Why Are There Water Tanks on New York Rooftops?
As you explore New York, you'll spot curious wooden cisterns perched on the roofs of older buildings. Here's what they do and why they're still everywhere.
What Are Those Wooden Tanks on New York Rooftops?
- Walk around New York or browse photos of New York, and you’ll quickly spot small wooden towers perched on the roofs of older buildings six stories or higher. These are water tanks. They store water and maintain enough pressure to supply the apartments below.
- The system is straightforward: an electric pump fills the tank as needed, while a separate pipe carries water down through the building. Gravity does the rest.
How Many Water Tanks Does New York Have?
- New York has roughly 10,000 active water tanks. You’ll spot them easily across the city’s roofscape, especially from the Manhattan Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge. They’re also visible from observation decks, particularly the Empire State Building.
- Why are they still made of wood instead of metal? Cost. A wooden tank holding about 40,000 liters (10,500 gallons) runs over $30,000. Metal tanks cost four times as much. So wooden tanks will likely remain a fixture of New York’s skyline for years to come.
