The Pumping Station

The Pumping Station was built in 1899 after the Town of Waterloo took ownership of public utilities, by the establishment of its own waterworks plant. On May 21, 1889 Council approved By-law 99 which authorized “The Waterloo Water Works Company” to provide water to the Town of Waterloo. Berlin supplied water to Waterloo from 1889 to 1899, at which point the agreement expired. It was at this point that the town established its own Water Commission consisting of David Bean as Chairman, Aloyes Bauer, John Ritzer and Mayor Diebel. A debenture of $40,000 was approved for a complete water-works system to be located at the William Street East site. The Pumping Station began operation in 1899, with three artesian wells with a daily flow of 750,000 gallons, providing the city with water and fire protection.

The Pumping Station, designed in the Victorian Industrial style, is constructed of yellow-brick, laid in a common bond pattern with headers every seventh course. A projecting ornamental brick pattern exists along the roof line of the building. Decorative brickwork and a concrete keystone exist over each of the many windows. The architectural detail found on the structure is consistent with the design of utility buildings of the time.