I-Team: Many of Chicago's aging water tanks fail inspection

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An I-Team exclusive: safety concerns about aging water tanks on top of Chicago buildings and what the city is doing to deal with the issue.

Old rooftop water towers dot the Chicago skyline showing signs of their age. After two recent accidents, the I-Team started looking into the tanks.

Records show many are in a state of disrepair. Building owners are ultimately responsible for keeping the structures safe. On Thursday, the city tells the I-Team about urgent actions being taken to have the tanks inspected immediately.

A 5,000 gallon tank fell from the Brewster Building in Lakeview last summer, injuring 3 people. About half of the approximately 170 tanks on Chicago rooftops are still in use, such as this one in River North that sprung a massive leak in February.

City records show both tanks failed inspection.

"It's a public safety issue and that's why it should be a concern," said David Corr, a professor of structural engineering at Northwestern University.

The I-Team spot checked two dozen other locations. According to the