Seewasserwerk Hasenberg

“Clean water, a simple pleasure, isn’t it?” I ask, gesturing towards the Seewasserwerk Hasenberg. “Imagine Stuttgart in the 1870s, a growing city. Clean water was a luxury, not a given. That’s where the Seewasserwerk Hasenberg comes into play.” The Seewasserwerk Hasenberg is a historical landmark in Stuttgart, nestled between Hasenbergsteige and Rebenreute streets. Built in 1874, this waterworks was the brainchild of the royal building authority. It was designed by building director Karl Ehmann, initially for a well community. By 1879, it transitioned into the ownership of the city of Stuttgart. Interestingly, the construction costs significantly overran the initial budget. This was due to unexpectedly high land prices, iron prices, and labor wages. The original budget, approved on March 2, 1872, was a mere 70,210 florins. Today, the Seewasserwerk Hasenberg remains largely in its original condition. It comprises a caretaker’s house, a measuring station, a filter basin, and a pumping station. Water from the park lakes was treated here in filtration basins. Initially, it supplied households with non-potable water for cooking. By the 1920s, the Seewasserwerk Hasenberg began treating drinking water as well. This continued until 1933, when the Gallenklinge waterworks took over that role. The Seewasserwerk Hasenberg also ensured sufficient capacity for firefighting. Today, the Seewasserwerk Hasenberg serves as a reservoir, providing water to Stuttgart’s city center and the western district. It stands as a testament to the city’s foresight in ensuring a clean water supply for its citizens.