Keep the water tower, Fort officials told City Council this week.

The 68-year-old tower is a valuable landmark, and getting rid of it would cost almost as much as maintaining it, according to a report released Tuesday, Sept. 17.

The tower is a landmark with symbolic value, the report notes. The report also recommends keeping the mural, which needs to be repainted.

The tower should, however, be taken out of service, as it is no longer needed as part of our local water supply, the report adds.

Water pressure is now maintained by electric pumps at Fort Saskatchewan's two reservoirs. The tower only supplements these pumps.

Keeping the tower in full service will soon require some $2.45 million in mid-life repairs and upgrades, as well as costing $100,000 per year to operate.

Taking the tower out of service will still require $1.2 million for some structural repairs and new paint. Annual maintenance costs would be reduced to $57,500.

The tower also holds cell phone and radio equipment for emergency services and the water meter reading system. Should the water tower be demolished, a new radio tower would have to be built. Getting rid of the water tower would therefore cost about $1 million