Meldijk Uitgeest pumping station

Together with the lock and the bascule bridge, the Meldijk pumping station forms a beautiful and well-preserved complex in the middle of the densely built-up area of Uitgeest. The text 'Gemaal Meldijk' (Meldijk pumping station) is written in red roof tiles on the roof. The right-hand side of the pumping station currently houses a painting school.

Meldijk pumping station, with the lock and bridge on the left and the operator's house on the right of the pumping station. Photo: Colette Cramer

In 1874, the pumping station on Meldijk was put into operation as a steam pumping station. The pumping station pumps water from the Uitgeester and Heemskerkerbroek polders into the Uitgeestermeer lake. The pumping station is desperately needed, because a lot of water flows from the south to Uitgeest. The installation consisted of two steam engines with boilers, each driving a wooden screw pump with a diameter of 1.80 m and a capacity of approximately 80 m³ per minute. The chimney and coal shed were located at the rear.

The Sluishaven with the lock looking south, with the Poldergemaal pumping station from 1874 with chimney on the right. By: Kabel, H., Noord-Hollands Archief / 162 - postcards from the Provincial Atlas of North Holland, inventory number 40602

The design for the pumping station was created by W.C. and K. de Wit, an engineering firm from Amsterdam. The pumping station is a relatively rare type because the double installation and boiler room are located in a single building.

Construction drawing of the Meldijk pumping station by engineering firm W.C. and K. de Wit. The construction drawing is displayed in the Meldijk pumping station.

From steam to electricity

In 1925, the pumping station was converted into an electric pumping station. The screw pumps were replaced by two horizontal screw pumps manufactured by Pannevis, each driven by an electric motor and installed in the screw pump channels. The total cost of the operation was 54,500 guilders. The official trial pumping took place on August 31, 1925. It is likely that the left front door was also removed at that time. The space behind the former door now houses the high-voltage room. The redundant chimney and coal shed were demolished.

The drawbridge over the lock, seen from the Meldijk to the Langendijk, with the polder pumping station and flour mill De Krijgsman (built in 1653 / demolished in 1953) on the right, photo date: 1898-1904. North Holland Archives / 162 - picture postcards from the Provincial Atlas of North Holland, inventory number 40605

The former boiler room, on the right side of the building, was initially used as a meeting room for the polder board and as a storage room. Today, it serves as a studio. The function of the machine room has remained unchanged.

Former boiler room used by the polder administration. Photo: Rob de Reus
The engine room with the Pannevis screw pump and electric motor. Photo: Colette Cramer
The engine room with the Pannevis screw pump and electric motor. Photo: Colette Cramer

Four memorial stones

There are four black memorial stones with gold lettering in the pumping station. Two stones date from 1874 and commemorate the establishment of the steam pumping station. The third stone, from 1925, refers to the electrification of the pumping station. The last stone dates from 1997. In that year, the pumping station was renovated by the then Water Board Het Lange Rond, into which the Uitgeester- and Heemskerkerbroek polders had merged in 1977. The two horizontal screw pumps and the associated suction nozzles were renewed, the pumping station was fitted with an electric duckweed screen, and the operation was fully automated.

Memorial stone from 1874. Photo: Colette Cramer
Memorial stone from 1925. Photo: Colette Cramer

Surroundings

To the east of the pumping station is a small lock with two pairs of pointed gates. It dates from 1641 and was renovated in 1874. The lock was built in brick, but in 1953 it was fitted with concrete lock walls and an inner lock head. The wooden doors were replaced in 2010. This lock allows boats to bridge the difference in water level between the polder and the Uitgeestermeer. The lock also functions as a fish migration route.

Above the lock is a white drawbridge. This was also renovated in 1874 and replaced by a steel drawbridge in 1954. To the west of the pumping station is the engineer's house, built in 1879.

Extra

In 2008, the pumping station was voted the most beautiful pumping station in North Holland by the province. The prize was a painting of the pumping station by Christian Laret. Photo: HHNK

Meldijk pumping station

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