The history of water towers in West Hempstead

The abundance of natural water sources such as the Pine and Schodack Brooks attracted early settlers to the vicinity of West Hempstead. Before 1926, farmers and families had hand pumps or drilled their own open wells on their properties to supply water for crops, animals and personal needs. In 1927, the West Hempstead Water District, one of the oldest in Nassau County, was established to meet the needs of a rapidly growing and increasingly commuter population. The district purchased a 27-acre watershed plot off Birch Street, but the first water tower, which was designed with a “teacup style,” was built on the 7th Street plot in Garden city South along with a little station house. In 1938, the second 225-foot high water tower was built by the main station house on Birch Street. The third and fourth wells were dug in 1951; the fifth was completed in 1953; sixth in 1955; and seventh at the Garden City South facility in 1965. In 1979, the eighth well and laboratory research facility were completed.
The wells ranged from 150 to 600 feet deep and tapped into the groundwater supply from the main water table, which was pumped up and mixed with air to raise the pH to 7. Then, chlorine was added for disinfection and caustic soda to control corrosion. Chemical analysis of water quality was performed twice a year. In May 2013, West Hempstead water was voted as the “Best Tasting Water in Nassau County” at Farmingdale University.
The water tower at Birch Street was painted in 1995 for $600,000. In 2004, the “teacup” water tower on 7th Street was replaced for $1.8 million after serving the community for over 70 years. In 2017, shortly after the West Hempstead Water District’s 90th anniversary, plans were made to replace the 1938 main water tower, now the last of its kind in the county. The $8.4 million bond for upgrades was approved and now in 2019, the new tower has risen on the West Hempstead horizon next to the original tower to meet the needs of the ever-changing community.
The West Hempstead Historical Society welcomes residents to view the “History of the West Hempstead Water Department” on display at the library now through mid June.

Submitted by Lesley McAvoy