Look at those before and after photos! This takes maintenance and painting to a whole new level for Shakopee.
Water tower #3 on Co Rd 83/Canterbury Rd is located in the heart of our entertainment district, located near Valleyfair, Canterbury Park and the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater. Thousands of visitors travel to Shakopee each year and this tower provides the perfect opportunity to promote our community branding. The white and gray color scheme, with the custom graphic that depicts community features and activities available in Shakopee, is a fresh change. This graphic replaces the standard SPU logo and “Shakopee” artwork. Seen from miles, this tower will be the iconic water tower for Shakopee, much like the “golf ball and tee” tower on 10th Avenue was in the seventies.
Water tower maintenance is crucial for ensuring safe and reliable water service. It involves regular inspections, cleaning, and repairs to maintain water quality and the structural integrity of the tower. SPU storage tank/water tower maintenance is planned in the Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) budget with funding collected through water rates. Investments in infrastructure are significant so maintaining it is the prudent thing to do.
Tanks/towers are inspected every few years to identify issues such as corrosion, leaks or damage to the coating. Addressing these issues early can prevent larger, more costly repairs in the future and extend the life of the tower. To that point, steel tanks that are well-maintained can have a lifespan of more than 100 years. Cleaning is also done inside every few years to remove sediment and debris that can affect the quality of the water and outside to protect the coating.
Painting (or recoating) a water tower occurs approximately every 25-30 years. This is done for two reasons – corrosion prevention and aesthetics. The exterior coating protects the steel structure from rust and other environmental damage. Repainting also allows for aesthetic improvements and branding opportunities.
Water Tower #4, on Dominion Ave, is next to be maintained and repainted in 2027 but with no unique artwork. New construction of SPU’s 9th water tower is underway. It will be located adjacent to the current holding tank on Wood Duck Trail and Marschall Rd. Artwork for this highly visible tower has not been determined.
