Cyndi Loza

Rosemont’s water tower — emblazoned with the image of giant colorful roses — is one of the northwest suburb’s most recognizable features. Now, some wider recognition has blossomed.

The gleaming 135-foot-tall tank — at River and Higgins roads, near O’Hare Airport — has been named “Tank of the Year” in a national industry competition.

A Kansas City, Mo., industrial paint and coating company, Tnemec, conducts the contest annually to recognize towers that use its products in creative ways, said the company’s executive vice president, Chase Bean. The Rosemont tower “stuck out as the clear winner … the mural on that tank is artwork.”

The 500,000-gallon tower, built in 1982, was repainted last year over the course of six months, said Rosemont Public Works Director Michael Raimondi. It’s the town’s only elevated tank, although there are two ground storage tanks, he said.

More than 100 tanks from across the country were involved in the competition, including a dozen or so from the Chicago area, Bean said.

“When they have all those types of tank projects to choose from, it’s exciting to have ours selected,” said Chris Burke, Rosemont’s consulting engineering.

The award was announced earlier this year, but a formal presentation will take place next month.

Other notables

Other notable water towers in the Chicago region:

• Calumet City: Two towers have smiley faces. One includes a bow tie, which is supposed to be the man. The other, the woman, has no bow tie.
• Darien: A water tower being built will resemble a lighthouse.
• Schaumburg: A tower is painted like a baseball near the Flyers minor league baseball team stadium.