2023 Water Tower Building Contest

Held During the Annual Conference's Section Celebration on Thursday, October 19, 2023

REGISTER TO COMPETE | ANNUAL CONFERENCE DETAILS

The Challenge: Build the tallest free-standing tank to successfully holds eight ounces of water for at least 30 seconds.

This competition sponsored by Dixon Engineering will stretch your skills and creativity as your team MacGyvers a water tower from a limited inventory of basic household and office supplies. Here's how to compete:

 1. Register Your Team

Entries will be limited to the first six received.

Each team must have two or three members, and you will be asked to provide a team name.

To be eligible, your team leader must be an Iowa Section AWWA member in good standing.

2. Build Your Tower

The Competition will take place in the Exhibit Hall during the Section Celebration the evening of Thursday, October 19, 2023.

Your team will have 10 minutes to plan your design using the provided “construction materials” including things like drinking straws, paperclips, toothpicks, and—yes—chewing gum. Then, you will have up to 30 minutes to construct your tank. Be prepared to think on the fly as one or more components may be added or removed during the construction period.

Your construction time will be recorded in case a tiebreaker is required. 

3. Put Your Tower to the Test

The judge will add eight ounces of water to your tank (a 16-oz plastic cup), and immediately measure the tower from the base to the top rim of the tank. Your tank must remain standing and hold the water for at least 30 seconds. The tallest tank to do so wins. Recorded construction times will be used to break any height measurement tie.

The winning team will take home bragging rights and a trophy.