Alabama city flooded with calls asking why new water tower is painted orange and white

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A new water tower in Alabama is causing area residents to ask why the structure is painted like Neyland Stadium end zones on a Tennessee Saturday night.

A post shared by the City of Calera, Alabama on Tuesday said that a new water tower in the area has caused many people to call and ask why it is painted with an orange and white checkerboard pattern reminiscent of the Tennessee Volunteers.

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We've been flooded with calls about the new water tower on County Road 12 near Savannah Pointe. Yes, we know that bright, gaudy orange and white checkered pattern might scream "Tennessee Volunteers' end zone"—but rest assured, this is not some elaborate prank by city employees, and it hasn't been "vol-untarily" vandalized.

Post on the City of Calera Facebook page

The post goes on explain that the distinct coloration is federally mandated law due to the tower's proximity to nearby a municipal airport. Guidance from Federal Aviation Administration shared by the city states that "alternating rectangles of aviation orange and white" are used to make certain structures like water towers more conspicuous to pilots during daylight hours.

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"Believe it or not, this eye-catching design is federally mandated by the FAA because of the tower's proximity to the Shelby County Airport. Safety first, fashion second! So while it may look like we're making a bold statement in orange, we're just following the rules—no team loyalty implied!" wrote the city.

The explanation did not appear to be satisfactory to respondents in the comments of the city's post, a sentiment likely exacerbated by Tennessee's win over the Alabama Crimson Tide last month.

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