Imagine needing clean water. The Wasserwerk Soden 1913 stands as a testament to Frankfurt’s commitment to providing it.
This old freestanding gable wall is all that remains. It bears the inscription: “1913 Wasserwerk Soden”. Let’s step back in time. We will explore the story of Frankfurt’s water supply.
Frankfurt’s need for clean water grew quickly. The city turned to groundwater, river water from the Rhine, and the Main. This water couldn’t flow directly to your tap. It had to be purified.
The water undergoes a meticulous treatment process. This process filters out bacteria, viruses, and pollutants. Flocculation, sedimentation, and disinfection are vital steps. Chlorine or chlorine dioxide ensure high quality.
The Frankfurt Municipal Utilities maintains an extensive network. It spans 2,082 kilometers. This provides water to over 2.4 million residents daily. This water reaches homes, offices, and public buildings. Maintaining water quality during transport is crucial.
The city replaced sections of the Hattersheim waterworks pipeline in 2008. This ensures high water quality in the future.
Frankfurt’s tap water quality is regularly checked. Authorities measure pH value, hardness, and heavy metal content. They also check for microbial contamination. They compare these measurements with legal requirements.
House installations pose a significant risk. Landlords are responsible for these. Before 1986, about 10% of Frankfurt residents used lead pipes. These posed a health risk.
In 1997, the city launched the “Frankfurt Lead Project”. This replaced house installations. By 2010, all lead pipes were replaced. This eliminated the risk.
You can improve your tap water quality at home. Let the water run briefly. This removes water that may have stood in the pipes. Use faucet filters or a filtration system. Clean your faucets regularly.
The Wasserwerk Soden 1913 reminds us of the city’s water infrastructure. Frankfurt’s tap water meets strict legal standards.
The Hinkelstein waterworks played a role. It began operations in 1894. It sits in a remote forest. Groundwater is processed into drinking water there.
The Frankfurt City Forest is an important water reservoir. The Oberforsthaus waterworks began using the groundwater in 1885. Other waterworks followed. Goldstein in 1888, and Hinkelstein in 1894. Schwanheim was built in 1955.
Today, Goldstein, Hinkelstein, and Schwanheim waterworks are still operating. They have been modernized. They supply about 15 percent of Frankfurt’s drinking water. Hessenwasser GmbH & Co. KG has operated these facilities since 2001.
Under the dome of the Hinkelstein waterworks, it goes down about 15 meters. An underground tunnel leads to the well gallery. It passes under the railway tracks.
In 1894, 210 wells drew groundwater. By 1924, 74 new wells replaced the old ones. In 1964, these facilities were modernized. Today, ten deep wells extract groundwater from 66-143 meters deep.
The name Hinkelstein comes from a large menhir. It once stood at the end of the Hinkelsteinschneise. It was a relic from past cultures. It was broken up and used for boundary markers.
The Wasserwerk Soden 1913 and the Hinkelstein waterworks are silent witnesses. They tell a story about Frankfurt’s dedication to providing clean drinking water.