The Water tower
In 1907, Southern Utrecht was also enriched with a water tower. Via free fall, high quality soft drinking water from the Soesterberg heath was provided. As a result, public health progressed with large steps. The photo shows the steam pile driver: absolutely necessary for such a weighty tower (1 million liters of water).
Due to the lack of electricity, gas lanterns were used to extend the working days. In 1962, this part of the Helling was renamed Heuveloord. After years of sealement, the tower was made ready for use again in 1998. The traditional heavy masonry with the battlements is reminiscent of a medieval knight's castle. The “bacon” layers, the many colored brick decorations and the wall irons refer to the Dutch Neo-Renaissance.
The tower has wooden intermediate floors and the various windows indicate the floors. The transition between tower hull and reservoir consists of a ring of ascending and fanning trough vaults. The bottom of the Intze 1 reservoir is of such a sufficient constructive strength, that a lot of material could be saved on the load-bearing walls.