Eber’s water towers – Latvia

The leading trade journal in Sweden, VA-tidskriften Cirkulation has since 1998 an article series under the heading Ebers vattentorn (Eber’s water towers), where Eber Ohlsson with text and photo presents interesting water towers in the world (except Scania and Sweden). Below is a free translation to English of these texts.

Eber’s water towers in Cirkulation 4/2025

A free translation to English:

There are many examples in both time and space of health resorts that provide enriched water, although the additives may vary for the different health waters. Latvia is no exception. In Ķemeri, 40 km west of Riga, there has been a health resort since the Tsarist era that has provided care with sulfur-containing water.

This health resort received a 42 m high water tower in 1929, designed by architect Friedrich Skujins. The reservoir held 100 m3 of sulfur-containing water. Previously, there was a viewing platform at the top of the tower. After the collapse of the Soviet era, the tower has now regained its full glory.

Published 2025-06-04

Eber’s water towers in Cirkulation 3/2014

A free translation to English:

North of the Latvian city Liepaja built the Russian Tsarist Empire 1890-1906 a war-harbor, which is now called Karosta. It was an independent society with its own water supply, which in 1905 built a 37 meter high water tower in gothic style with its belonging steam engine driven pumps.

During the Soviet occupation of Latvia became Karosta a Soviet naval base, with at most 40 000 inhabitants, but prohibited for all civilians. Nowadays, visitors can see the difference between the Tsarist empire relatively well preserved red brick buildings and the miserable quality of the Soviet concrete buildings.

Published 2014-04-30