The mystery behind the resemblance of Wiesbaden's Sedanplatz well to a "hood"
The turbid water in the new Sedan Square fountain has left many residents and visitors puzzled. While the source of the issue may not be immediately obvious, a closer look at the fountain's design, maintenance, and water source suggests that poor planning and maintenance practices could be the culprits rather than natural processes.
Public fountains can become turbid due to various factors such as inadequate filtration, poor water circulation, algae growth, particulate matter from the environment, or an improper chemical balance of the water.
The fountain on Sedan Square is not supplied with drinking water, but with Bachwater from the Kesselbach, a natural waterway whose water is led to Sedan Square via an underground pipe. The Bachwater, however, does not undergo filtration, and it always contains suspended matter. This may contribute to the fountain's turbid appearance.
Another concern is the lack of a consistent maintenance routine. The fountain's drain sieve is cleaned daily by the waste management department or the green space department, but the basin and filters are not regularly cleaned, and the water is not treated with disinfectants or chemicals to control algae and microbial growth.
The turbidity in the fountain is exacerbated during heavy rain or wind, when sand, earth, rotting leaves, and other plant parts can enter the waterway from the ground. This environmental debris, in the absence of proper filtration, leads to further turbidity.
To maintain a clear and safe fountain, standard measures include regular cleaning of the basin and filters, consistent water treatment with appropriate levels of disinfectants, monitoring and adjusting water chemistry, and proper circulation system upkeep. Municipal parks and recreation departments often establish maintenance protocols covering these steps to keep fountains visually appealing and safe for the public.
The new Sedan Square was inaugurated in May of this year, and since then, the fountain has been a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. However, the turbid water has caused some confusion among readers of the Merkurist. It is hoped that the municipality will address this issue promptly to ensure the fountain remains a clean and enjoyable feature of Sedan Square.
[1] General municipal water feature issues and maintenance standards. [2] Information on typical public fountain issues and maintenance standards.
Using home-and-garden metaphors, one could say:
- Just as a neglected garden can become overgrown with weeds and mud, the fountain on Sedan Square, with its lack of regular cleaning and proper water treatment, resembles a garden left untended, leading to its turbid appearance.
- To maintain the other attractive feature of Sedan Square, the fountain, in a similar manner as one keeps a well-maintained home, the municipality should implement a consistent maintenance routine, incorporating regular cleaning, proper filtration, and chemical treatment of the water, ensuring a clear and safe fountain for all to enjoy.
