Meldijk Uitgeest pumping station
Together with the lock and the swing bridge, Meldijk pumping station forms a beautiful and well-preserved complex in the densely built-up area of Uitgeest. On the roof is the text "Meldijk Pumping Station" with red tiles. The right part of the pumping station currently houses a painting school.
In 1874, the pumping station at Meldijk was put into operation as a steam pumping station. The pumping station pumped water from the Uitgeester and Heemskerkerbroek polder into the Uitgeestermeer lake. The pumping station is badly needed, because a lot of water comes to Uitgeest from the south. The installation consisted of two steam engines with boilers, each driving a wooden auger with a diameter of 1.80 m and a capacity of about 80 m³ per minute each. At the rear were the chimney and coal shed.
The design for the pumping station was made by W.C. and K. de Wit, an engineering firm from Amsterdam. The pumping station is a relatively rare type because the double plant and boiler room are located in one building body.
From steam to power
In 1925, the pumping station was converted to an electric pumping station. The screw pumps were replaced by two horizontal screw pumps of Pannevis manufacture, each driven by an electric motor. The total cost of the operation was 54,500 guilders. The official test pumping took place on August 31, 1925. Presumably at this time the left front door was also removed. The space behind the former door now houses the high voltage room. The redundant chimney and coal shed fell under the demolition hammer.
The former boiler room, on the right side of the building, was first used as a meeting room of the polder administration and storage room. Today it is a workshop. The function of the machine room has remained unchanged.
Four memorial stones
Inside the pumping station are four black memorial stones with gold lettering. Two stones date from 1874 and recall the establishment of the steam pumping station. The third stone from 1925 refers to the electrification of the pumping station. The last stone dates back to 1997. In that year, the pumping station was renovated by the then Water Board Het Lange Rond - into which the Uitgeester and Heemskerkerbroek polder had merged in 1977. The two horizontal screw pumps and the associated suction nozzles were renewed, the pumping station received an electric duckweed gate and its operation was completely automated.
Surroundings
East of the pumping station is a small lock with two pairs of pointed doors. It dates from 1641 and was renewed in 1874. The lock was constructed of brick, but was fitted with concrete-column walls and inner lock head in 1953. The wooden doors were replaced in 2010. This lock allows boats to bridge the difference in water level between the polder and the Uitgeestermeer lake. The lock also works as a fish migration.
Above the lock is a white drawbridge. This was renewed in also 1874 and was replaced by a steel drawbridge in 1954. West of the pumping station is the engineer's house from 1879.
Additional
- https://www.route.nl/poi/933447/gemaal-meldijk
- http://www.kanoroutes.nl/nl-uitgeest.htm
- https://www.alkmaarder-enuitgeestermeer.nl/activiteiten/102
- https://www.oerij.eu/downloads/user/pdf/waterroute-uitgeest.pdf
