AUSTIN, Texas — Water towers in four Central Texas communities are in the running for national recognition, and residents have until Friday to help one of them win.
Tanks in Manor, Mason, Spicewood and West Lake Hills are among the entries in the 2026 Tank of the Year contest, an annual competition run by Kansas City, Missouri-based coatings manufacturer Tnemec Co. The contest recognizes water storage tanks across North America for their design, creativity and craftsmanship.
The West Lake Hills entry is a pale green ground-level tank ringed by a band of artwork by local elementary school students. The community asked the students to show what water conservation looks like to them, and their drawings were enlarged and painted onto the tank, according to the contest website.
The West Lake Hills entry is a pale green ground-level tank ringed by a band of artwork by local elementary school students. The community asked the students to show what water conservation looks like to them, and their drawings were enlarged and painted onto the tank, according to the contest website. (Photo: Tnemec Co.)
The other three local entries use more traditional designs.
In Mason, a white single-pedestal tower carries the town’s name in purple block letters, with the M set inside a horseshoe.
In Mason, a white single-pedestal tower carries the town’s name in purple block letters, with the M set inside a horseshoe. (Photo: Tnemec Co.)
The Manor entry, owned by Manville Water Supply Corp., is a white elevated tank on a concrete pedestal that displays the utility’s name and a valve logo.
The Manor-area entry, owned by Manville Water Supply Corp., is a white elevated tank on a concrete pedestal that displays the utility’s name and a valve logo. (Photo: Tnemec Co.)
In Spicewood, a classic multi-legged tower with a cone-shaped roof bears the letters “CR” in black.
In Spicewood, a classic multi-legged tower with a cone-shaped roof bears the letters “CR” in black. (Photo: Tnemec Co.)
Public voting for the People’s Choice award opened last week and closes Friday. Voters can choose their favorite at tankoftheyear.com. One vote is allowed per email address.
The People’s Choice winner automatically becomes a finalist. A committee of water tank enthusiasts then selects 11 more finalists, and the official Tank of the Year is chosen from those 12 entries. The winner is scheduled to be announced Oct. 23.
This year marks the contest’s 20th anniversary. Tnemec launched the competition in 2006 to give water professionals and communities a platform to share the stories behind tanks that have become local landmarks.
More than two dozen Texas tanks are entered this year.