pomphuis

Pomphuis is a Dutch term for a pumping house, a building that houses pumping equipment used to move water for drainage, flood protection and municipal water supply in polder landscapes and along urban watercourses. Its primary function is to remove excess surface and groundwater from low-lying areas by pumping it to higher channels, rivers or reservoirs, thereby keeping land dry and maintaining controlled water levels.

Historically, pomphuizen emerged during the mechanization of the Dutch water system in the 19th century and were associated with the national and local water boards. Early installations used steam engines; later generations adopted diesel and electric pumps, often powered by local electricity grids or on-site generators. The structures vary in size but are typically compact brick or masonry buildings that house the pump equipment, a pump room, and sometimes an engine or boiler room. They are commonly located near dikes, canals, or polder boundaries, sometimes integrated into the landscape or built as standalone cottages.

In modern practice, pomphuizen are part of a broader network of pumping stations controlled by supervisory systems (SCADA), enabling automated operation, monitoring of water levels, and remote shut-off. Many historic pomphuizen remain in use as functional facilities or have been preserved as part of cultural heritage; others have been repurposed or adapted for contemporary uses.

See also: pumping station, water board, polder.