The island of Aruba used to depend on rainwater and wells for its drinking water. In 1928,
Lago Oil (Exxon) and
Shell opened refineries on the island. The population increase resulted in a water shortage which was temporarily relieved by shipments of drinking water from the United States. In 1933, a sea water
desalination plant was constructed at
Balashi. A distribution network was laid out, and it was decided to build water towers at
Oranjestad and
San Nicolaas. The lower parts were used as offices for the civil service and the water authority. The tower is tall, and contained a reservoir located above the sea water level. In the 1970s, three dry years resulted in the existing plant running close to capacity. In 1979, a larger desalination plant in Balashi was opened, and the water towers were rendered obsolete. In 1996, ownership of the water tower was transferred to the monument fund who started to restore the building. On 8 March 2013, the tower was restored, and in 2016, the industry museum opened in the building. ==Industry museum==