The Fresno Water Tower was completed in November 1894 at the corner of Fresno and O streets for $20,000. It was built by the Fresno Water Company, then a supplier to the City. Chicago architect George Washington Maher designed the building, patterned after a centuries-old water tower in Worms, Germany. The tower stands 100 feet high. An interior wall supports a storage tank that held 250,000 gallons of water. The base of red brick, covered by plaster; the 250,000-gallon tank, rising above the catwalk, is built of riveted steel plates imported from Sweden. What with the leakage and being out of step in the city's growing water system, the tank was shut down and drained in 1963. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The water tower opened as a visitor center in 2001.

Historic Overview & Facts

Fresno’s Water History

Citizen’s first organized Fresno’s water system in 1876. The system changed hands a few times before the City of Fresno brought it in 1931.

Historic Overview

The original Fresno water system began in the year 1876 as a nonprofit organization inaugurated by a group of public-minded citizens. Initially, the Water System consisted of one pumping station composed of small pumps and two storage tanks located above the second floor of one of the early store buildings. This building was located on Fresno Street between "J" and "K" Streets, presently known as Broadway and Fulton.

By 1888, the town had grown to a small city which demanded an improved water distribution system. This was necessary because of several large fires, including the destruction of the first permanent courthouse. In 1888, the first pumping station and water tower, of a permanent nature, were constructed at Fresno and "O" Streets. These facilities were designed to be an integral part of a larger and continually expanding water system. This No. 1 station was in continuous use until 1959, when it was retired having served its useful purpose. Today, you know this building as the "Water Tower" which has been declared a historical structure.

Between the years 1887-1890, 4-inch & 2½-inch cast iron pipe, as well as 4-inch wrought iron water mains were laid out. Some of these original "permanent pipes" are still an integral part of our present water supply system.

The owner and operator of the system in 1888 was the Fresno Water Company. In 1904, the Fresno Water Company was purchased by Balch, Kerckhoff & Wishon, and was reorganized as the Fresno City Water Co. You may recognize these names because several lakes and electrical generating plants located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains east of us, have been given these names.

In 1926, the plant and distribution system was purchased by the California Water Service Company. This Company sold the water system to the City of Fresno in 1931, which operated as a municipal utility. It was first managed under an appointed water board, but currently is a Division of the Public Utilities Department.

Historic Facts

1876 The original Fresno water system began in the year 1876 as a nonprofit organization inaugurated by a group of public-minded citizens.

1885 Fresno was incorporated in October 1885. The City covered three square miles and had a population of 3,000 people.

1888 In 1888, the first pumping station and water tower, of a permanent nature, were constructed at Fresno and "O" Streets. The owner and operator of the system was the Fresno Water Company

1887-1890 4-inch & 2½-inch cast iron pipe, as well as 4-inch wrought iron water mains were laid out. Some of these original pipes are still an integral part of our present water supply system.

1894 In November 1894, the Fresno Water Tower was completed at the corner of Fresno and O Streets at a cost of $20,000. It was built by the Fresno Water Company.

1904 The Fresno Water Company was purchased by Balch, Kerckhoff & Wishon, and was reorganized as the Fresno City Water Co.

1926 The plant and distribution system was purchased by the California Water Service Company.

1931 California Water Service Company sold the water system to the City of Fresno in 1931, which operated as a municipal utility. It was first managed under an appointed water board.

1954 The City of Fresno's outermost city limits were Gettysburg to the North, Winery to the east, Hughes to the west and Vine Avenue to the south. There were 111,000 residents in the City.

1956 The Water Division pumped 16,384,942,000 gallons of water (50,283 ac.ft.) at a cost of $166,171.78.

1960 There were 45,879 water customers in Fresno.

1989 In January, Fresno County Waterworks Districts within the City’s sphere of influence, merged with the City of Fresno. The Water Division began operating the systems.

1996 The City adopted the Fresno Metropolitan Water Resource Plan to address growth and correct historic groundwater overdraft.

2004 The City’s first Surface Water Treatment Facility located in Northeast Fresno, started delivering water June 2004.

2005 On July 19, the City Council approved a resolution renewing the Central Valley Project (CVP) contract with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation for a period of 40 years, effective 3/1/05.

2006 On June 27, City Council authorized organization of a Utility Rate Commission to study increase of utility rates and formation of a municipal utility district.