
During the Madera City Council meeting on October 4, 2023, a contract was unanimously approved for the renovation of the Loy E. Cook Water Tower.
Located at the intersection of South and Columbia streets in the southwest corner of the city, this iconic water tower, built in 1962, boasts a one-million-gallon capacity. The renovation project is being undertaken by Unified Field Services Corporation. Their tasks include structural enhancements, applying a fresh coat of paint to restore the Madera heart logo to its original size and color, and replacing the interior coating, water supply line, and valves. Funding for this project has been allocated from the water utility and capital improvement projects budgets for the fiscal year 2023-24, sourced from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
A comprehensive interior relining process was completed on March 1, 2024. This involved applying a multi-coat industrial epoxy system to protect the tank's steel surfaces from corrosion for the next three decades. The tank has been refilled, and thorough laboratory testing has been conducted on samples in accordance with EPA and State Waterboard regulations. Certified lab tests have confirmed that the levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the water remain well below established regulatory limits.
Residents may notice a temporary change in taste or odor in their tap water over the coming weeks as the water tank is placed back in service. This change is solely a result of the recent maintenance work and does not pose any threat to the safety or quality of the water supply. The City will continue regularly monitoring water supplies to ensure the integrity of its water systems.
For more information, view the Water Quality Update Notice or see additional resources below:
Water Quality Lab Test Results
Water Tower Special Sampling (May 13, 2024)
Water Tower Special Sampling (March 14, 2024)
Water Tower Special Sampling (April 12, 2024)
Bacteriological Water Analysis
Council Reports
Contract Award for the Renovation of the Cook Water Tower, City Project No. W-22 and W-34
Amendment No. 2 to an Agreement with Beyaz and Patel Inc. Regarding the Loy Cook Water