Abstract
Contributing to the optimisation of drinking-water supplies is a key responsibility for professional hydrogeologists. Thus, it is interesting to look back and put current-day practices in the framework of historic evolution and past achievements. The water supply of Bruges (Belgium), with an innovative supply system already established by the end of the 13th century, forms an interesting case study. The supply system consisted of an underground network of pipes feeding public and private wells. A special construction, the Water House, was built to overcome a topographical height difference. Population growth and industrial expansion during the 19th century increased the water demand and new solutions were necessary. Tap water became available from 1925 onwards and, as a stopgap measure to meet demand, deep groundwater was used. This invoked a lively debate among the city council, scientists and entrepreneurs, whereby both water quality and quantity were discussed. Although based on a lack of modern understanding of the groundwater system, some arguments, both pro or contra, look very familiar to current-day hydrogeologists.
Résumé
La contribution à l’optimisation de l’alimentation en eau potable est une responsabilité clef pour les hydrogéologues. Ainsi, il est intéressant de regarder en arrière et de positionner les pratiques actuelles dans le cadre de l’évolution historique et des réalisations passées. L’approvisionnement en eau potable de Bruges (Belgique), avec un système d’alimentation innovant déjà établie à la fin du 13ème siècle constitue un cas d’étude intéressant. Le système d’alimentation est composé d’un réseau souterrain de conduites alimentant des puits publics et privés. Une construction spéciale, la Maison de l’Eau, a été bâtie afin de surmonter une différence de hauteur topographique. La croissance démographique et l’expansion industrielle au cours du 19ème siècle ont donné lieu à une augmentation de la demande en eau et de nouvelles solutions étaient nécessaires. L’eau du robinet est devenue disponible à partir de 1925 et, en tant que mesure pour satisfaire la demande, l’eau souterraine profonde a été utilisée. Cette solution a provoqué un vif débat entre le conseil municipal, les scientifiques et les entrepreneurs, où les issues de qualité et de quantité de l’eau ont été discutées. Bien que basés sur un manque de compréhension moderne des systèmes d”eau souterraine, des arguments, à la fois pour et contre, sont très familiers des hydrogéologues de nos jours.
Resumen
Contribuir a la optimización de la provisión de agua potable es una responsabilidad clave para los hidrogeólogos profesionales. Así, es interesante mirar en retrospectiva y colocar las prácticas cotidianas en el marco de la evolución histórica y de los logros del pasado. El abastecimiento de agua de Brujas (Bélgica), con un sistema de suministro innovador ya establecido a fines del siglo 13, constituye un interesante caso de estudio. El sistema de abastecimiento consistía de una red subterránea de cañerías que alimentaban pozos públicos y privados. Una construcción especial, la Water House, se construyó para superar un desnivel topográfico. El crecimiento de la población y la expansión industrial durante el siglo 19 incrementaron la demanda de agua y fueron necesarias nuevas soluciones. El agua corriente estuvo disponible desde 1925 en adelante y, como una medida temporal para satisfacer la demanda, se utilizó agua subterránea profunda. Esto suscitó un animado debate entre el ayuntamiento, los científicos y los empresarios, en el que se debatieron tanto la calidad como la cantidad del agua. Aunque basado en una falta de comprensión moderna del sistema de aguas subterráneas, algunos argumentos, tanto a favor como en contra, parecen muy familiares a los hidrogeólogos de hoy en día.
摘要
为饮用水供水最优化做出贡献是专业 水文地质工作者的重要责任。因此,回顾发展历史及在历史演化和过去成就的框架内置入当今实践具有重要意义。比利时布鲁日市的供水早在13世纪末就已经建立了创新的供水系统,形成了非常重要的研究案例。供水系统由连接公共和私有水井的地下管网组成。建造了一个特殊的建筑-水房以克服地形高差。19世纪人口增长和工业发展使用量需求大增,新的解决方案势在必行。1925年后实现自来水供水,作为权宜之计满足用水需要,开始使用地下水。这导致了城市议会、科学家和企业家在水量和水质方面产生激烈争论。尽管当时的争论双方都缺乏当代人对地下水系统的了解,但看起来对当代水文地质工作者来说非常熟悉。
Resumo
Contribuir para a otimização do abastecimento de água potável é uma responsabilidade fundamental para hidrogeólogos profissionais. Assim, é interessante olhar para o passado e colocar as práticas actuais no âmbito da evolução histórica e dos resultados obtidos no passado. O abastecimento de água da cidade de Bruges (Bélgica), com um sistema de abastecimento inovador estabelecido já no final do século 13, constitui um interessante caso de estudo. O sistema de abastecimento consistia numa rede subterrânea de canalizações que alimentavam poços públicos e privados. Foi edificada uma construção especial, a Casa da Água, para superar uma diferença de altura topográfica. O crescimento populacional e a expansão industrial durante o século 19 aumentou a necessidade de água e novas soluções foram necessárias. A água da torneira tornou-se disponível a partir de 1925 e, como medida paliativa para atender às necessidades, foram utilizadas águas subterrâneas profundas. Este facto levou a um debate animado entre o conselho municipal, cientistas e empresários, em que foram discutidas tanto a qualidade, como a quantidade da água. Embora baseado numa falta de compreensão moderna do sistema de águas subterrâneas, alguns argumentos, tanto a favor como contra, parecem muito familiares aos hidrogeólogos dos dias de hoje.
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Acknowledgements
Alexander Vandenbohede is supported by the Fund for Scientific Research - Flanders (Belgium). The authors thank the City Archives Bruges, Tolhuis Provincial Library and the Biekorf Public Library for granting access to the necessary documents and data. We thank Jacobus de Vries, Vincent Post, John Sharp Jr, and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments.
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Vandenbohede, A., Vandevyvere, E. Potable water for a city: a historic perspective from Bruges, Belgium. Hydrogeol J 22, 1669–1680 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1154-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1154-9