Hartford City Considers $25,663 Annual Water Tower Maintenance Program

From the Hartford City Board of Public Works and Safety and Common Council meetings on August 3, 2026

Hartford City is weighing a long-term maintenance contract with USG Water for its water towers, following a recent $789,000 rehabilitation.

USG Water, which currently maintains the city's towers and operates mixers to prevent water stagnation, proposed a program for the Richmond Street Tower starting at $25,663 per year — roughly $2,100 per month — with 3% annual increases. By year 10, the monthly cost would reach approximately $2,900. The program includes annual inspections and a full washout with interior inspection every three years.

The McDonald Street Tower is excluded from the proposal. USG Water identified an interior area that may be permanganate staining or a coating failure and wants to wait for the 2027 washout to determine the cause before quoting that tower.

The city previously received these numbers in 2020, when the annual cost was $51,499 — before the rehabilitation was completed. The lower current figure reflects the new coatings, which carry a 20-year warranty. The Water Superintendent recommended the program as a way to avoid a future lump-sum rehab expense. The city can exit the contract at any time; USG Water cannot.

No vote was taken. Councilman Ron Duddleston requested that USG Water's representative return for a presentation to the full council at the September 8 meeting.

Source: Hartford City BOW and Common Council meeting transcripts, August 3, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.