Unsightly Water Tanks Get The Boot

By Joseph Orovic

The borough will lose two decaying eyesores in the coming months, after much prodding by elected officials.

Two rusted water tanks will soon disappear in Eastern Queens.
The Dept. of Environmental Protection will dismantle two elevated water storage tanks, one on 199th Street in Hollis and the other on 164th Street in Jamaica Estates. The defunct water-storage behemoths became rusted hulks representing a bygone era.

"While these tanks once served a useful purpose, they have become a blemish on the communities they once served," said DEP Commissioner Cas Holloway. "Their removal is a testament to the progress we've made improving the City's Water infrastructure."

The 80-year-old tanks, vestiges of the Jamaica Water Supply Company, fell out of favor shortly after the DEP took control of them in 1996. Through upgrades and improved distribution, the tanks were eventually rendered useless.

Several elected officials lauded the move, saying it was time the sun set on the unfortunate landmarks.

"It served its purpose, it did its job and now it's going into retirement," said State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), who was instrumental in handing control of the tanks to the DEP.

Terrasan Environmental Solution, Inc. was awarded the demolition contract, which requires they chop the tanks into chunks and scrap their remnants. The tank in Hollis will be gone by the end of the month, with its Jamaica Estates counterpart to follow shortly thereafter.

Some elected officials weren't as sentimental as Padavan, as they recalled the notoriously troubling service the tanks and Jamaica Water Supply offered. From less-than-clean water to unreliability, officials echoed the sentiments of Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica).

"Thank you DEP," he said. "Goodbye and good riddance."

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127.