What's the Deal with the Detroit Zoo Water Tower?

A couple days ago we shared an article on our social media pages about old water towers that were converted into really cool houses (I seriously recommend checking it out. Click here to see the article) and it got me thinking. Water towers are one of those things that you see once in awhile as you’re driving, but you never think much of them. I drove past the Detroit Zoo water tower earlier this week for the hundredth time, but this time I couldn't help but wonder, why is that thing there? What does it do? So, naturally, I went on a curiosity-fueled research spree.

When you turn on a faucet, the water pressure in the system is what pushes the water out of the faucet. Low water pressure is one of the most irritating plumbing problems; the simplest tasks like showering or washing dishes can become incredibly time-consuming. So, how does a city ensure that there’s always enough water pressure for everyone, even in periods of high water usage?

The answer to that question is water towers. Unlike electric-powered water pumps, a water tower uses the power of gravity to create water pressure in the system, which is incredibly cost-effective. Potable water that’s stored up in the tank is released throughout the day, and then the tank is refilled by a pump during the night when water usage is low.

Water towers ensure the reliability of the water system in case of emergencies, too. Their tanks are usually sized to hold a day’s worth of water for the community it serves; in case an emergency causes the municipal pumps to shut down, the water tower ensures that the community will still have running water for 24 hours. They can also be built specifically for other uses, such as emergency fire protection or industrial use in factories.

So next time you turn on the water as you get ready for your day, you might have a nearby water tower to thank!

Fun fact: As it turns out, the Detroit Zoo water tower is currently non-functional. It used to hold 1.5 million gallons of water and served the north Woodward area’s water system up until 1984, when it was shut down due to a defective valve. Instead of demolishing it, however, the mayor at the time argued that it had become a landmark associated with the Zoo, and it was decided that the water tower would stay. Ever since, the tower has served as a unique billboard for the Detroit Zoo, and now it even serves as a home for a family of endangered falcons.

If you ever find yourself with low water pressure, it's probably not a water tower's fault. Certain issues in your home's plumbing system can cause changes in water pressure. Call us at (586) 459-0040 and we'll fix it up!

Here's What Happens When You Drink 64 Ounces of Water for 31 Days

Today's post is a little different than our usual blogs. Instead of giving you general information about plumbing, I'm going to introduce myself (Hi, I'm Alanah!) and share a personal experience!

We've all been told a thousand times that drinking enough water is important, but studies show that 75% of Americans are dehydrated. After realizing that I was definitely part of that 75% and my water habits were truly TERRIBLE, I decided to take on a water challenge. For the full 31 days of May, I had to drink 64 ounces (the recommended daily amount) of water by 6:00 PM every day. It wasn't so much difficult as it was annoying, having to lug around a big 32-ounce water bottle everywhere I went, and not to mention having to use the bathroom so much more than I used to. (Is that TMI? Sorry.) But for the most part, I successfully made it to the full 64 oz every day.

Even after just a few days, I noticed all kinds of improvements in how I felt, and it only got better as the month went on. Here are some of the specific things I experienced: 

1. Working out was easier.

I felt more energy and was able to do more reps in my workouts. It's no wonder; drinking water helps blood circulate through the body more easily, which brings oxygen to muscles.

2. No more bad breath.

Before this challenge, I carried gum with me constantly because my mouth was always dry and I had a gross taste in my mouth. But when I was well-hydrated, I noticed the bad taste was completely gone and I didn't need the gum anymore.

3. DRASTIC improvement in my anxiety.

Water is necessary in the production of certain hormones in the brain, including serotonin and others that regulate mood and emotions, and I definitely experienced that to be true. In situations that would normally cause my heart to start racing with anxiety, I felt in general much more calm.

4. No more crackly joints.

Sometimes when I would run up stairs, my ankles would make cracking noises with each step. Joints are supposed to be surrounded by a layer of water that protects and lubricates the joint, and after being hydrated for a month, I haven't heard my ankles or knees crack since April.

5. No more dizziness.

It's probably embarrassing for me to admit that I'd get a little light-headed every time I got up from the couch, but that's just how dehydrated I used to be. Being hydrated completely eliminated the dizziness.

6. Reduced headaches.

I used to get some form of a headache every single day, but this past month, I only experienced two or three headaches in total over the whole month. It was so much easier to enjoy my day and be productive when I wasn't in pain.

7. Increased ability to sing.

The few times that I had to sing at different events during the month, I noticed that higher notes were easier to hit and my voice's tone was smoother when I was hydrated.

8. Better skin.

Every single winter, I get patches of dry skin on my face that stick around until June, but this winter's dry patch went away by the middle of the month. And when it comes to acne, my skin was noticeably clearer.

There are many, many more benefits of staying hydrated beyond those specific short-term effects I experienced, like improved heart health (water naturally thins the blood and helps it flow more easily), improved cognitive function and memory, weight loss and anti-aging, and more. I fully intend to continue drinking 64 ounces of water every day, even though the 31-day challenge has ended. I feel really great.

The thing that made all the difference in this challenge was my RO (Reverse Osmosis) water filter under my kitchen sink. We've had it at my house ever since we renovated the kitchen in 2005, and I just took it for granted for a while, but during this challenge it made staying hydrated so easy. Pure, cool water comes out of a little faucet on my kitchen sink, so I just turned on the tap and refilled my water bottle with that filtered water every morning and afternoon. It tasted like fresh bottled water straight from a store. I live in an area where the municipal tap water is clean & safe to drink, but with the way tap water tastes, I wouldn't have made it through this challenge if I had to drink 64 ounces of tap water every day.

Reverse osmosis works by filtering water through a semipermeable membrane that only pure H2O molecules can pass through. This means that even dissolved substances, such as salt or even lead, can be filtered out. The only thing that comes out the other side is genuinely pure water. In fact, it's even cleaner than bottled water!

If you want to be healthier and feel better in every area of your life, drinking the recommended amount of water every day is a great and easy first step. Even just try it for a month and see how you feel, like I did. And if you hate the taste or the chemicals in tap water and you don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on bottled water every day, a good under-sink filter will be the perfect solution for you. I don't know what I would do without mine now, honestly, and it has lasted over 12 years without giving me any problems. Speaking from experience, it's definitely worth it!

Call us today at 586-459-0040 and ask us about our water filtration options!