19th century
Slow filters and treatment of...
In the 19th century water supply in Wrocław had been taking water from Odra and had to...
1890-1892 First reservoir...
There were four slow filters operating in the waterworks facility “Na Grobli”, but in...
1920s - moving away from...
At the beginning of the 20th century, Wrocław's waterworks stopped taking river water. It...
1905 - Water tower and main...
After removing thousands of tons of sand and gravel, in 1905 the former filter became a...
1919 - Emergency pumping...
Modern, electric rotodynamic water pumps have been installed in the emergency pumping...
The clean water reservoir and...
The clean water reservoir operated continuously until 1945. During fights for Wrocław its...
1997 - Central European flood...
On 12 July 1997, the water works facility "Na Grobli" was unexpectedly hit by a flood...
2002-2015 - Modernisation of...
In 2002, a comprehensive modernization of the facility "Na Grobli" began. The well-worn...
Slow filters and treatment of water taken from the river
In the 19th century water supply in Wrocław had been taking water from Odra and had to be treated before it could be fed into the city’s network. This was done using slow filters, i.e. pools filled with sand and gravel. The river water poured into them was purified, seeping slowly through the gravel bed.
In the picture
Water supply complex seen from the perspective of the current footbridge on ul. Szybka over Oława (first decade of the 20th century)
1890-1892 First reservoir closed1890-1892 First reservoir closed
There were four slow filters operating in the waterworks facility “Na Grobli”, but in 1890-1892 another one was built. Filter No. V - as opposed to previously built open pools (not covered with a roof) - was designed as a closed reservoir. A reservoir of 4600 m2 was hidden under the earth embankment. However, relatively quickly its original function became obsolete.
In the picture
Sand deposit replacement in an open slow filter (1920s)
1920s - moving away from river water to groundwater1920s - moving away from river water to groundwater
At the beginning of the 20th century, Wrocław's waterworks stopped taking river water. It was replaced with groundwater. Filter No. V became unnecessary. It turned out that although the groundwater is clean and free of bacteria, it contains too much iron and is not suitable for direct consumption. The old facility "Na Grobli" had to be adapted to process this raw water into drinking water, and a separate reservoir was needed for its storage. The decision was made to use for this purpose the not used slow filter No. V.
In the picture
Fragment of the western elevation of the slow filter No. V (1920s)
1905 - Water tower and main drinking water reservoir instead of the former river water filter1905 - Water tower and main drinking water reservoir instead of the former river water filter
After removing thousands of tons of sand and gravel, in 1905 the former filter became a huge reservoir with the capacity of 12 million litres of drinking water. Now it was the main water reservoir for the city - "reservoir no. 1". Water was first sent to the water tower. It was pressed by a large steam generator. However, in 1919, it underwent a breakdown, which stopped the water supply. This had to be quickly remedied, so in just five months the building of the emergency pumping station stood by the clean water reservoir.
In the picture
The inside of the clean water reservoir (years 1920-1930)
1919 - Emergency pumping station1919 - Emergency pumping station
Modern, electric rotodynamic water pumps have been installed in the emergency pumping station building. They sent water directly to the tank in the tower. The modest building did not match the magnificent architecture of the reservoir and was soon rebuilt for purely aesthetic reasons. In 1924, a new building was erected in its place, maintained in the style of modernism fashionable at the time. In the 1930s the appearance of the front elevation was further improved.
In the picture
6 Emergency pumping station for clean water in the 1920s (today's Cafe Arkadia)
The clean water reservoir and World War IIThe clean water reservoir and World War II
The clean water reservoir operated continuously until 1945. During fights for Wrocław its ceiling was perforated by Russian bombs and bullets. Shortly after the end of the war, the necessary repairs were made and the reservoir collected water for the city again. It was operated for over 50 years, without any repairs or cleaning. This was caused by a permanent shortage of drinking water in Wrocław, which made it impossible to even temporarily shut down the reservoir.
In the picture
Clean water reservoir - a fragment of the eastern elevation (1930s)
1997 - Central European flood hits the main drinking water reservoir1997 - Central European flood hits the main drinking water reservoir
On 12 July 1997, the water works facility "Na Grobli" was unexpectedly hit by a flood wave. Buildings and equipment were flooded at a rapid pace. Reservoir No. 1 was under water. The flood of 1997 was the biggest disaster in the post-war history of Wrocław. Drinking water production stopped. In order for it to flow to the taps again, the tank had to be cleaned.
In the picture
8 The effects of the so-called Central European flood (1997)
2002-2015 - Modernisation of the water works facility "Na Grobli" and creation of Hydropolis2002-2015 - Modernisation of the water works facility "Na Grobli" and creation of Hydropolis
In 2002, a comprehensive modernization of the facility "Na Grobli" began. The well-worn reservoir no. 1 was entered in the register of monuments. Two years later, it underwent a modest renovation, but it was already known that it would soon have to be decommissioned. It served its purpose until the end of 2011. It was then that the decision was made to build Hydropolis in its place. Works on adapting the facility to the new function took 4 years. Hydropolis was opened in December 2015.
In the picture
9 Hydropolis copper facade shortly before opening (October 2015)