July 9, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Maguire.

Think of a water tower as a linchpin for growth.

These towering structures do far more than define a skyline — they serve as the backbone of new residential, commercial and industrial developments, providing solid infrastructure for building strong communities.

Opening the door to growth

At the ground level of development — whether it’s a new housing subdivision, a retail hub or an industrial park — access to reliable water infrastructure becomes a key factor in determining success. By providing increased water storage and ensuring stable water pressure, a water tower enables municipalities and developers to move forward with confidence.

“At Maguire, we partner with local governments, rural water systems, engineers and private developers to design and build water towers that meet current needs and anticipate future demand,” said Brian Cooper, vice president of business development at Maguire. “This proactive approach helps communities avoid bottlenecks in growth and stay competitive when attracting new businesses and residents.”

Functionality that fuels development 

A water tower is not just a structure — it’s a strategic asset. Here’s how it supports sustainable development:

• Additional storage: Water towers store large volumes of treated water, providing a buffer that ensures consistent availability even during peak usage times or emergencies.
• Stable pressure: The elevation of the tower allows gravity to naturally maintain water pressure throughout the system. This reliable pressure is critical for everything from daily household use to industrial operations that depend on uninterrupted water flow.
• Fire suppression: One of the most vital roles of a water tower is to support firefighting capabilities. Having a dependable water source with sufficient pressure ensures that fire departments can act quickly and effectively to protect lives and property in new developments.

Real-world impact: City of Crooks

A prime example of how water infrastructure can shape a community’s future is the city of Crooks, just a few miles north of Sioux Falls.

“Maguire is proud to be part of the city’s strategic investment in a new water tower that will serve as the foundation for decades of anticipated growth,” Cooper said.

As one of the fastest-growing communities in the region, Crooks recognized the need to expand its water infrastructure to support both current demand and future development. The new water tower, designed with long-term capacity and resilience in mind, will enable the city to open up areas for new housing, attract commercial ventures and enhance public safety through improved fire protection.

“The new water tower will be a draw for people,” Crooks Mayor Butch Oseby said. “It is right next to our veterans park and will help service our new 36-acre industrial park, along with our new commercial area and housing development.”

By increasing water storage and pressure systemwide, this project will provide the critical infrastructure Crooks needs to remain a desirable place to live, work and invest. It’s a forward-thinking move that reflects the city’s commitment to smart growth and economic sustainability.

“You can’t grow without water,” Oseby said. “This project is a culmination of a four- to five-year plan, but now to have that, it shows that Crooks is in business.”

A catalyst for economic vitality

By investing in water towers, communities can unlock land previously deemed unserviceable or too costly to develop. This opens the door to:

• New housing opportunities to meet growing population demands.
• Commercial expansion that brings jobs, services and tax revenue.
• Industrial growth that attracts large employers and supports long-term economic stability.

Maguire’s experience and dedication to quality ensure that every water tower built stands as a testament to progress and preparedness. From the initial planning stages to final construction, the team delivers infrastructure solutions that make development not only possible but also sustainable.

“A community can’t grow without the infrastructure needed to support it,” said Tyler Tordsen, president and CEO of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

“That means looking out for your existing community but also your future businesses and residents. For the most part, previous residents have ‘carried the water’ in paying for the infrastructure upgrades necessary to get us to today. I like to remind our communities that when they’re investing in their community infrastructure to prepare for growth, they’re investing in themselves and in that next generation of residents.”

Building tomorrow, today

The Maguire team doesn’t just build water towers — they build the future. Every project is a step toward a more vibrant, resilient community. As economic demands evolve, they remain committed to delivering infrastructure that supports smart growth and enhances quality of life.

“We love working with local communities,” Cooper said. “They are the backbone of South Dakota. Partnering with them is a great way for us to give back to the communities that are important to us while helping them store and protect quality water.” 

Let’s build together

Contact Maguire to learn how we can support your community’s next chapter of development.

“Maguire’s work is top notch,” Oseby said. “You can’t find a better company that I know of to build your water tower. They are also local, and we take pride in that. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t use Maguire.”