Milan Waterworks Improvement Project
Project Highlights
- New single pedestal water tower painted as a basketball, celebrating Milan’s “Basketball Town USA” heritage
- Water stays in the new tank for about half as long as in the old one, so residents get fresher drinking water
- $4.5 million in SRF low-interest loan and grant funds, plus $700,000 in OCRA CDBG grant funds
- Replaced approximately 14,000 feet of watermain and 128 service lines
Project Summary
A community is like a team, all working toward a common goal. The Milan Miracle of 1954 is a good example. A small-town basketball team defeated a powerhouse school to win the Indiana State Championship, and that victory of persistence and teamwork remains central to Milan’s identity. The same spirit showed in the 2025 completion of the Town’s Waterworks Improvement Project.
The Town’s original storage tank was built in 1964. It had regular preventative maintenance, but the standpipe needed repairs too often and at too high a cost to keep performing well. A life cycle cost analysis showed that replacing the tank was the best investment for the Town. The project was financed by $4.5 million in low-interest loan and grant funds from the Indiana State Revolving Fund (SRF). The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) also awarded $700,000 through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
After comparing several tank styles, the team selected a single pedestal tank. It offers more effective storage for fire protection and water pressure, along with lower long-term coating maintenance costs. Water sits in it for about half as long as in the old tank, so residents get fresher drinking water.
The tank’s round shape also made it perfect for a basketball design. The Town was already working on a basketball theme when Town Engineer Bob Curry noticed the resemblance, and the idea took off. “We are known for the ’54 team and museum, along with festivities, but Indiana is the basketball state of the nation,” said Milan Town Council President Deb Shumate. The tower now proudly brands Milan as “Basketball Town USA.”
The new one-of-a-kind tank serves the Town’s nearly 750 customers and meets growing water demand in the area. The project also included:
- Replacement of approximately 14,000 feet of watermain
- Replacement of 128 service lines
- Demolition of the old 100,000-gallon tank
- Hydrant and valve improvements
The project did more than improve water quality. It also sparked a new community group, FOCUS on Milan, which works with residents, local businesses, and Town government to help Milan grow and thrive. With better water and on-point branding, the Town of Milan scored another historic victory for generations to come.
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