Earthoid: Earth Globe Water Storage Tank is a two-million-gallon WSSC Water storage tank painted as a globe at 20200 Observation Dr, Germantown, MD 20876, on the edge of Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus. Rising roughly 100 feet above the surrounding campus, this working piece of public infrastructure is known locally as the Earthoid: an outsized map of the planet that makes an unusual, free stop for photographers, families, and fans of engineered landmarks.
What to Expect at Earthoid: Earth Globe Water Storage Tank
The Earthoid is an exterior landmark rather than a museum or visitor attraction with an interior route. Its spherical form is painted with blue oceans and continental landmasses, turning a utilitarian water-storage structure into a striking lesson in the scale of public water systems. The tank is owned and maintained by WSSC Water, while its globe concept was developed by Montgomery College Germantown students; the name “Earthoid” came from that student connection.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens or use a phone’s panoramic setting: the tank’s height and rounded silhouette read best from a little distance along Observation Drive and nearby campus walkways. There are no exhibits, guided tours, ticket desk, café, shop, restrooms specifically for Earthoid visitors, or public access inside the tank. Pair the stop with a self-guided look around Montgomery College’s academic campus, including the Bioscience Education Center and High Technology and Science Center.
- Globe-painted tank: A functioning, two-million-gallon water tank whose blue-and-green exterior depicts Earth.
- 100-foot scale: The tower’s approximate height makes it visible well beyond the immediate campus streetscape.
- Student-origin identity: Montgomery College Germantown students developed the globe concept and coined the Earthoid name.
- Engineering subject: The structure offers a clear visual entry point to discussions of municipal water storage and distribution.
- Outdoor photography stop: Daylight views allow visitors to frame the globe against changing Maryland skies without an admission ticket.
Earthoid: Earth Globe Water Storage Tank at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 20200 Observation Dr, Germantown, MD 20876 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Germantown; Montgomery College Germantown Campus area |
| Operating Hours | No visitor hours are published; view the exterior from public campus roads and walkways in daylight. |
| Admission / Price Range | Free exterior viewing; no ticketed interior access. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 15 to 30 minutes, or longer when combined with a campus walk. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Montgomery College Germantown is served by Ride On connections; campus parking rules and designated spaces apply. |
| Official Website & Phone | WSSC Water; 301-206-4001 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Visit in morning or late afternoon for softer light on the painted continents and fewer parked vehicles in photographs. Because Earthoid is active water infrastructure, treat it as a look-from-outside landmark: do not attempt to enter fenced or service areas, climb barriers, or expect tours. There is no reservation system. Check Montgomery College’s campus calendar before visiting, as class activity and special events can affect traffic and parking availability.
Drivers should enter the Montgomery College Germantown area via Observation Drive and follow posted campus parking instructions; accessible spaces are designated on campus. For public transport, plan a Ride On connection to Montgomery College Germantown using the Montgomery County transit system. The exterior can be viewed from paved outdoor areas, but Earthoid has no public interior, elevator, seating area, or dedicated visitor facilities. Within a short walk, the Montgomery College campus, its Bioscience Education Center, and its High Technology and Science Center extend the science-and-design theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to see Earthoid?
Earthoid has no published attraction hours because it is a working water-storage tank, not an indoor venue. Visit during daylight for clear viewing and photography; early morning and later afternoon usually give the globe more directional light.
Does Earthoid charge admission or require a reservation?
Viewing the Earthoid from public outdoor areas is free, and no reservation is required. There is no public tank tour or interior admission; follow all posted WSSC Water and Montgomery College access restrictions.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow 15 to 30 minutes to photograph the tank and see it from more than one angle. Add time if you plan to walk the Montgomery College Germantown Campus or combine the stop with other Germantown errands and attractions.
Is Earthoid suitable for children and wheelchair users?
Families can use the globe as a simple conversation starter about geography, water conservation, and engineering, though children should remain with adults near roads and parking areas. Viewing is outdoors from campus paths and streets; use designated accessible parking and paved routes, as the tank itself has no public visitor entrance or interior access.
When planning your Germantown travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Germantown, pair this stop with standout local spots including TownePlace Suites Memphis Germantown, Seneca Creek State Park, Sabai Sabai Simply Thai, and LongHorn Steakhouse (0.8 km away).
