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Louisville Water Company WaterWorks Museum

Louisville Water Company
WaterWorks Museum

A woman and two young boys engage with magnifying glasses and vials of discolored water in an exhibit detailing water filtration. At the table is a plastic case filled with rocks and sediment.

Revealing the Journey of Every Drop

The WaterWorks Museum transforms Louisville Water Company’s historic riverside Pumping Station into an engaging exploration of the people, processes, and innovations behind one of North America’s most highly regarded water systems. Created to help visitors better understand where their drinking water comes from, the exhibit traces more than 150 years of scientific, engineering, and architectural achievement, connecting Louisville’s rich history of water stewardship to the essential role clean water plays in everyday life.

Project Details

Client

Louisville Water Company

Location

Louisville, Kentucky

Size

2,000 square feet

Industry

Museums & Cultural Institutions

Scope of Work

Design
Media
Fabrication
Installation

We visited the museum at Water Tower Park, and were surprised at how interesting it was. The exhibit about the history of the Louisville water pumps, and the continuing efforts to to remain one of the best water systems in the country was well put together and fascinating.
Museum Visitor
The museum makes you appreciate the importance of clean, safe water; something we take for granted.
Museum Visitor

Making Infrastructure Accessible and Engaging

One of the project’s primary challenges was translating complex water treatment and distribution systems into experiences that could be understood and appreciated by visitors of all ages. Drawing from Louisville Water’s extensive archival collection, Solid Light developed an interactive, artifact-rich environment that turns invisible infrastructure into tangible discovery. Through hands-on exhibits, historic machinery, and immersive interpretation, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the innovation, expertise, and investment required to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to nearly one million residents every day.

A brown haired young boy looks into a magnifying glass down at a plastic case filled with layers of dirt, sediment, and rocks.

Project Recognition

News

Louisville Water
WLKY Press
KET
Courier Journal

A young boy holds a magnifine glass to his eye as he examines a vial of contaminated water. In the background is the label "Waterworks" centered with a blue exhibit area in the background.
A young african american girl holds a maginfine glass to her eye as she examines a vial of contaminated water.
An exhibit space features rusty equipment, old pipes, and other elements related to in-ground water filtration processes. In the foreground and off to the sides are panels with detailed information. In the background is a black and white media piece projected on the white brick wall.
An exhibit segment features various different pipes and fire hydrants and a circular information panel directly in the center that reads "Pipes! Moving millions of water requires a network of pipes."
A closeup photo looks towards a standing magnifying glass that is attached to a table offering interactive opportunities. To the left are three plastic cases filled with different sediments. In the center are various different vials of contaminated water to examine.
A group of kids wander around an exhibit space detailing the water purification process.
A group of kids engage with magnifying glasses and test vials as they move about an exhibit space detailing the signifigance of water filtration for the cities drinking water.
A woman and two young boys engage with magnifying glasses and vials of discolored water in an exhibit detailing water filtration. At the table is a plastic case filled with rocks and sediment.
A brown haired young boy looks into a magnifying glass down at a plastic case filled with layers of dirt, sediment, and rocks.
Tagged

800 S. 5th Street
Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 562-0060

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