(English panel:)
On 16 June 1909, the Reykjavik Water Utility was founded when fresh, drinking water was conveyed through a pipeline from a river and cold springs on the outskirts of Reykjavik to the town center. It was a defining moment in the city's history, as people were no longer dependent on sparse, poor-quality water that came from local wells.
Reykjavík Mayor Knud Zimsen, who was instrumental in driving the project forward, stood at this street cor-ner when the first hydrant was turned on, and thus the Water Utility was formally operational. As a result, public health and hygiene improved dramatically, fire safety was enhanced and new industries were born.
(Icelandic panel:)
Timamót urðu í sögu Reykjavíkur þann sextánda júní árið 1909, þegar Vatnsveita Reykjavíkur tók til starfa. Fersku neysluvatni var þá veitt til bæjarins, fyrst úr Elliðaánum en sfaar frá Gvendarbrunnum. Þar með þurftu bæjarbúar ekki lengur að treysta á óheilnæmt brunnavatnia, sem oft var líka af skornum skammti.
Knud Zimsen, einn helsti hvatamaður að gerð vatnsveitunnar og siðar borgarstjóri Reykjavikur, stóð á þessu horni þegar skrúfað var frá fyrsta brunahananum. Með þvi má segja að vatnsveitan hafi formlega tekia til starfa. Með tilkomu hennar stórbatnaði heilsufar Reykvíkinga, þrifnaður jókst, brunavarnir
efidust og nýjar atvinnugreinar komu til sögunnar.
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