When the water tower was built in 1936, this single source of elevated water storage was not planned to meet the water system needs of 2025. This water tower used by Indian Hill Water Works (IHWW) holds 500,000 gallons while IHWW produces a daily average ranging from 1.5 million gallons (in winter) to 5 million gallons per day (in summer). Not only is the existing tower under capacity, but the capacity is operationally limited because there is only a 3’ elevation range it must be kept within to properly pressurize the water system.
With an effective operating capacity in the current structure of only 70,000 gallons out of 500,000 gallons (14%), it requires a continued source of pumped water to remain in operation. The effective storage only lasts about 15 minutes during the summer and requires replenishment by some means of pumping from the underground storage tanks. Pumped water depends on electricity, which is not as reliable as gravity, to pressurize the water system.
To assist in prolonging the tower’s viability through the years, the Village performed significant infrastructure improvements:
- 1963 – Two (2) 1-million-gallon underground tanks installed
- 1965 – Perimeter Seal/Concrete Repair 1976 – Exterior and Interior rehabilitation 1981 – Tower relining
- 1988 – One (1) 1-million-gallon underground tank installed 1992 – Tower restoration after fire damage
- 2005 – Epoxy liner installed
- 2012 – Fill pipe, catwalk, and windows replaced
The Village has three Master Plans which all recommend a water tower replacement with a 1 million-to-1.5-million-gallon tank.
Currently, the tower needs a new liner, a new roof, and extensive exterior repair. Village Council determined it is not fiscally responsible to spend $2 – $3 million dollars on rehabilitating a structure that is close to the end of its useful life (not counting on-going maintenance costs in perpetuity) and doesn’t meet the required needs of the water system.