Water Management System of Augsburg
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How it came to be
Augsburg's water management system grew in successive phases from the 14th century to the present day. The Hochablass weir on the Lech has been part of it for more than 750 years; the present structure dates from a reconstruction in 1912. The water towers at the Red Gate, begun in 1416, are the oldest surviving waterworks buildings in central Europe and supplied drinking water for 463 years.
In 1609 the architect Elias Holl built the Stadtmetzg, the butchers' guild hall, with a branch of the Lech canal running through its basement to cool the meat and carry away waste. Three monumental fountains were set up in the streets. The Augustus Fountain by the Dutch artist Hubert Gerhard was completed in 1594, and the bronzes of the Mercury Fountain, designed by Adriaen de Vries, were cast in 1599. De Vries also made the Hercules Fountain.
From the 19th century hydroelectric power stations were added, and the Stadtbach plant has been in service since 1873. In 1879 the Hochablass waterworks brought a modern drinking water supply. On 6 July 2019 the canal network and 22 component objects were inscribed as a World Heritage site, among them 10 historic hydroelectric power stations that still produce electricity.
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