Filtry Lindleya: Visiting Warsaw's 140-Year-Old Waterworks

140 years of Warsaw water

Warsaw's waterworks celebrated the 140th anniversary of their operation in 2026, the municipal water and sewage company MPWiK announced at this year's Night of Museums. The capital's water and sewer system was co-created by the outstanding engineer William Heerlein Lindley, and its historic filter station - Filtry Lindleya, entered from Koszykowa Street - remains its most famous monument.

How visits normally work

Per MPWiK, individual visitors can normally see the historic station during summer open days on selected July and August days (paid, per the price list in force), during the Night of Museums (free, with limited places), and at other open promotional events. Tours last about an hour and a half, pushchairs are allowed, and photography is permitted in places indicated by the guide.

Currently suspended

MPWiK notes that because of the Charlie-CRP and Bravo alert levels currently in force, visiting the Filter Station is suspended until further notice. Anyone planning a visit should check the company's website for the resumption of open days.

A once-a-year underground extra

For the 2026 Night of Museums, MPWiK also opened a storm-overflow chamber under the junction of Ratuszowa and Jagiellońska streets on Praga - a Lindley-era structure built about 118 years earlier, walkable from a viewing gallery around the still-active channel. The chamber opens only once a year, to adults only, in small pre-briefed groups, and only in dry weather.