WATER SUPPLY MUSEUM

The complex of the old Central Pumping Unit of the ex Thessaloniki Water Supply Co. (actually E.Y.A.Th. S.A.) was build at the end of the 19 th century (1890-94) at a distance of about 1500 meters from the western walls of the historical center of Thessaloniki . The administration and exploitation of the water supply had been entrusted to the “ Compagnie Ottomane des Eaux de Salonique ” that was established by Belgian financiers in 1988 having its headquarters in Constantinople ( Istanbul ), and the project was constructed by Belgian technicians.

The establishment of a new, modern water distribution network constituted one of the most important infra-structures realized in Thessaloniki at the end of the 19 th century (along with the railways, the town gas, the tramway, and the supply of electric power). The construction of the Central Pumping Unit belongs to the 1 st phase works that included the water intake points from artesian wells in the Sindos plain, close to today's Kalokhori settlement, and also the pumping and convey installations, and the distribution network. The water reached the Central Pumping Unit with natural flow, and from there, using large pumps, it was initially forwarded to three large water tanks (Vlatades, Kassandrou, Evangelistrias). In 1924 the Kallithea water tank was added to the first three.

The Central Pumping Unit complex included three buildings. The Central Machine Room (Building A), the Boiler Unit (Building B) and in continuation to the Boiler Unit the roofed coal storehouse (Building C). The Manager's residence (Building D), at the eastern end of the complex, completed the build group. Similar pumping-stations installations, using similar technology, were being built this same period, in many European cities.

The buildings of the old Central Pumping Unit were planned and built at the period when the metallic structure was at its peak all over Europe . Today, we can consider them as being the older model pre-fabrications in Thessaloniki .

Initially, the Pumping Unit worked with two steam-driven pumps until 1929. Very soon, the increased water consumption led to the reinforcement of the pumping power of the Pumping Unit with the addition of Korting diesel engines in 1914 and 1924, while the installation in 1929 of a large M.A.N. diesel engine connected simultaneously to two pumps, signified the end of steam-engines. After the 2 nd world-war, we have at the pumping station only electrically driven pumps. For the power supply three generators, one of American make (Buckeye-Westinghouse) and two British (Mirrlees-Brush) that were ceded and installed within the frame of the Reconstruction Assistance to Greece . This new equipment, kept to this date, ensured up to the 60's the operation of five pump-complexes, which in continuation, were provided with power by the Public Power Enterprise and worked uninterruptedly till 1979.

THE BIRTH OF THE WATER SUPPLY MUSEUM

The Central Pumping Station was operating for its initial use till 1978. In 1984, the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Water Supply Co. decided to convert it into a Museum. In 1987, after a proposal of the 4 th Modern Monuments Authority and the Ministry of Culture, the Central Pumping Station is qualified as a preservable monument.

The work of “Restoration of the Central Pumping Station and its conversion into a Water Supply Museum” was included in 1995 in the Regional Operational Plan of Central Macedonia, of the II Community Cohesion Program, and the Program of “Thessaloniki, European Cultural Capital 97” under responsibility of the Ministry of Culture and was executed by the 4 th Modern Monuments Authority. The restoration of the three historic buildings with their mechanic equipment was completed in 2000 and the surrounding area of a total 3.000 sq. meters surface was shaped. The creation of a Museum – living cultural area, combining the Pumping Station as a restored technical monument along with its historic mechanical equipment, in operation and a Documentation, Research and Exhibition Center of such an important infra-structure work, as ith city's water supply was set as the general target of this change of use of the preservable monument. It also aims at informing and sensitizing the public and mainly the students, on subjects concerning the protection of water as a natural good. All this planning endorses the central idea of the Water Supply Museum , under the title : “We care for the water and its history”.

THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE MUSEUM

Since 2001, the Water Supply Museum operated under the authority of E.Y.A.Th. S.A. Visits of all levels of school pupils and students are organized to the restored buildings of the Museum. It offers possibilities for the realization of educational programs on the subject of water and water supply. Projections of videos on the water supply of Thessaloniki take place in an especially configurated area.

The Museum surfaces opened to visitors are :

Α . THE central Building of the Pumping Unit, as the main Showroom, with the pumping groups and the generators in operation.

Β . The multiple uses hall (old boiler-room), that includes the impressively restored area of the old steam boilers.

C. The Management Building, which includes a library specialized on water and hydraulic works and a unique maps and water supply works drawing of the 19 th and 20 th century archive.

Δ . The Water Park where are exhibited historic pumping units and water ducts.

The Water Supply Museum is opened for visitors on working days from 10:00 -14:00 hours.

The address of the Water Supply Museum is :

49, 26 Οκτωβρίου St. , 54627 THESSALONIKI , next to FIX factory.

Linked with urban bus lines 31, 40 FIX stop, or Sfayia, in front of the Museum.

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