The twenty-nine metre high water tower, with a water reservoir of 600,000 litres, was built between 1895 and 1896 to supply the city with drinking water. It was constructed in the Neo-Renaissance style and features a roof terrace surrounded by battlements. Municipal architect Martinus Hartman designed the tower as a traditional brick structure with decorative masonry. In 2007, the tower was internally renovated to a design by Rocha Tombal Architects; the iron reservoir was preserved.