South Haven’s New Water Tower Is Up for National Tank of the Year (and It Needs Our Votes)

Growing up in South Haven, the old blue "blueberry" water tower near Lovejoy Avenue was a permanent fixture of daily life. Do you remember it?

Here's a photo shared by the City last year:

Even after living in Grand Rapids for more than 20 years, whenever I take a trip back down I-196 or Blue Star Highway, I still instinctively look for those familiar sights that let you know you're getting close to the lake!

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Well, that familiar skyline just got a major makeover, and South Haven's brand-new water tower is officially competing for National Tank of the Year. Before you cast your vote (public voting is open right now through October 16), here is the story behind the upgrade and why the new tank looks the way it does.

Out With the Old "Blueberry" Water Tower

While the iconic 1963 standpipe served South Haven faithfully for over six decades, it was overdue for an upgrade. A ground-level standpipe relies strictly on a high column of water for pressure, and after 60 years, it could no longer keep up with growing local demand or modern storage needs.

To replace it, the South Haven Area Water-Sewer Authority tackled a massive overhaul.

Backed by more than $10.1 million in USDA Rural Development loans and $27.6 million from Michigan’s Drinking Water Revolving Fund, the city broke ground on a modern elevated storage system to ensure reliable pressure and clean drinking water for the next several decades.

A New South Haven Landmark

The new 1-million-gallon water tower on Aylworth Avenue has completely reshaped the skyline. The physical structure was hoisted 160 feet into the air on October 24, 2025.

Over the past year, crews wrapped up the plumbing connections, tested pressure, and integrated the new lift station. The new tower is now live and actively feeding into the system, which means the old "blueberry" standpipe's days are officially numbered before it gets decommissioned.

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Rather than going with a standard plain coat, the city turned the new tank into a canvas with a custom mural featuring the 1903 South Pierhead Light, complete with the iconic catwalk, soaring gulls, and sailboats on Lake Michigan blue.

The painting crew from MC Sandblasting & Painting in Cedar Springs used huge paper templates to lay out the artwork before applying the finish coat. It is designed with a specialized finish meant to hold up against harsh lake winds and sun without fading. I think the new tank looks great, and it turns out, lots of people agree.

How to Help South Haven Win

South Haven's water tower is one of nearly 300 entries competing in Tnemec’s national Tank of the Year contest.

If you want to help put South Haven on the national radar, public voting is open through October 16. The tank with the most votes wins the People’s Choice award, and a panel of judges will pick eleven other top tanks to feature in their annual calendar.

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You can cast your vote online here, once per email address to help support our corner of West Michigan!

It'd be another big win for South Haven after South Beach was crowned the No. 1 Michigan beach in 2026.