Kajlinger Mihály Plaque

Did Kajlinger Mihály ever imagine his work would be remembered like this? Here at the Kajlinger Mihály Plaque, we celebrate the man who quenched Budapest’s thirst. This plaque, a testament to his ingenuity, commemorates his contributions to the city’s waterworks. Kajlinger Mihály, born in Pest in 1860, became instrumental in shaping Budapest’s water infrastructure. He earned his mechanical engineering degree in 1883 from the Royal Joseph University. He joined the city’s public works department, initially focusing on the sewage system. He designed the central pumping station. His talent quickly propelled him to become a water consultant and eventually, in 1896, the director of Budapest Waterworks. Kajlinger Mihály continued the work of his predecessor, János Wein, further developing the city’s water network. The Káposztásmegyer waterworks, a marvel of its time, became a symbol of his vision. He also introduced vertical wells to access groundwater, a system still used today. During the devastating cholera outbreak of 1893, providing safe water became paramount. Kajlinger Mihály designed four temporary water extraction sites. These sites, located at Markó Street, both sides of the Margaret Bridge, and Káposztásmegyer, served the city until the permanent waterworks were completed. He also developed the Buda hills’ base basin and pressure booster pumps. To promote water conservation, he implemented water meters. Building on his predecessor’s ideas, he established Budapest’s water supply from the Szentendre Island aquifer. His expertise extended beyond Budapest, advising on waterworks projects in cities like Timișoara, Miskolc, Rijeka, Szombathely, and Szeged. Kajlinger Mihály’s legacy lives on, not just in this plaque, but in the very water flowing through Budapest.