Did you know that Amsterdam has over 150,000 water well covers? These modest yet essential elements provide access to the sewer system—a hidden world beneath the city where our wastewater and rainwater flow through an extensive network of pipes. For the Amsterdam 750 jubilee year, Waternet has come up with something special: custom-designed water well covers.
To celebrate this historic year, artist Alex Fischer—known for his manhole cover art worldwide—created a unique Amsterdam 750 manhole covers. Together with Councillor Van der Horst, Junior Mayor Rüya, and the children of the children’s council, he unveiled the first piece on Wednesday, November 6, by creating a special artwork. This design is much more than just decoration; it symbolizes the infrastructure beneath our feet that has kept Amsterdam moving for centuries.
The new water well cover tells Amsterdam’s often-forgotten story. 750 years ago, the city looked vastly different: sewage ran through the canals, and clean drinking water was not guaranteed. Thanks to the sewer system beneath our feet, Amsterdam remains healthy and clean. These special covers are not only pieces of art but also reminders of the city’s history and the hidden layers that keep Amsterdam running. So keep your eyes open—soon, on a walk through the city, you might just discover a piece of hidden history beneath your feet!
Waternet is a proud partner of Amsterdam 750, working daily to keep the city clean and sustainable. During this jubilee year, approximately 1,500 old manhole covers will be replaced with the new design, spread throughout the city. Additionally, Waternet will provide drinking water to Amsterdam residents at major jubilee events, so we can celebrate responsibly and sustainably together.
