Stouwwerk

Stouwwerk is a historic water supply installation located in the city of Rüdesheim am Rhein in the state of Hesse, Germany. The term comes from the German words “Streu” meaning “wind” or “carbonization” and “Werk” meaning “plant” or “facility”, and the structure was originally built to deliver pressurized water to the surrounding area.

The original Stouwwerk was constructed in 1884 as part of a public works initiative to improve municipal water hygiene. It replaced an older, gravity-fed system damaged by the River Rhine floods of the late 19th century. The construction project employed a cast‑iron pressure tank and a series of wooden pipes that were considered cutting‑edge at the time.

Architecturally the Stouwwerk is notable for its utilitarian design combined with decorative embossed panels that depict local folklore. The tank was built to withstand water pressures up to 12 bars, and its interior was lined with a thin layer of lead to prevent corrosion. The tower was topped with a bell that, according to reports, was used to signal water outages to residents.

In the 20th century, the Stouwwerk was upgraded with a diesel pump and later an electric motor, extending its operational life into the modern era. In 1982 it was listed as a heritage monument, and today it is preserved as a functioning museum exhibit. The facility remains an example of early municipal engineering and is occasionally used for educational demonstrations on water supply systems.