A municipal water tank in Fargo, North Dakota, is this year's winner of the Tank of the Year competition presented by Tnemec Company Inc., a leading provider of high-performance coatings.
A panel of water tank enthusiasts selected the water tank based on criteria such as artistic value, the significance of the tank to the community and challenges encountered during the project. As the 2025 contest winner, the tank will appear in the most prominent position in Tnemec's annual Tank of the Year calendar alongside the other top finalists.
The winning tank was painted with Tnemec's UV-resistant, long-lasting fluoropolymer finish, Series 700 HydroFlon, which will provide long-term color and gloss protection to the tank's intricate design for years to come.
"Once again, we at Tnemec were thrilled by the incredible response to this year's Tank of the Year contest," says Kevin Morris, Tnemec's director of sales for the water tank market. "Each year, we're inspired by the creativity and vision behind these projects. Across North America, communities continue to transform their water tanks into lasting landmarks that celebrate both utility and local pride."
This year's winning tank stands tall in Fargo, North Dakota. This new downtown water tower doesn't just replace three aging multileg tanks, it redefines the city skyline. At 2.5 million gallons, it's the largest elevated water storage facility in North Dakota, and with its central location, it was the perfect canvas for Fargo's first public art installation. The city invited the community to help shape the design, bringing together residents, businesses, universities and staff to capture Fargo's spirit. The finished mural tells a story of place: the winding Red River of the North, the city's skyline, favorite outdoor activities and local symbols woven together into one bold, colorful landmark.
Other water tanks among the top 12 finalists for 2025 are in Bondurant, Iowa; Lansing, Michigan; Shakopee, Minnesota; Edmond, Oklahoma; Longview, Texas; Bridgeport, Texas; Pasadena, Texas; Rockwall, Texas; Bainbridge Island, Washington; Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Over 340 water tanks were nominated, and over 16,000 online "People's Choice" votes were cast this year from across the U.S. Cheyenne, Wyoming, was the winner of the People's Choice competition, with a design that reflects the region's natural beauty and heritage.
"Since 2006, Tnemec has been recognizing municipalities for their aesthetic, creative and innovative uses of our high-performance coatings on water storage tank projects," Morris says. "This year's finalists represent several different types of water tanks in various shapes and sizes, all of them impressive for one reason or another."
The Tank of the Year will be featured as the month of January in Tnemec's 2026 water tank calendar. All finalists and nominees will be included in the following calendar months.
For more information on Tank of the Year and to request a 2026 Tank of the Year calendar, visit tankoftheyear.com.
