Musée des Égouts

Museum of the Sewerage - Sewers Museum


Useful Information

Location: In the Pavillon de l'Octroi (Toll House) at Porte d Anderlecht, 1000 Brussels.
Open: All year Wed 10-17.
Closed during holidays.
Or by prior arrangement.
[2007]
Fee: Adults EUR 3, Children (6-14) EUR 2, Children (0-5) free, Citizens of Brussels with ID free.
[2007]
Classification: SubterraneaSewage System
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=300,000 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Musée des Égouts, Pavillon de l'Octroi, Porte d'Anderlecht, B-1000 Brussels, Tel: +32-2-5138587. E-mail: contact
Ville de Bruxelles - Département Travaux de Voirie Cellule Égouts (Sewerage Service of the City of Brussels), Rue de la Serrure, 24, 1000 Bruxelles, Tel: +32-2-50070-31, Fax: +32-2-50070-39.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1869 river Senne covered.

Description

The river Senne, which flows through Brussels, was always used as an open sewer. Even today it is used, but it is now covered. However, until today 75% of the sewage flows untreated into the North Sea.

The Musée des Égouts (Museum of the Sewerage) is run by the Service des Egouts de la Ville de Bruxelles (Sewerage Service of the City of Brussels) which is a communal institution. The tours are held by the égoutiers (sewermen) who explain their daily work. A typical part is the removal of all solid waste from the sewage system, to avoid congestion. In the bigger canals, they use wagon-vanne (gate-cars) which look like draisines and roll on the narrow concrete paths on both sides of the sewer. This car has a big plate at the bottom which is lowered into the channel and used to push the sediments out of the channel. Workers are pulling the gate-car from one entry point to the next, sometimes it is also possible to move it with the force of the sewage water.

It is possible to visit a small part of the sewage system on self guided tours. There are also guided tours, but they are offered only on appointment.