Update 8/6/25 – No solutions were brought before the utility commission. The utility will be scheduling the dismantle in 2027. If a proposed solution is brought forth in the meantime, those proposals should be presented to City Council.
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Due to the concerns residents have regarding the water tower, we wanted to take the opportunity to educate and provide some information. The last time the carousel water tower was used was in 2017. The required DNR maintenance (in 2017 was $300,000) was not economically feasible to keep the tower in service. In 2023, the carousel water tower was disconnected from the water system.
At the November 7, 2023 Waterloo Water & Light Commission meeting there was a motion to offer the carousel water tower at 212 Squire as a gift to the City of Waterloo. In a normal situation, the water tower would be dismantled. The Utility Commission felt that due to the painting on the water tower if the water tower would be kept as a historical landmark it would be a city decision, as it is the Utility’s mission is to provide electric, water and sewer services. The City took no action on the motion.
At the June 3, 2025 Waterloo Water & Light Commission meeting the commission directed staff to obtain dismantle bids and provide a public announcement.
The water tower was on the Utility Commission agenda for July 8th in which three residents attended. No action was taken by the Commission at the meeting, giving the concerned residents time to provide an alternate feasible plan. The tower will be placed on the utility agenda again for August 5, 2025.
If the tower is to be sold to a third party it will include surety, meaning that third party will need to be responsible for the debt of maintaining or dismantling the tower. There will be a time when this tower will need expensive maintenance and the buyer will be responsible for that maintenance or dismantling.
We hope that residents understand that it is not economically feasible to make repairs to a tower that is not in service. With the high winds that Waterloo has endured in the past few years and the roof corroding, we feel it is in the best financial interest and safety of our rate payers to dismantle the structure.
If you have questions, please contact the utility office at 920 478-2260, attend the August 5th Utility Commission meeting, or contact your City representative.