Water Tower San Nicolas
{{Infobox building
| name = Water Tower San Nicolas
| native_name = Watertoren San Nicolas
| image = File:Water Toren, San Nicolaas, ARUBA.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Water Tower at night
| architectural_style = Art Deco
| cost =
| address =
| location_town = San Nicolaas
| location_country = Aruba
| client =
| owner =
| current_tenants = Industry Museum
| coordinates = {{coord|12.43592|-69.90911|display=title, inline}}
| start_date =
| inauguration_date = August 1939
| height = {{convert|40|m}}
| diameter =
| floor_area =
| architect = {{ill|Pieter van Stuivenberg (architect)|nl|Pieter van Stuivenberg|lt=Pieter van Stuivenberg}}
}}
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=watertoren+nicolas&coll=ddd&page=3&identifier=ddd:010639565:mpeg21:a0091&resultsidentifier=ddd:010639565:mpeg21:a0091&rowid=6 |title=Aruba and water |website=Amigoe |date=29 January 1979 |language=nl |access-date=19 February 2022}} In 1933, a sea water desalination plant was constructed at Balashi.{{cite web|url=https://www.monumentenfondsaruba.com/project/watertower-san-nicolas/ |title=Water Tower San Nicolas 1939|website=Monumenten Fonds Aruba |access-date=19 February 2022 }} A distribution network was laid out, and it was decided to build water towers at Oranjestad and San Nicolaas.
In August 1939, the water tower was officially opened by governor Gielliam Wouters. The tower was designed by {{ill|Pieter van Stuivenberg (architect)|nl|Pieter van Stuivenberg|lt=Pieter van Stuivenberg}} and is in Art Deco style.{{cite web|url=https://www.aruba.com/us/news/a-cultural-and-colorful-tour-of-arubas-artistic-capital--san-nicolas |title=A Cultural And Colorful Tour Of Aruba’s Artistic Capital – San Nicolas |website=Aruba.com|access-date=19 February 2022}} The lower parts were used as offices for the civil service and the water authority.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010281815:mpeg21:a0027 |title=Nieuwe watertoren op Aruba |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=19 August 1939 |language=nl |access-date=19 February 2022}} The tower is {{convert|40|m}} tall, and contained a {{convert|400|m2}} reservoir located {{convert|25|m}} above the sea water level.{{cite web|url=https://www.beautiful-aruba.nl/bezienswaardigheden/watertoren-san-nicolas.php |title=Watertoren San Nicolas |access-date=19 February 2022 |language=nl}} 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.
In 1996, ownership of the water tower was transferred to the monument fund who started to restore the building. On 8 March 2013, the tower was restored, and in 2016, the industry museum opened in the building.
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.aruba.com/nl/ontdek/het-industriemuseum |title=Het Industriemuseum |website=Aruba.com |language=nl |access-date=19 February 2022}} The public utility companies of Aruba have permanent exhibitions of their activities.
References
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{{Commons category|position=left}}
{{Buildings in Aruba}}
Category:Buildings and structures in San Nicolaas
Category:Water towers in Aruba