Picture this. You stand before the Wasserwerk am Hochablass a majestic building steeped in history. This isn’t just any structure. This is Augsburg’s first waterworks a testament to ingenuity and a crucial step toward modern sanitation.
Built between 1878 and 1879 it revolutionized Augsburg’s water supply. Before its arrival most households relied on public wells. Water quality was poor. Cholera epidemics were frequent. The Wasserwerk am Hochablass changed all that. It harnessed the power of the Lech River using Henschel-Jonval turbines. These turbines powered three double-piston pumps. A marvel of engineering these pumps delivered clean groundwater from the city forest to every household. Even upper floors were now supplied something unprecedented for the time.
The system was innovative. Three pressure wind boilers provided a constant water pressure. Imagine these 10-meter-high tanks replacing traditional water towers. The Maschinenfabrik Augsburg a predecessor of today’s MAN supplied the impressive machinery. Three pump systems each with two double-acting horizontal plunger pumps. The system’s smooth operation amazed Europe.
But the Wasserwerk am Hochablass faced challenges. A devastating flood in 1910 destroyed the Hochablass weir. The turbines failed. The steam engine a backup system proved its worth. It kept the city supplied with water for months until the weir was rebuilt. The experience prompted upgrades. Henschel-Jonval turbines were replaced with more efficient Francis-shaft turbines. A generator was added in 1911.
The Wasserwerk am Hochablass continued to evolve. In 1942 electric centrifugal pumps were installed. They worked alongside the existing piston pumps. Later as the city grew new waterworks were built lessening the burden on the Hochablass facility. Finally in 1973 the original turbines and piston pumps were retired. The waterworks became a hydroelectric power plant.
Today the Wasserwerk am Hochablass stands as a museum and a tribute to Augsburg’s pioneering spirit. One pump with its emergency diesel motor and the “Königswelle” is still in operation. It shows how the system once functioned. The former boiler house features a photo exhibit. A Francis-shaft turbine resides on the grounds a tangible piece of Augsburg’s technological past. This remarkable building the Wasserwerk am Hochablass a testament to innovative engineering stands as a symbol of Augsburg’s enduring quest for progress and clean water.