How Water Towers Keep the Water Flowing
Published in the Fall 2026 edition of Customer Service Connections
If you've driven through Saint Paul or one of the surrounding communities, you've likely noticed one of our water towers rising above the trees. While they're familiar landmarks, they also play an important role in delivering reliable, quality drinking water to your home.
Water towers help maintain consistent water pressure throughout the distribution system. By storing water high above the ground, gravity creates the pressure needed to move water through underground pipes to homes, businesses, and water hydrants. They also store water to meet periods of high demand, such as warm summer days when outdoor watering increases, and provide a reserve for emergencies, including firefighting and power outages. Saint Paul Regional Water Services operates 12 elevated water towers throughout its service area.
Each is strategically located to help maintain reliable water pressure for the surrounding neighborhoods. While the towers vary in size and design, they all serve the same essential purpose: keeping water available whenever customers need it. Many of these towers have been serving the community for more than 60 years. Through regular inspections, maintenance, and periodic repainting, they continue to provide dependable service year after year. The next time you see one of our water towers on the horizon, you'll know it's doing much more than defining the skyline, it's helping deliver reliable, highquality drinking water to thousands of homes and businesses every day.