One of the most modern urban waterworks in Europe was built between 1866 and 1871. The creation of these waterworks which sourced water from the area around the confluence of the rivers Odra and Olawa was intended to supply about 200,000 residents. In 1882 clean water tanks were built next to the water tower and by 1890 the city’s water supply network was 200km long (supplying, among others, around 2000 hydrants). By the end of the 20th century the length of water mains in Wroclaw reached 1658km.

The dominant feature of the complex on Na Grobla Street is the monumental water tower. The only building of its kind stands at this site (square shaped as normally they are round) with sides measuring 32m by 32m. Tanks mounted at a height of 43m could hold 4150m³ of water. Located on several floors the machinery is supported by Corinthian columns and the winding metal staircase is also a very ornate feature.

Linked with the waterworks is the Swiatniki pumping station. The complex consists of dozens of filtration tanks, hundreds of deep wells, the pumping station and all the associated equipment. This complex was built between 1901 and 1905 but since 1966 has been removed from service.

Na Grobli Waterworks – Wroclaw (woj. Dolnoslaskie

www.mpwik.wroclaw.pl

http://www.nadbor.pwr.wroc.pl/

museum/wroclaw/grobla/grobla.htm