Pidpa – historically

Pidpa’s story starts in 1910.  Count de Baillet-Latour, governor of the province of Antwerp worries about the lack of drinking-water in his province.  As opposed to other parts of Belgium with already existing waterworks, the people of this province with exception of the towns of Antwerp and Turnhout, still needed to use the water of wells and brooks.  

This not only caused discomfort but threatened also public health.  During the 19th century thousands of people died as a consequence of tyfus-and cholera epidemics.  The provincial committee for water was established to end this situation.  They needed to investigate a lay-out of a drinkingwater network.

Three years later, in 1913 on July 14th, the Provincial and Intercommunity society of the province of Antwerp(Pidpa) was established.Of the then communities 35 signed together with the province administration the memorandum of association.  These pioneers were : Berchem, Blaasveld, Booischot, Boom, Borgerhout, Brasschaat, Broechem, Dessel, Deurne, Duffel, Ekeren, s’Gravenwezel, Halle, Heindonk, Heist-o/d-Berg, Hemiksem, Herentals, Hoboken, Hombeek, Leest, Lier, Lillo, Mechelen, Merksem, Mol, Oosterweel, Putte, Rumst, Schilde, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Tongerlo, Westerlo, Willebroek, Wilrijk en Wommelgem.

A slow start

Originally they intended for one centralized water-gathering to supply the all province.  Various studies pointed out Lommel to be the best suited place.  But the community as well as the province of Limburg opposed against this plan.  Later this appeared to be positive.  One gathering-unit would have complicated later developments.  On top of this drilling-trials proved the total watersupply of the underground in Lommel to be insufficient for provision of the all province.In the meantime the need for tap water in the province grew bigger.  The digging-works of the Albert–channel during the thirties caused dryness of the wells along the way.  Various communities grew impatient.  They demanded results.  Mechelen even withdrew completely from the partnership and started building its own network. Time to try another tack.

The first actual steps

A profound hydro-geological study of the subterranean of the province of Antwerp showed the northeastern part to contain sufficient water to satisfy the needs.  They decided to build different water-gatherings, scattered over this territory.  The depression slowed down the project but thanks to the support of the province the first Pidpa-network was layed at Boom in 1935.  An agreement was made with the Antwerp waterworks for delivery of water in order not to waste time and to satisfy the needs of the city.  

Herentals, started in 1938, was the first complete Pidpa-distribution, with water of its own gathering.  Four new networks were layed out before the second World War started : Hemiksem, Brasschaat, Kapellen and Rumst.  During the war the works were delayed.  In spite of this a new network was put into use at Duffel.

A break-through

More communities wished to join Pidpa after the liberation. They were welcomed with open arms.  As a consequence a record of new networks was established in the fifties.  The number of customers was quintupled in ten years time.  In 1960 Pidpa counted already 70.000 subscribers.  Also the number of staff grew from 13 in 1936 to over 300 in the sixties.

In 1955 the different departments were decentralised because of the establishment of 4 regional offices being Boom, Brasschaat, Geel and Lier.  In those days headquarters moved to its own building at Deurne, Rivierenhof.Very soon this building became too small and a new head-office was established at the Desquinlei at Antwerp.This building from 1964, was renovated thoroughly between 1998 and 2000.

During the seventies and eighties three more additional local offices were put into use at Turnhout, Mechelen and Grobbendonk (a logistical operation).  Pidpa’s definite break-through came in the seventies. 

In 1976, in one calendar year, the intercommunity put into use not less than 14 municipal networks.  An absolute record in her own history.  One year later the 5 remaining "dry" communities were history. The complete province of Antwerp was provided with drinking-water.  The dream of Governor de Baillet – Latour was realized.

In 1980, the city of Mechelen, having extended their own network since the thirties, linked up again.  Two years later the number of customers exceeded the peak of 300.000.  On July 1st 1995 the tap water network of the city of Turnhout was taken over and customer 400.000 was celebrated.

Partners leave no doubt: concession renewed

During the General Assembly of February 24th 2003,  the concession of 1913 was renewed by the partners and extended until 2021.  At the  meetings of January 13th, 14th and 15th the partners were also informed about the co-operation project between Pidpa and AWW.
The many advantages the fusion would bring about will hopefully stimulate the partners to agree upon  completion.

In the meantime a formerly small company developed into a businessconcern with future perspectives.  Also this history repeats itself with every new day.