08-04-2025
New Canandaigua water tank takes shape. See the photos
CANANDAIGUA, NY — Those who left for work Monday may have noticed the new water tank pretty much in the same condition that it's been and thought nothing of it.
But by the time they came home, the large composite elevated water tank, which will serve customers in the towns of Canandaigua and Farmington, was scheduled to be hoisted from near the ground and placed atop a pedestal and welded into place.
The lift — a one-way trip of more than 100 feet — was expected to take about four hours.
Hydraulic jacks were set around the perimeter at the top and steel cables dangled down and were tied to the tank, which was then pulled up slowly — very slowly — according to Dave Herman, an engineer with the MRB Group, which serves as the engineering firm for the town of Canandaigua.
'You can almost imagine it wiggling itself up slowly,' Herman said.
Occasionally, bystanders could hear metal creaking and the faint voices of workers waft over an open field. To call it an action-packed spectator event would be an overstatement, but there is no understating its importance, however, to these communities.
When all is said and done, the new water tank on Brickyard Road will serve customers in the northern part of the town of Canandaigua and the southern part of the town of Farmington. The tank will have double the capacity, increasing from 1 million gallons to 2 million gallons.
Canandaigua town officials said the new tank will help stabilize pressure and ensure adequate fire flow in addition to supporting future commercial and residential growth in the two communities.
Customers in the water district that includes portions of the two towns are paying for the project, although Farmington Supervisor Peter Ingalsbe said grants have helped defray the cost.
Yes, there are two tanks there now, which can be seen easily from Route 332, between Yerkes and Purdy roads.
The existing tank — it's the one with 'Canandaigua' and 'Farmington' spelled out — was built back when The Beatles first came to the U.S. in 1964, a little longer than yesterday.
The $10 million project has been in the planning stages for several years, according to Ingalsbe.
The smaller, bluish tank will be taken down when the new one is commissioned, which could happen in November, Ingalsbe said.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New Canandaigua NY water tank takes shape. See the photos
