National historical landmark～
Tainan Shuidao (Tainan waterworks) (includes Shanshang Water Purification Facility)
1. Origins: Shuidao Sheshi (waterworks) was part of the health and hygiene infrastructure constructed in Taiwan during the Japanese Occupation period. Tainan Shuidao (Tainan waterworks) is a historical landmark located within Shanshang District of Tainan City, and was originally established by the Japanese to cater to the need for potable water among people living in Tainan city. In 1912, the Taiwan Sotokufu (Governor Generalship) approved of the project in the 28th Teikoku Gikai (Imperial Conference) to initiate construction of modern infrastructure capable of supplying public water to 100,000 residents in Tainan City.
2.History:
i.Japanese Occupation:
During the Japanese Occupation period, in an effort to improve hygiene and health infrastructure in the Tainan region to control epidemics, Technical Specialist and hygiene consultant to the Taiwan Sotokufu (Taiwan Governor Generalship), W.K. Burton, and his student and assistant Hamano Yashiro were charged with surveying water sources and water quality in southern Taiwan in 1897 (30th year of Emperor Meiji). Results of the site surveillance were used to propose a waterworks employing rapid filtration methods.
In 1912, the Taiwan Sotokufu approved of the proposal in the 28th Teikoku Gikai (Imperial Conference). A budget of 2.63 million Yen was provided to begin the construction of the waterworks that was scheduled to last 4 years. Hamano Yashiro was named as the Chief Technologist of the Tainan Shuidao (Tainan waterworks) and construction began in earnest shortly after. Work was delayed in 1913 due to readjustments to Tainan city planning. The delay was worsened as a result of World War I. Subsequent increases in the price of relevant materials also necessitated adjustments to the total budget. The waterworks were completed and began supplying public water on 31 October 1922 after a total of 11 years of construction (and 7 years of delay). The final budget amounted to 4.33 million Yen, 1.70 million higher than what was originally planned. The system was planned to supply 100,000 individuals with water. After its completion, the system begun to supply the Greater Tainan Area and its vicinity with public water.
3. Value:
i. Public water systems and infrastructure are a feature of modern cities. Tainan Shuidao (Tainan waterworks) was operational since its completion in 1922 to after World War II, witnessing the modernization and development of public health infrastructure during the Japanese Occupation period. The system serves as a symbol for the history of Taiwanese public water systems as well as the area's cultural history.The facilities of Tainan Shuidao also contributed significantly towards the economic development of the Greater Tainan region. The building itself is characterized by special architectural features as well as spatial arrangements, offering great tangible value that became the center of the focus. Tainan Shuidao is not only an important destination for district tours, it is also an important part of our country's cultural heritage.Although Tainan Shuidao has lost much of its past glory, it has served its immensely important role and is now a reminder of our country's history.
ii. Designation as a historical site:
County-level historical sites - During the Tainan County Government Historical Landmark Review Meeting of November 2002, Tainan Shuidao was officially designated as a county-level historical site.
National-level historical landmark - by referring to the overall planning report from National Cheng Kung University, the Ministry of the Interior formally announced on 29 September 2005 to designate the site as a national-level historical landmark (Taineimin-zi, No. 0940070609).
iii. In 12 December 2010, the president of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) came to Taiwan to award the heritage certificate to Taiwan Water Corporation to extol the efforts of the Japanese engineer Hamano Yashiro for the construction of Tainan Shuidao. Tainan Shuidao has great historical value, and it is hoped that the certificate will help to preserve the facility.This is the second heritage certificate awarded by the JSCE to a historical Japanese civil engineering project, the first being Wushantou Reservoir.
4. Introduction:
Tainan Shuidao, together with the two major areas of the main filtering equipment once called Shuiyuandi (water grounds) in the Shanshang region, and Shuidaoqi reservoir (water purification pools) served as important public water supply infrastructure for downtown Tainan during the Japanese Occupation period.
Tainan Shuidao and Shuiyuandi are located at the T-intersection of County Expressway 178 and 184. The gates have been moved further inside. Visitors to the Shuiyuandi would be able to see classical colonial offices and laboratories placed in an L-shaped arrangement behind the rapid filtration tanks. Going further east would be the pressurizing room for water delivery as well as the power generators. There's also a bust dedicated to the engineer Hamano Yashiro. The entire area is decorated with dozens of Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) and other old trees manually planted by the Crown Prince of Japan. The water purification area includes water reservoirs, water measurement and management room, and water testing labs. The staircases are clad in cobblestone, while the gardens are decorated by dozens of old trees.
Visitors entering from City Expressway 178 must drive along an avenue flanked by palm trees to reach the front gates of Tainan Shuidao. The right side of the palm tree avenue would be a seedling garden that now belongs to the Tainan City Government. During the Japanese Occupation period, this garden was part of Tainan Shuidao. In 1974, the Tainan Shuidao was relegated to Taiwan Water Corporation, while the seedling garden became a property of Tainan City Government.
The source of water of Tainan Shuidao was derived from surface water. This water was first pumped to sedimentation pools. After multiple stages of sedimentation, the water would be sent to the filtering room to undergo filtration and addition of potassium alum. Once water purification standards have been reached, the water would be then sent to the pumping room where it would be transferred to the Shanshang water purification pools for storage at the south side of the mountain. Differences in gravitational potential was then used deliver water to Tainan City and supply the residents there.
5. Features:
i. Arich and comprehensive natural ecology:
Shuiyuandi has plenty of plants and trees, making it a perfect habitat for many animals and insects. As the area was designated as a water collection area, the surrounding lands have been protected from pollution or damage, helping to preserve a rich ecological environment.
ii. Designer's bust:
There is a bust commemorating Hamano Yashiro, the designer of Tainan Shuidao. A copper plaque is embedded into the base of the bust, describing the origins of the memorial and the contribution of Mr. Hamano towards the development of Taiwan.
iii. Rapid filtration tanks:
Few rapid filtration tanks would be constructed within a western building. However, this arrangement provides excellent anti-earthquake effects. The walls were clad with British brickwork and reinforced with steel strips tightened with screw bolts, allowing the entire building to survive multiple disasters.The 14 German-made rapid filtration tanks and peripheral equipment were some of the first imported public water infrastructure and facilities in Taiwan.
iv. Water purification pools:
The purification pool is composed of both natural and imitation stone. Although shaped like a fortress, the building itself is not very big. The purification pool, however, stretches left and right by over a dozen meters to the water quality lab. Astute visitors can also notice neatly arranged ventilation ducts along the ceiling on top of the purification pools.
Applications must be submitted in order to visit the national-level historical landmark of Tainan Shuidao.
Please visit the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tainan City Government for more information.