Challenge

The City of Elko New Market is one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota. Rapid development in this Scott County community has extended demands on the City’s entire infrastructure. The existing water tower, a 30,000 gallon four legged storage facility with a cone shaped roof, was constructed in 1931 in the middle of a 55 foot by 142 foot lot and had served the City well. However, the City realized that the facility was approaching its capacity and that it was located on a site with little space for a larger water tower to be constructed. Needing to provide adequate water storage, the City retained Thatcher Engineering to determine the best way to increase water storage capacity.

Solution:

Thatcher Engineering prepared a feasibility study that evaluated several viable sites. Thatcher and the City found that locating a 250,000 gallon spheroid single pedestal water tower on the existing water tower site with some of the construction welding occurring in the adjacent street was the most cost effective solution. This construction method allowed a larger water tower to be constructed in the existing space. The City then retained Thatcher to prepare plans and specifications and provide construction contract administration and observation services. Maguire Iron, Inc., a water tower contractor, constructed the project.