Huwei River Estuary Introduction
During the Japanese colonial period, in 1896, the Japanese hired British engineer Barton as a sanitary engineering consultant for the Taiwan Governor-General's Office to address Taiwan's tap water problem. The current "Shuangjuntou Water Plant" is the first tap water plant in Taiwan. The classical stone archway, inscribed with the words "Huwei Water Source," has endured a century of providing clear water and continues to supply the Tamsui area with water. The present "Huwei Waterway" is a natural underground water source at low elevation, located at the foothills on Water Source Street in Tamsui District, and is renowned as Taiwan's first aqueduct. The heritage site includes three parts: the Shuangjuntou Water Source, the valve chamber, and the fire hydrant on Sanmin Street. The valve chamber and fire hydrant are small public buildings within the city, while the water source springs from the depths of volcanic rock at the foothills of Datun Mountain, flowing year-round with clear and sweet spring water in a tranquil environment. The guardroom, brick columns at the entrance, and these century-old facilities protecting the water source have now been designated as registered historic sites.
