MANDAN, ND (KXNET) — It's old and at the end of its useful life. More importantly, there is the potential for significant leaks and catastrophic failure of portions of its structure. And it's a key element of Mandan's existence. The Collins Reservoir in Mandan, at Collins Avenue and Division Street. (Image: Keith Darnay) It's the Collins Reservoir and Pump Station, a two-million gallon city water storage container located at the intersection of Collins Avenue and Division Street. Looking something like a large flying saucer half hidden in the ground, the reservoir serves as a crucial storage and service facility to supply city water to Mandan as needed. Mandan has a history of using the Collins location for water storage dating back to 1911, when the Mandan Water Works was formed and two storage containers were built, capable of holding 500,000 gallons of water each. Over the next 90 years, the storage containers at Collins were upgraded, replaced, expanded, and upgraded again as Mandan grew and city water demands increased. Today, the Collins Reservoir can hold two million gallons of water — but it is beyond being expanded or upgraded for future needs. It is in danger of falling apart. The Collins Reservoir, Mandan. (Image: Keith Darnay) A "condition assessment" of the existing reservoir's concrete and reinforcement was performed in 2016. In that report, it was determined the aging reservoir walls had the potential for "significant leaks" and that the concrete dome over the reservoir was facing the potential for "catastrophic failure." Recognizing the risks, Mandan officials applied for a $5.5 million loan from North Dakota's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to finance replacing the existing reservoir with a new two-million gallon structure. The loan was approved by the state earlier this year. The state also determined the project is exempt from having to perform a full environmental impact assessment, based on various criteria involving the replacement nature of the project, the location at Collins and Division, the existing landscape and other factors. According to city documents, construction of the new reservoir would take place in 2025, with completion expected in 2026. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW