7th water tower set to operate

Methodist helped foot bill

Olive Branch’s newest water tower is expected to become operational next week, well before Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare opens its hospital nearby.

Workers filled the tank overnight July 7 when demand for water was low and water pressure was high. Pipes carried 2,300 gallons of water into the tank each minute.

Two disinfection tests were completed and the tower will soon become part of the city water system. It is the city’s seventh water tower. The tank holds 500,000 gallons.

Methodist funded almost half of the cost of the tank, designed to serve anticipated future commercial and residential growth in the hospital area. Methodist’s logo is on one side of the tank, and the city’s dove logo is on the other.

The hospital is on schedule to open next month, said David Baytos, CEO of the Olive Branch 100-bed facility. A ceremonial grand opening will be conducted 10 a.m. Aug. 21, but the hospital will not be open until 7 a.m. Aug. 26.

The hospital is near U. S. 78 and Bethel Road. The public is invited to attend the grand opening.

City officials expect land development near the hospital to take off once the hospital is open, thus the need for a water tower.

Caldwell Tank of Louisville, Ky., erected the water tower for about $1.28 million.

It costs the city about $100,000 a year to repair and maintain the seven towers, said city engineer Steve Bigelow. They are disinfected every so often and cleaned.