Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2022

33 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com When Mount Pleasant Waterworks dismantled the Old Village water tower last July, they had already formulated a plan to extend its utility, benefit South Carolina’s marine environment and protect our natural resources — by donating it to the state as an addition for an artificial reef. That collaborative reef project recently earned them a national environmental award. Erected in 1934 at 520 King Street in the Old Village, the 100,000-gallon water tank was constructed to provide pressure and flow to the surrounding areas, according to MP Waterworks General Manager Allan Clum. It was used until the early 1990s, when underground storage tanks were built. After it became obsolete, the tower was rented out to cell phone companies to raise some additional revenue for the town, which justified retaining what had become a historical community landmark. Five years ago, an assessment was conducted that determined structural enhancements would be required to keep the tower standing, explained Clum. MP Waterworks evaluated all their options for rehabbing the tower — even considering a replica tank — and determined that it would cost $1 million to repair. They ultimately decided that it wouldn’t be feasible to have residential ratepayers cover BY COL I N MCCANDLESS Underwater Tower How a Mount Pleasant Landmark Helped Create an Artificial Reef Former Mount Pl easant Waterwor ks tower.

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