WasserForum

About the museum

The WasserForum is located in the former pumping station of the Stadtwasserkunst (city waterworks) in Hamburg-Rothenburgsort. According to its operators, it is part of the first central water supply on the European continent. It stands on the grounds of HAMBURG WASSER, so access runs through the security post at the barrier.

Across three floors, the exhibition tells how Hamburg gets its water and how wastewater flows away again. The first part covers medieval field wells and water carriers, the Great Fire of 1842, the cholera epidemic of 1892, the emergency water supply during World War II and the storm surge of 1962. On the second floor, the focus is on groundwater, the Hamburg soil profile and treatment into drinking water; on the third floor, the path of wastewater from the household to the treatment plant.

The house is run by the Stiftung Wasserkunst Elbinsel Kaltehofe, which has existed since December 1, 2011, as a legally recognized civil-law foundation. Its founders are the Hamburger Wasserwerke and the Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg. The foundation also operates the industrial monument Wasserkunst Elbinsel Kaltehofe.

Highlights

• Exhibition across three floors on drinking water and wastewater
• Original exhibits such as a historical wooden pipe
• Hands-on stations and a water bar serving Hamburg tap water
• Five toilet bowls show what does not belong in the toilet
• In the former pumping station of the Stadtwasserkunst

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Hamburger Wasserversorgung – From field wells and water carriers through the fire and cholera to the emergency water supply in World War II, with models and an original wooden pipe.
• Trinkwasser aus Grundwasser – On the second floor, components from wells and the waterworks, drill bits and replicas show how groundwater becomes drinking water.
• Der Weg des Abwassers – On the third floor, the exhibition follows wastewater from the household to the treatment plant, with sewer exhibits, a replica of an aeration tank and curious finds.

Operated by

Stiftung Wasserkunst Elbinsel Kaltehofe

Admission & discounts

Prices apply per group (up to 20 participants), not per person.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The WasserForum is not barrier-free. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Tours are recommended from 5th grade on; for elementary schools, please consult first. There are hands-on stations in the exhibition; HAMBURG WASSER also offers an education program for kindergarten and elementary school children.

Getting there & parking

Reachable from the A1, A24 and A25. The WasserForum is on the grounds of HAMBURG WASSER; access through the security post. Rothenburgsort S-Bahn station is about 400 meters away.

Amenities & dining

Hamburg tap water can be sampled at the water bar.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit