I first noticed this small complex of brick buildings while running errands for work. I noticed a sign that said "Old Water Works Road". I wondered if the road's namesake was still around. Sure enough it was, and the buildings appeared to be in really bad shape. I soon returned to find out what was left of the facility.
It turns out all the old pumping equipment was removed some time ago. Both of the larger buildings were just brick shells being used to store mulch and woodchips.
The facility used to be fed by its own railroad spur, which still streches from the pumping station to the main freight line nearby.
The buildings and wells all had this terra cotta cartouche of the town seal somewhere on their facades.
The old iron removal plant had the most interesting design. The inside had a pressed tin ceiling, but the interior had little resemblance to its former function.
I was disappointed that there wasn't more left behind, but it was still cool to find a small piece of history hidden off the main road. Since the buildings are so badly deteriorated I'm sure they will be demolished at some point. I just hope the building materials are salvaged, as the brick and glazed terra cotta were probably manufactured at the nearby S&F Brickyards which makes them especially significant to the town of Sayreville.
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