drawings and specifications for bidding the project as well as performing inspections of the work. The engineer may also have additional recommendations to consider, O’Connell said.
The work is needed due to “normal wear and tear” on the water towers, O’Connell said.
The current exterior of both older towers is tan with dark brown lettering reading “Bowling Green” and “Home of BGSU.”
The city may consider a different color, similar to the newer water tower constructed on Newton Road. That tower is white with lettering in hunter green, O’Connell said.
Bowling Green State University officials will be consulted to see if they have a color preference and if they want the institution to be mentioned on the tower.
“That lettering is not cheap,” O’Connell said. “We’ll see how they want to partner on this.”
O’Connell said he is familiar with the community mural silhouettes painted on the Perrysburg water tower along Interstate 75. It looks good, but there’s more to consider, O’Connell said.
“Cost is an issue,” he said.
