Our Water Tower – From Design to Implementation

Engineers Without Borders - Tel Aviv
Oct 6
2 min read

Purpose and Design

The project aimed to provide stable and continuous water pressure for a set of large filtration units as part of an advanced purification system. Unlike conventional water towers that balance between pumping cycles and unpredictable demand, this tower was designed to maintain constant pressure at all times.

Since the water inflow is very slow—filling a 500-liter tank with a 3-meter head takes approximately five hours—the system was designed to refill overnight, ensuring that every school day begins with sufficient clean water for all students.

The tower supports a 500-liter tank and can safely hold two people during maintenance. With a safety factor of 1.4, it is strong enough to carry more than one ton. Because the tank is not centered, the main risk is forward tipping. To prevent this, we built underground cross-braces (50 cm depth) and used a triangular steel frame that ensures load distribution and rigidity.

Construction Process

During construction, we upgraded to thicker steel beams, increasing the tower’s capacity to around 1.5 tons. We partnered with Hamza, a local welder from Arusha, whose expertise ensured strong welds and a reliable build.

The underground cross-braces anchor the tower against tipping, while a one-meter safety railing was added for protection. The filtration units were placed one meter above ground, making them safer, cleaner, and easier to maintain.

Final Results

The finished tower now delivers a constant and reliable water supply to the filtration system. The school enjoys clean water every day, and maintenance can be done safely and easily. Thanks to the reinforced design, careful planning, and quality materials, the structure is durable, sustainable, and built to serve the community for years to come.