Dirk Frederik Wouda, chief engineer of the Provincial Water Authority of Friesland, designed the building, and Professor J.C. Dijxhoorn designed the engines. Queen Wilhelmina opened it on October 7, 1920. A lightning strike hit the unprotected chimney during construction, which required rebuilding it. The article describes the style as traditional with influences of rationalism.
Four steam engines drive eight centrifugal pumps, with a total capacity of 4,000 cubic meters a minute. The boilers were replaced in 1955, and the furnaces were converted to heavy fuel oil in 1967.
UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1998. It pumps excess water from Friesland at high water, though the article gives the frequency as a few times a year and as about once a year. It offers regular tours.
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