reference_implementations:infrastructure:water_towers:wt_10m_concrete

10 m Concrete Water Tower 5,000 L

AOFS Reference Implementation: 10 m Concrete Water Tower with 5,000 L nylon tank. Designed for simple, off-the-shelf steel construction using locally available materials.

This blueprint is non-normative and intended as a practical, low-tech reference for smallholder farms, NGOs, or off-grid installations.

Functional Purpose

  • Store 5,000 L of water in a tank elevated ~10 m for gravity-fed irrigation
  • Provide a higher-head water source for farms requiring greater pressure
  • Integrate optionally with AOFS Field Controllers for water level monitoring

Structural Concept

  • 10 m high simple reinforced concrete frame tower
  • Supports a standard 5,000 L nylon tank (locally available)
  • Open-top tank for inspection and filling
  • Integrated Ladder for maintenance
  • Tank is secured to the tower by being fully enclosed by a brick wall
  • Designed to be assembled with basic tools and local labor

Hydraulic Layout

  • Tank outlet feeds irrigation zones by gravity
  • Isolation valve allows manual control
  • Overflow routed safely to drainage or secondary container
  • Optional integration with a small pump for secondary irrigation zones

Safety Considerations

  • Ladder and hatch should be used carefully
  • Ladder should be protected from being accessed by children
  • Ensure the foundation is anchored down to the bedrock
  • Ensure good quality concrete and enough reinforcing steel of acceptable quality
  • Overflow and basic manual valve operation prevent flooding

Manual Operation Pathways

  • Tank filling and irrigation can be done manually if electronics fail
  • Paper-based logs or measurement sheets supported

Controller Integration Points

  • Optional water level sensor for Field Controller logging
  • AOFS control can read tank level for irrigation scheduling
  • Controller can enforce a minimum water level to ensure the tank remains gravity-stable against wind forces
  • Manual bypass always available — irrigation continues even if electronics are offline

Versioning Note

  • This design is simple and locally adjustable, so traditional versioning does not really apply
  • Builders may adapt frame dimensions, tank placement, or assembly method according to available steel, tools, and skills
  • Basic stability and functional operation should be maintained
reference_implementations/infrastructure/water_towers/wt_10m_concrete.txt · Last modified: by bsamuel