Praha will begin working on the project to reconstruct the Old Wastewater Treatment Plant

Prague - The Prague Water Management Company (PVS), owned by the city of Prague, will begin preparations for the reconstruction of the Old Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bubenč. The first steps will include documenting the current condition of the historical building and preparing a conceptual plan for its future use. This was approved by the city council today. The city recently terminated the contract with the long-term tenant of the area, the association Továrna. In the future, a water management exhibition could be established there.

"The Old Wastewater Treatment Plant in Prague-Bubenč, built between 1901 and 1906, is a key technical monument and an important part of Prague's water management and technical history. The building is in poor technical condition and requires extensive reconstruction," states the document approved by the councilors. Councilor Michal Hroza (TOP 09) added that it is a unique monument in Europe. "It is the only place in Europe where such a treatment plant is completely preserved," he said.

According to the approved material, the inspiration for future use of the old waterworks could be the educational center for the public, Hydropolis, which PVS is building alongside Prague Water Supply and Sewerage (PVK) in the Vinohrady water tower. "PVS is subsequently prepared to secure financing for the overall reconstruction based on the project plan of the Water Supply Educational Center Hydropolis," the document states.

PVS will now have a construction-technical and construction-historical survey of the Bubenč waterworks conducted, along with the cataloging of technologies and 3D scanning of the building. At the same time, it will prepare a conceptual plan for future use, assuming that the city company would subsequently purchase the building from the city hall at an appraisal price and reconstruct it.

The purchase is to take place similarly to the case of the Vinohrady water tower by increasing the PVS's registered capital, so the city will not actually have to pay anything. The conceptual plan is expected to be presented to the city by the municipal company in about two years, with the transfer of ownership anticipated in early 2028. According to the company, construction work could begin in January 2031 and be completed in May 2033.

The area of the old treatment plant was managed by the association Továrna from 2009 until this August, which held tours and offered the public, for example, trips on a raft across one of the tanks or secured climbs to the ventilation chimney. In addition, they rented out the spaces for weddings, corporate parties, or film crews. The lease was originally scheduled to end at the end of last year, but the city hall extended it until this July. After the lease ended, the management of the area was taken over by the municipal company Trade Center Prague.

The Old Wastewater Treatment Plant was established in 1906 and served as the main wastewater treatment plant for the entire Prague for over 60 years until it was replaced by the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant on Císařský Island. In 1991, the old treatment plant was declared a cultural monument, and in 2010, a national cultural monument.