Nope, they are not  funnels, they are water Towers. They are storage tanks for H2O in Kuwait.

These  huge  33  Torres mushroom towers  are  designed by VBB, Sune Lindström , Joe Lindström &  Stig Egnells and holds a combined storage capacity of 102.000m3  and are the most visible symbol of the storage system and water distribution in Kuwait City. Aside from the glamorous Kuwait Towers, they are next prominent landmark of Kuwait. I think they are really a distinct design which I can only identify to this country.

Kuwait may have abundant electric power supply and they have oil, lots of it, but water in Kuwait is like diamonds. It´s a precious commodity and as far as I remember, the tap water is not suitable for drinking so we always buy tons and tons of bottled water everyday. I would carry them up to our flat villa since the elevator works only up to the 2nd floor. To tell you frankly, I think, the prices of oil is cheaper than bottled water!

I have lived in Kuwait for 8 long years and seeing these Water Towers ever single day is always part of my daily sightings, I see them on good fine weathers, on dusty and sandstormy ones, and they always bring me fond memories whenever I reflect on them.The blue and white stripe colors is really a great contrast on an arid weather that we always have there. They shined so bright and you can see them from a far so easily. Going to work, I see these mushrooms alongside the Bayan Palace in the 5th Ring Road. Of all the Towers spread all over Kuwait, I think they are the most striking; probably second to the beautiful Kuwait Towers! But then it is only on my opinion. I love it as well when they repainted it during the Hala February celebrations and put on some crazy lights in all the months of the festivities. Especially at night, they could really looked amazing!

Each reservoir has a standard capacity of 3000m3 and are supported by shafts of different heights.

The number of towers in each group varies between 6 and 9 and is determined by the consumption of each area. The towers are groups formed by pillars open rooms, which provide shades to the garden areas that develops underneath. Only two of the groups have landscaped gardens which are accessible to public.

How would I compared this structure to water consumption with my brand new life here in Germany? Well, a lot actually. Expat lifestyle is also very different.Kuwait is a desert country but rich in oil. I could count numerous times where I can’t take shower because we don’t have water in the 7th floor. I had to laugh when I remember that I had to wash my daughter’s poppy ass with bottled water. Typical scenario,right? Ordering boxes of water from a nearby Bakala is also typical for most households.

Here is Germany, I could just grab a glass of water directly from the faucet. It’s clean & drinkable. But did I told you about the high calcium deposits? Yes, we got anti-calc solution to take care of this.So when I think of water, I’ve got different perspectives from different worlds. In some areas, its scarce, in some place, it’s abundant.

But yes, these Mushroom Towers are rather fascinating, one of a kind.Only in Kuwait I must say. I wonder how it looks nowadays? I have heard that there are new modern buildings and infrastractures that has been built from the past years…

What do you find fascinating in your new country?

This post is in response to this week’s Photo Challenge |H2O

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