“What’s inside?” Many a walker has likely pondered that question. There it stands somewhat lonely atop the Westerberg. Right next to the Botanical Garden sits Osnabrück’s first water reservoir from 1891. This is the Hochbehälter Westerberg.
Back then, the Hochbehälter Westerberg was a real milestone in water supply. It worked with Osnabrück’s first waterworks in Schinkel. For over 100 years, it supplied the city with drinking water. But in 2007, the Hochbehälter Westerberg was taken off the grid.
Today, we simply turn on the tap for clean water. It was very different in the 19th century. Water came from village wells or private wells. This water was not very clean.
Susanne Krohn knows the history. She is a Freiraumplanerin at Stadtwerke. She studied the history of the water reservoir on the Westerberg. The people of Osnabrück dumped their wastewater into the Hase. This included sewage. Due to the high water table, the contaminated river water quickly entered drinking water wells. Several epidemics broke out. There was even a cholera epidemic in 1859.
City leaders finally realized: Clean water was needed. Industrialization made things worse. Osnabrück grew. So did water pollution. The city commissioned architect Ernst August Salbach. He was to plan and build Osnabrück’s first water supply system.
In 1891, the time had come. The waterworks in Schinkel went online. So did the Hochbehälter Westerberg. From then on, 1,800 Osnabrück households had fresh tap water. It was a real milestone.
Water reservoirs play an important role in the water cycle. They temporarily store drinking water. Water is treated in waterworks. Then it is pumped into the Hochbehälter Westerberg. From here, it reaches Osnabrück households. At night, when less water is needed, they are refilled. Water reservoirs act as buffers for fluctuating delivery quantities.
The Hochbehälter Westerberg provided faithful service for over 100 years. Over time, more reservoirs were built in Osnabrück. They ensured the city had an optimal water supply. In the 1970s, the Westerberg reservoir got a sister. Today, Osnabrück has three large water reservoirs. They are located on the Piesberg, Schölerberg, and Schinkelberg.
In 2007, Osnabrück’s oldest water storage era ended. During inspections, germs were repeatedly found in the water. Renovation measures could not contain them. The same thing happened with its sister storage. Both reservoirs were shut down.
Today, both buildings blend seamlessly into the natural scenery. Covered in moss, shrubs, and small trees, little reminds us of the old days. The city officially lists the old reservoir as a building worthy of preservation. Currently, there are considerations for alternative uses for the vacant building.
Osnabrück’s Hochbehälter Westerberg: once a vital source, now a silent monument.