Cambridge water tower’s future rests on new tests

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Engineers have begun drilling and testing a “micro-pile” next to the Cambridge Water Tower to see whether it can help strengthen the old landmark.

The future of Cambridge’s 115-year-old water tower may rest on the results of new foundation testing now under way.

Waipā District Council has begun drilling and testing a “micro-pile” next to the brick landmark to see whether this modern foundation technique, coupled with internal seismic strengthening, could provide an affordable way to save the tower.

Council property services manager David Varcoe said the test will be crucial in shaping preliminary designs and cost estimates for potential restoration.

“We’re testing a foundation option that could work well,” Varcoe said. “If the results are positive, micro-piles could give us a practical and affordable way to strengthen the tower without major disruption.”

‘If the results are positive, micro-piles could give us a practical and affordable way to strengthen the tower without major disruption,’ Waipā District Council property services manager David Varcoe says.

The small but powerful steel-cased pile is being pressure-grouted and will be left for up to two weeks before being load-tested. The result will indicate how many piles would be needed to support the tower in a moderate earthquake.

“These piles are incredibly strong and flexible – they can handle both pushing and pulling forces,” Varcoe said. “By putting one to the test here, we’ll know whether this approach could give the tower a new lease on life.”

The micro-pile trial marks the latest stage in the council’s long search for a feasible way to preserve the structure, which was found to be earthquake-prone in 2014. A detailed seismic assessment completed earlier this year confirmed the tower meets only 20% of modern building-strength standards.

Council staff expect preliminary designs and costings for restoration options by early 2026, after which councillors will decide whether to restore or remove the tower.

The tower’s fate has been debated for years. Once a proud symbol marking the entrance to Cambridge, it was declared at risk of collapse in a significant quake. Initial strengthening estimates of about $6 million prompted councillors last year to opt for demolition – a move that would have cost roughly $800,000 – after 62% of 223 public submissions supported removal.

However, new engineering techniques and falling cost estimates have kept hopes alive. At a council workshop late last year, councillors agreed to include both removal and restoration options in the draft 2025-34 Long Term Plan budget, pending the outcome of further investigations.

Then-Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan said at the time that councillors had “pledged to keep an open mind about the future of the water tower.”

“We know how much this piece of history means to many people in Cambridge, and we are listening,” O’Regan said.