City of Algood Looking to Hire Water Tank Engineer

The City of Algood is looking to hire an engineer to evaluate the city water tower.

Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler said the city council needs a full report before making any decisions on the fate of the tower.

“Right now we are in the process of hiring an engineer to examine the tank because we need to know it is structurally sound before we undertake any painting,” Fowler said. “That would be, you know, why paint something that is not sound?”

The Algood City Council will hire an engineer to study the city water tower. (Photo: Brian Stansberry)

The city began discussing the water tower in February. Fowler said other city business delayed the engineer search.

“But we don’t anticipate that it will take very much longer. We have been consumed with budget concerns right at this time of the year as all municipalities are,” Fowler said. “But I think that we will be able to find someone now that everything is settled down. And we can go back to focusing on our local issues.”

Fowler said the coming fiscal year budget would provide the hiring funds.

“We have budgeted so much for those kinds of things so that we have a little bit of discretionary fund or whatever that we can use for items like that,” Fowler said. “So I guess, what I am thinking is that whatever was set last year we have carried it over to this budget.”

In April, the council placed a suggestion box in the city hall for citizens to voice their ideas. Fowler said she picks up suggestions at least once a week.

“Well, I have gotten lots of suggestions but mostly it is about what we need to paint on there,” Fowler said. “So right now, to my account, they are running about 2 to 1 for saving the water tower. But there have not been many suggestions on how to fund that.”

The city would pay about $30,000 to tear down the tank, but repainting would cost anywhere from $54,000 to $100,000.  Fowler said low estimates guarantee paint to last up to 10-12 years.

The Algood water tower has been out of service for about 20 years, but six feet of water still remains within the tank.