The Water Tower was designed as a medieval dungeon on five levels, with square cross section of 10 m.
- Building height: 38 m.
- Water tank capacity: 400 t
The architecture project belongs to the architects Dunn & Watson Scotland (acc. the letter of The James M MacLaren Society, October 9, 2012 )
- The architectural style: eclectic – secession with industrial ascendance
Built in 1896 by Meyer Ltd London as a civil engineering work – part of the town water supply system. The water tower included at its fifth floor an iron tank filled with 400 tones of water in order to equalize pressure in peak periods. The certificate for drinking water was given by the renowned Romanian bacteriologist Victor Babes in 1925. Due to new technologies appeared, the water tower is not working since 1956.
The history:
1885: First discussions on the introduction of the water supply in town between the municipality and Meyer London representatives.
1894: The negotiations on water supply system restarted. The necessity of a sewerage system appeared in addition. At the international tender attended: Meyer London, Kalman Toth Arad and Kruth Karoly Arad.
15/06/1894: The construction works are assigned to the consortium Meyer FT for water supply – Hughes & Lancaster for sewerage
- The contract value: 1,556,691 crowns (1 kg gold = 3280 Kr)
- The terms of works completion: max. 3 years
- The water supply system: 41 m depth drilled wells with Worthington pumps and water pipes of 26 m length and Ø 75 to 325 mm diameter.
- The sewerage system used for the first time in Europe the Shone tehnology: a 18 km ceramic pipes (Ø 178 mm) network.
The new water supply and sewerage system offered a high degree of comfort to the citizens, reason for which the town Arad will be included among the highest-ranking cities of the kingdom.
The municipality contracted an investment loan of 850,000 Florins for a period 50 years, guaranteed with the real estate property of the city. The source of loan repayment: by increasing the taxes collected from citizens.
02/02/1895: In the meeting of the Commissions for Water Supply and Sewerage System, Meyer representatives suggested a water tower necessary for pressure equalization (plant protection) and peak periods compensation.
18/02/1895: Founded the ‘The Apeduct Joint Stock Company’ based in Arad and opening of the construction works by the consortium Meyer – Hughes & Lancaster London. The financing banks assigned: ‘The First House for Money Keeping’ and ‘The Bank for Peoples and Industry’.
02/03/1895: The municipality approved the imports (pipes and construction materials). The recommendation on building the water tower made by Meyer representatives are examined and approved.
26/04/1895: The agreements concluded by the Municipality of Arad are approved by the Internal Affairs Ministry in Buda, Hungary
15/11/1896: Construction works completion
1925: The water potability is certified by the famous Romanian bacteriologist Victor Babes.
1927: The tower is restored after the fire in 1927, produced by a lightning. After that the water tower basin is less and less used. Last filled in 01/05/1956.
1960: Started the building restoration, due to cracks in the walls. The works are abandoned in 1964.
1990 marks a new beginning of the building known today as ‘The Water Tower Galleries’, privately owned by Horia Truta (historian). The start of all necessary consolidation and rehabilitation works
1996: The Water Tower enters the circuit of the cultural, tourist and historical center of Arad with its Fine Art Galleries, Water and Fire Museum, art exhibitions, conference halls, summer garden and other specialized events.
Today the tower is one of the most beloved cultural sites of the town, promoting the local visual arts, history and literature.
Contact:
The Water Tower Art Galleries, 11 Ceaikovski Street, Tel: (+40)257 280 886
The owner: Mr. Horia Truță
Opened for visitors: Mo to Fr, from 10:00 until 17:00
This page has the following sub pages.
Arad Heritage 
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