Episode CCCXIV – A Look into Aruba’s Water Towers and the Legacy of Clean Water

Booking a magical glimpse into Aruba’s heritage starts at Etnia Nativa—call 592 2702 to reserve your cultural experience today!

In this episode, Etnia Nativa shines a spotlight on the island’s most enduring water landmarks—the iconic water towers of Oranjestad and San Nicolas. Built in 1939, these 40-meter-tall towers were more than architectural feats; they were the backbone of Aruba’s water supply system, providing clean, pressurized water to households, hospitals, and public facilities during a time of rapid growth and modernization.

Designed by Pieter van Stuivenberg in a striking Art Deco style, the towers each stored 400 cubic meters of water and stood 25 meters above sea level. More than functional, they symbolized progress—improving hygiene, enabling sanitation systems, and even protecting public health by helping prevent waterborne diseases.

While the San Nicolas tower served its community during a historic 1970s drought, it became obsolete after the opening of the Balashi desalination plant in 1979. By 2016, it had been lovingly restored and reopened as an industrial museum. The Oranjestad tower followed a different path, eventually dismantled in 1990 due to shifting demands from new housing developments.

Today, WEB Aruba N.V. continues the legacy. Since 1932, the utility company has delivered drinking water and since 1958, electricity. Using cutting-edge desalination technologies like Multi-Stage Flash Distillation and Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO), WEB transforms seawater with 55,000 ppm salt content into pure, drinkable water with just 8–10 ppm after a double filtration and remineralization process.

Aruba now stands as a global model in water sustainability—thanks to early innovations like the watertorens and the continuous drive for excellence in public services.

Etnia Nativa reminds visitors and locals alike: understanding Aruba’s identity starts with its roots. This “living museum,” established in 1994, preserves the soul of the island—from natural history to built heritage—and invites you to experience it firsthand.

Photo credits : https://www.arubatoday.com/episode-cccxiv-314-watertorens/