South Base landmark torn-down, replaced Published Sept. 16, 2014 By Rebecca Amber Staff writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The South Base water tower that once stood as a 160-foot red and white landmark found itself torn down and dried out in the desert Sept. 16. 412th Civil Engineering members and contractors gathered outside a safety radius to watch as an excavator tore down the elevated 200,000 gallon non-potable water tank, which was designated as Building 516. The tank, constructed in the late 40s or early 50s, was used to supply water to the South Gate entry control building restrooms along with surrounding facilities in the second half of the 1900s. In its place, a new 5,000-gallon potable water tank was installed last spring, adjacent to Well C-1 at Branch Pond. The new tank stands about 10 feet high making maintenance much more safe. The old tank transported water through an old water line that leaked from deterioration. Once the smaller tank became operational, the water supply was capped-offed and the old tank was drained. To prepare for the demolition of the tower, the base of the center column was cut in advance. Just before tearing down the tower by cable, contractors and local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel cut through one leg with a specially-equipped excavator to weaken it and loosened the bolts. "It was more economical to put a 5,000 gallon tank with new PVC pipe that would supply water to the guard shack," said Joseph Hunt, 412th Civil Engineering project manager. "One of the benefits is that we are not going to lose any more water." The red and white tank once sat near Bldg. 151 on South Base before it was re-located in the 50s to its last position off of South Lancaster Blvd. "The water tank used to sit at South Base somewhere around the current 151 area. When hangars 1207 and 1210 were moved in 1955 to Main Base, the water tank was moved to its current location somewhere in the same timeframe to support the water systems required for the sled track braking system and all the surrounding support facilities," said Jerry Keltner, 412th CE Water Department engineering technician. "It was moved in the standing position on dollies under each leg - so I have been told by my dad who worked in the CE water shop back then." "They were moving gigantic things back then," added Hunt. The tower will be cut into pieces and sent off-base for recycling.