It was time for a shower. 

The City of Hartford Water Utility had a contractor pressure wash the exterior of the city's water tower at Highway K and Monroe Avenue. This cleaning is part of a routine maintenance cycle that's performed every three to four years to keep the tower in good condition.

The underside of the bowl always looks dirtier than the top because rain, dew, and humidity run down the tower and collect underneath, creating a damp spot where dust, pollen, and algae like to stick, while the top stays cleaner because it dries out quickly in the sun.

This maintenance work is conducted strictly on the exterior and does not affect the water inside the tower. Keeping the exterior clean helps protect paint and coating, slows corrosion, and makes it easier to spot small issues before they turn into bigger repairs.