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Water Tower San Nicolas

Coordinates: 12°26′09″N 69°54′33″W / 12.43592°N 69.90911°W / 12.43592; -69.90911
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Water Tower San Nicolas
Watertoren San Nicolas
Water Tower at night
Map
General information
Architectural styleArt Deco
Town or citySan Nicolaas
CountryAruba
Coordinates12°26′09″N 69°54′33″W / 12.43592°N 69.90911°W / 12.43592; -69.90911
Current tenantsIndustry Museum
InauguratedAugust 1939
Height40 metres (130 ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Pieter van Stuivenberg [nl]

Water Tower San Nicolas (Dutch: Watertoren San Nicolas) is a water tower and museum in San Nicolaas, Aruba. It was built in 1939 to relieve the water shortage in Aruba. In 1979, the tower became obsolete and in 1996, it was transferred to the monument fund, and restored. In 2016, the industry museum opened in the tower.

History

The island of Aruba used to depend on rainwater and wells for its drinking water. In 1928, Lago Oil (Exxon) and Shell opened refineries on the island. The population increase resulted in a water shortage which was temporarily relieved by shipments of drinking water from the United States.[1] In 1933, a sea water desalination plant was constructed at Balashi.[2] A distribution network was laid out, and it was decided to built water towers at Oranjestad and San Nicolaas.[1]

In August 1939, the water tower was officially opened by governor Gielliam Wouters.[3] The tower was designed by Pieter van Stuivenberg [nl] and is in Art Deco style.[3][4] The lower parts were used as offices for the civil service and the water authority.[3] The tower is 40 metres (130 ft) tall, and contained a 400 square metres (4,300 sq ft) reservoir located 25 metres (82 ft) above the sea water level.[5][1] In the 1970s, three dry years resulted in the existing plant running close to capacity. In 1979, a larger desalination plant in Balashi was opened, and the water towers were rendered obsolete.[1]

In 1996, ownership of the water tower was transferred to the monument fund who started to restore the building.[5] On 8 March 2013, the tower was restored, and in 2016, the industry museum opened in the building.[2]

Industry museum

The industry museum provides an overview of the industrial activities on Aruba. It has displays of the gold, aloe, phosphate (guano) and oil industries which were present on the island.[6] The public utility companies of Aruba have permanent exhibitions of their activities.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Aruba and water". Amigoe (in Dutch). 29 January 1979. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Water Tower San Nicolas 1939". Monumenten Fonds Aruba. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Nieuwe watertoren op Aruba". Amigoe di Curacao (in Dutch). 19 August 1939. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  4. ^ "A Cultural And Colorful Tour Of Aruba's Artistic Capital – San Nicolas". Aruba.com. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Watertoren San Nicolas" (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Het Industriemuseum". Aruba.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 February 2022.
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