A thousand cubic meters of water. That’s the capacity of the Steeler Wasserturm. Standing before this majestic structure you can almost feel the weight of history.
The Steeler Wasserturm is more than just a water tower. It’s a testament to Essen’s industrial past. Built in 1898 it sits proudly on Steele’s highest point. The tower drew its water from the Steeler waterworks. This was located directly on the Ruhr River.
Imagine 19th-century Steele. Coal mining drastically lowered the groundwater level. Wells and springs were no longer reliable water sources. A private water pipe was laid in 1865. It channeled water from the Vereinigte Deimelsberger Erbstolln mine. Yet this wasn’t enough to satisfy Steele’s growing population. A new well and underground reservoir were constructed in 1869 and 1871.
By 1896 this system reached its limit. The rapidly industrializing city needed more. The Steeler Wasserturm was the solution. A new pumping station with steam-powered pumps was built. Starting May 1st 1898 the water flowed. It not only supplied Steele but also Frillendorf Schonnebeck and Stoppenberg.
The Steeler Wasserturm is a three-story round structure made of bricks. Its distinctive steel water tank is visible from afar. The tower’s base features a round arch frieze in a historicist style. The Intze-principle water tank shows signs of early technical functionalism.
In 1986 Axel Kalenborn oversaw a major restoration. The rusted interior tank and leaky roof were sandblasted. They were then sealed with epoxy resin and zinc dust primer. Three coats of topcoat were added. Outside a two-component epoxy resin primer and a three-layer acrylic resin varnish protected against corrosion. The brickwork was cleaned with high-pressure hot steam. Gaps were filled with newly fired clinker. The water tank received its current windows. The restoration created 600 square meters of usable space.
The Steeler Wasserturm has been a listed building since May 14 1987. It housed a gallery until 2006. Today a software company occupies the space. In 2008 further corrosion protection measures were implemented on the tank and steel reinforcements. This was done in consultation with the preservation authority. After derusting a two-component primer was applied. Then a top coat in the original RAL color was added.
So next time you see the Steeler Wasserturm remember its story. Remember the ingenuity and resilience of those who built it. Remember the water that once flowed within its walls. It’s a piece of Essen’s industrial history. It’s a vital part of the city’s identity. This remarkable landmark continues to serve a purpose. It stands as a symbol of the past present and future.