Gemaal Wortman, Municipal monument pumping station in Lelystad, Netherlands.
Gemaal Wortman is a concrete and brick pumping station equipped with four centrifugal pumps powered by diesel engines. Each pump can remove about 500,000 liters of water per minute through four discharge pipes.
The pumping station opened in November 1956 as part of efforts to drain the Eastern Flevoland polder. Working alongside two other stations, it helped complete this land reclamation project.
The southwest facade displays a relief sculpture by Paul Grégoire showing a woman representing the sea handing a child symbolizing new land to a man.
Visiting requires advance planning since this is a specialized industrial facility with restricted access. It is best to check locally beforehand to understand what viewing options are available.
The pumps were obtained from America through the Marshall Plan, reflecting post-war international cooperation. This makes the facility a rare example of American industrial technology in a Dutch context.
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