Water tower dating to 1911, by Sir Reginald Blomfield. Built of tooled ashlar facing on a brick core, with a pyramidal slate roof. Designed with Baroqque Revival detailing, with a battered plinth, clasping pilasters, and plain parapet on corbels. Constructed of two stages, and laid to a square plan, with on each side a projecting centre with rebated corners and five small windows. The south front has a massive door surround with channelled rustication and a cove-moulded round headed doorway with keystone, double doors and fanlight, with an inscribed datestone above. The second stage has a central bracketed canopy on each side, with the City arms in a cartouche to the south, and round windows in the remainder. Flanking panels have fleurs-de-lys in relief. The iron water tank is carried on a brick cylinder. The structure was given an elaborate ashlar facing to blend with the nearby historic buildings. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate entry in the National Heritage List for England. {1}{2} The water tower on Westgate was built by Sir Reginald Blomfield and it dominates the skyline. Construction started in 1910, with the tower being complete and opened by October 1911. The water tank is carried on a circular brick tower with a square outer tower faced in brown Darley Dale gritstone. The upper parts are corbelled out with bracketed hoods over the windows, and a cartouche, inlay panels either side with fleur-de-lys. The design was styled to resemble a medieval castle keep. The mild steel tank used to hold the water has a capacity of 300,000 gallons. {3}{4}{5} The water tower was built in response one of the worst typhoid outbreaks in the country's history. In 1904-5, over 1000 people in Lincoln contracted typhoid and 113 people died after consuming contaminated water from the River Witham, which was the main supply for the city at that time. After the outbreak, a new supply for the city was obtained in 1908, from Elkesley, Nottinghamshire. The water tower at Westgate, Lincoln and the Bracebridge Heath reservoir (see MLI125666) were opened in 1911 and 1912 respectively, with water being pumped first to the Westgate tower, and surplus water passing by gravitation to the reservoir. {6} The tank inside the tower is of rivetted iron, and is supported on a circular brick shaft encased within a massive, square, stone masonry outer structure, designed to blend in with the nearby castle and cathedral. The voids in the corners between the brick and stone structures are utilised for stairwells, giving access to the tank and tower roof. {7}