Archaeological monitoring and recording was carried out by Colchester Archaeological Trust in advance of the restoration of the water tower, extensions and change of use to offices (CBC planning application 161252). The trenches measured 0.4-0.9m wide by c.0.3m to 1.78m deep. The area bounded by the trenching was reduced by approximately 0.3m. Excavations occurred through five layers. Modern levelling and topsoil (L1, c.0.22-0.3m thick) sealed a demolition layer (L2, c.0.7-0.8m thick). Beneath this lay buried topsoil (L4, c.0.5-0.52m thick), and subsoil (L5, c.0.24-0.4m thick). Below L5 was a layer of naturally-deposited sands and gravels (L6). Possible Roman linear feature F100 was uncovered. It was aligned E to W but its dimensions could not determined as it was too deep to be excavated. Roman finds (including a two-handled late 3rd or 4th century pedestal cup or cantharus) recovered from the surface of the feature indicate that it might be of Roman date. The feature was not observed in the trenching further to the E or W and was presumably truncated by later activity in the area. A Roman urned cremation F101, of mid 2nd to 4th century date containing the remains of a young adult, was discovered after part of the trench had collapsed so only the disturbed remains could be recorded. In addition, the partial foundations of a former gas hut (F102) and coal yard (F8) were identified - late 19th-century building remains associated with the Colchester Garrison.<1> The monitoring followed a trial-trenched evaluation in March 2017 (ECC3958).<2>