Why is this fountain called Aqui-Brunnen? Let’s dive into the story of this unique water source.
The Aqui-Brunnen has a fascinating history. It is linked to the former Hürlimann brewery. In 1976, a deep drilling uncovered extraordinarily rich mineral water. The brewery used this water for beer production. It also sold it as Aqui mineral water until 1999.
The name “Aqui” has an interesting backstory. Beat Schlatter invented the name. He received three gold coins for his creativity. The logo of the mineral water featured a fossilized snail.
Before the brewery’s sale, locals could freely access the mineral water. They could get it from the original Aqui-Brunnen. It was located at Brandschenkestrasse near the brewery. People knew it as “Stilles Wasser” or still water.
After the brewery was sold, the original Aqui-Brunnen was shut down. But the story doesn’t end there. On May 6, 2004, a new Aqui-Brunnen was unveiled. It became the heart of the new City-Süd district. This district emerged on the old brewery grounds.
Christoph Haerle, a sculptor and architect, designed the new fountain. The Aquibrunnen was redesigned with a water point. It allowed free access to the mineral water.
The wall of the Aquibrunnen consists of blue-tinted concrete. It has been sealed with a colorless sealant. Four openings serve as “filling stations”. They are lined with stainless steel.
The water bar is a red-colored concrete element. It has a polished surface. It stands vertically to the tank wall. Three parallel stainless steel tubes run lengthwise. Welded pipe sections of varying diameters sit on these tubes. The pipe section ends are flush with the water bar’s surface. Water flows out and wets the bar.
However, the Aqui-Brunnen faced challenges. It was temporarily closed in 2011 and 2015. This was due to elevated bacteria levels. In 2019, it was permanently shut down. The water exceeded new regulations for sodium and fluoride.
Interestingly, the original Aqui-Brunnen was moved. Without a water connection, it now sits on a traffic circle in Adliswil. Helen Denzler designed the original fountain.
The Aqui-Brunnen tells a tale of transformation. It started as a source of mineral water. It evolved into a public art piece. It now reflects Zurich’s industrial and urban development. The Aqui-Brunnen remains a symbol of Zurich’s past.