Al-Kharj Water Tower

Al-Kharj Water Tower is a tall water tower in the city of Al-Kharj, the seat of the governorate that lies south-east of Riyadh. The tower stands in a prominent position and can be seen from a considerable distance because the surrounding land is flat.

The tower was built during the period of urban expansion that Saudi cities underwent in the later decades of the twentieth century. In those years large concrete water towers were erected in several cities, combining the functions of storing water and regulating pressure in the network with a striking architectural form. The Al-Kharj tower consists of a high concrete shaft topped by a wider section containing the tank.

The tower is surrounded by lawns and gardens used by residents in the evenings and at weekends, and it is illuminated at night. Al-Kharj lies in one of the most important agricultural areas of central Saudi Arabia. The water tower therefore carries particular meaning in a city whose history and economy are tied to water, and it is the city's most prominent modern landmark.