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In April of 1899 a delegation of concerned citizens approached St Marys Town Council to request a plebisite for the purpose of installing a municipal water system. Council granted their request and prepared the necessary by-law. Three months later the by-law proposal carried and council on July 24, 1899 proceeded with the municipal waterworks.
Council appointed Willia Chipman, a civil engineer from Toronto and a pioneer in the construction of municipal waterworks systems. Mr. Chipman's plans called for pumping facilities, seven miles and water mains and a 75,000 gallon water tank.
Work began in September of 1899. Stone work was done by Robert Clyde, a local mason and steel work by John Inglis and son.
In May of 1900 the new waterworks system, including the tower, was tested and put into service. Since that time the tower has stood as a significant landmark to the people of St Marys and surrounding area.
In 1977 extensive restoration was completed.
The water tower has been designated a Canadian Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association and
is significant in the history of Public Water Supply.
Designated a heritage property July 25, 1978.
| Wonder of St Marys, Ontario |
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From their web site www.awwa.org 
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. AWWA is defined by six core competencies, through which we communicate and interact with all of our audiences. More information about each competency is available by clicking the links listed across the top of every page on the Web site. Together, the competencies distinguish AWWA as the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of drinking water in North America and beyond.
Founded in 1881, AWWA is the largest organization of water supply professionals in the world. Its more than 57,000 members represent the full spectrum of the drinking water community: treatment plant operators and managers, scientists, environmentalists, manufacturers, academicians, regulators, and others who hold genuine interest in water supply and public health. Membership includes more than 4,700 utilities that supply water to roughly 180 million people in North America.
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