By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported
The national historic site “Former Tainan Waterway” is one of Taiwan’s rare cultural assets that combines natural ecology and history. The entire area includes the “Water Source Area” and the “Purified Water Reservoir Area.” In addition to the already restored and open Purified Water Reservoir Area, the Water Source Area is also integrated with the nearby Mountain Nursery to be planned into the “Mountain Garden Waterway Museum,” which is expected to be completed by the end of the year and open for trial operation.
The national historic site “Former Tainan Waterway” is one of Taiwan’s rare cultural assets that combines natural ecology and history. The entire area includes the “Water Source Area” and the “Purified Water Reservoir Area.” In addition to the already restored and open Purified Water Reservoir Area, the Water Source Area is also integrated with the nearby Mountain Nursery to be planned into the “Mountain Garden Waterway Museum,” which is expected to be completed by the end of the year and open for trial operation.
Stunning artisanship delivers the Pump Room. (Photo/Tainan City Government)
The Tainan Waterway Purified Water Reservoir Area boasts a rich ecological environment, covering a total area of 56 hectares, and is also an excellent habitat for flora, fauna, and insects. Among them, the endemic Taiwanese species, the leaf-nosed bat, had already made its home here before the restoration of the purified water reservoir rooms.
After climbing nearly 200 steps, you will see the purified water reservoir building with an appearance resembling a European castle. (Image provided/Rhoda)
The Former Tainan Waterway was constructed in 1912. In the early days, Taiwan suffered from a lack of clean drinking water and drainage facilities, leading to rampant infectious diseases. During the Japanese colonial period, W. K. Burton, the sanitation advisor and engineer of the Governor-General of Taiwan, along with his student and assistant Hamano Yashiro, conducted surveys on the water sources and water quality in the Tainan area. Based on their field investigations, they proposed the construction of a waterway using rapid sand filtration methods and began the construction.
In 2014, Taiwan Water Corporation donated the Tainan Waterway buildings and related equipment to Tainan City Government.
In 2014, Taiwan Water Corporation donated the Tainan Waterway buildings and related equipment to Tainan City Government.
Fourteen rapid filter cylinders inside the filter room. (Photo/Tainan City Government)
The so-called waterway refers to the municipal water supply system. There are five facilities in total, including the water intake facility, sedimentation basin, filter chamber, delivery pump room, and purified water reservoir. The historical value of the listed heritage sites includes the architectural structures at each location, such as Western-style reinforced concrete buildings, red-brick structures, and stone-built bungalows.
Individual metal ventilation pipes. (Image provided/Rhoda)
There are also well-preserved sets of machinery, including 14 British rapid filter cylinders and components, overhead traveling cranes, vertical shaft electric motor units, etc. These machines are rare antiques in Taiwan’s water supply industry production equipment.
The “Former Tainan Waterway” Water Source Area. (Photo/Tainan City Government)
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