Shorter Water Tower Gains OK in Albany

COLONIE - The Albany County Airport Authority gave the go-ahead Monday night for a shorter replacement in Loudonville for two Latham water towers that must come down to comply with federal restrictions on the airport's flight paths.

The Federal Aviation Administration has ruled that two water towers owned by the town of Colonie on Utica Avenue must come down because they are in the line of flight for many planes taking off and landing at Albany International Airport.

Three years ago, airport authority and town officials said they had found a spot near Albany Shaker Road and the Albany reservoir in the upscale hamlet of Loudonville. Likely advantages of the new site included improved water pressure and more efficient distribution of water throughout the town, officials said.

But residents objected and filed a lawsuit, claiming the 13-story tower would ruin views.

Under the revised plan, a lower tower, remaining just below treetop level, will be built and supplemented with a pump station.

Controversy over the removal of the taller Latham 3-million-gallon water tower, with its distinctive checkerboard design, has been simmering for about seven years.

During that period, the project has been expanded to include removal of a smaller, 100,000-gallon Latham tower. The design also includes installation of large water mains to connect the new tank with the town's water distribution system and maintain strong water pressure.

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