Clear Water Project 2026 - Art Meets Technology

Under the tongue-in-cheek motto “We Drink from the Wupper,” a new art and upcycling project in the Lower Rhine region combines historic industrial culture with modern, private water purification. In the midst of the grand anniversary year marking the 125th anniversary of the Wuppertal Suspension Railway, the “Clear Water Project 2026” showcases a fascinating symbiosis of aesthetics and technology right at the kitchen sink in a private household.

While tap water in this country already boasts excellent drinking water quality thanks to strict controls, our father, Rolf Eichler, wanted to make a very special statement. He sought to create a visual and technical highlight that bridges the gap between modern home technology and the region’s natural water sources. To visually bring this idea to life, he initiated an exclusive collaboration with us.

The foundation for this was the wall art piece “the kaiserwagen” from the WALL ART collection, which was custom-made in a special size for the project and installed directly above the sink.

Why Water Filtration?

Although the quality of public drinking water is already excellent, in-home filtration is becoming increasingly important in everyday kitchen use. The reason: As water travels through household pipes - which are often several kilometers long - to the faucet, its taste can be affected by minute particles or materials in the pipes. Targeted filtration directly at the point of use not only minimizes these potential factors but also neutralizes substances that impair taste and odor, such as chlorine or organic compounds. The water tastes noticeably fresher and smoother, allowing the full aroma of fine coffee or tea to unfold. In addition, there’s no more need to lug around heavy water crates - a clear benefit for personal comfort and the environment.

The Wupper River and the Suspension Railway

The visual highlight of the installation and the direct thematic link to the element of water is our striking photograph of the imperial carriage above the Wupper River, paired with the majestic shadow of the monumental steel framework cast upon the river’s surface.

The photograph was taken as the train entered the Werther Brücke station. It shows the historic showpiece of the Schwebebahn - an original, preserved museum train from the 1900 series - on its first official journey following several years of restoration and maintenance.

“For 125 years, the Wuppertal Suspension Railway has been a symbol of pioneering engineering. The ‘Kaiserwagen’ design perfectly combines this time-honored tradition with cutting-edge filtration technology. It is a visual symbiosis of industrial history and modern quality of life.” – Rolf Eichler

A Milestone in Industrial History: 125 Years of the Suspension Railway

The Wupper River, which winds like a blue ribbon through the narrow, topographically challenging valley, once gave rise to what is arguably the world’s most extraordinary form of public transportation. Since there was no room for a conventional rail system in the densely built-up industrial area of the late 19th century, engineer Eugen Langen devised the design principle of a suspended monorail. The 125th anniversary of the Wuppertal Suspension Railway, celebrated in 2026, commemorates its official opening in 1901.

The absolute gem of this era is the legendary Kaiserwagen (Class 1900), named after the historic imperial test ride taken by Wilhelm II and Empress Auguste Viktoria in October 1900. This reddish-brown, nostalgic vehicle is regarded as a floating monument to the imperial era and continues to embody the tireless pioneering spirit of the Bergisches Land to this day. In conjunction with the ecological renaissance of the Wupper River - which over the course of decades has transformed from an industrial sewage channel back into a vibrant, clean river ecosystem - the visual composition embodies the values of sustainability, progress, and appreciation.

Three-stage purification for a personalized Premium-Plus experience

Directly beneath the artwork lies the technical heart of the private installation: a three-stage filtration system made of solid, food-grade stainless steel. The compact system serves as an additional refinement step to ensure absolute top quality in the proverbial “final meters” of the in-house piping and utilizes three specialized filtration stages to achieve this.

“Healthy, absolutely pure water shouldn’t be a luxury. With this project, I’m presenting a tangible solution: by combining art and precision filtration technology, we can be sure of enjoying pure water straight from our own taps every day.” – Rolf Eichler

The three stages of filtration

1. The “Active” stage (activated carbon): A high-quality, sintered activated carbon block optimizes the taste and odor of the water by neutralizing any substances that may affect the taste and minimizing organic compounds.
2. The PFAS Special Cartridge: A dedicated stage for highly effective, targeted filtration and reduction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
3. The NANO Germ Barrier: A certified hollow-fiber membrane with an ultra-fine pore size of up to 0.1 μm acts as a mechanical barrier against microplastics, the finest suspended solids, and germs.

Installation and Maintenance

Despite its high-end, professional performance, installing this water filtration system is surprisingly straightforward. The compact stainless-steel housing connects to the cold-water line in no time at all via flexible hoses - either directly under the sink or, as in this case, elegantly mounted above it. A professional installer is generally not required for this.

Subsequent maintenance also fits effortlessly into daily life: The sturdy wall mounts with practical clip-on fasteners allow the housing to be opened with a single motion. The filter membranes and activated carbon cartridges can thus be replaced in less than two minutes without tools. For hygienic reasons and depending on water flow rate, replacement is necessary only every six months.

A Clear Statement of Regionality and Quality

The result of the installation is noticeably refreshing, soft drinking water straight from the tap, which forms a perfect technical analogy to the clarity of the artwork hanging above it.

Background on System Architecture & Physical Optimization

To create an uncompromising barrier against specific contaminants such as PFAS, the system was flexibly expanded to three filtration stages using a supplementary housing from Wagner. In addition to the three-stage mechanical and chemical filtration, the installation features another technical highlight: high-performance magnets on the supply lines ensure physical water optimization. These support limescale conversion, protect the faucets, and contribute to the noticeably soft, fresh feel of the drinking water.

Technical Parts List (Extensions & Connections)

Wall Art
“The Kaiserwagen” by cam/b® in a special size

Core Filter Components & Extensions
(Source: Camping Wagner / Alb Filter)

Alb Filter FUSION Active + Nano Drinking Water Filter, Camping Set: Mobile
Complete set including a stainless steel double housing (natural stainless steel), the Active and Nano filter cartridges, a GEKA connection set, and a storage case.

Alb Filter Protect Pre-filter Module
Additional pre-filter module made of natural stainless steel, including a replacement pad to protect the downstream filter stages from coarse suspended solids.

Alb Filter Protect 3-Pack Replacement Pads
Replacement pads for the Protect pre-filter module.

Alb Filter PFAS Special Cartridge
Filtration and reduction of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances

Alb Filter Wall Mount, Black
Sturdy mount for secure installation of the filter system.

Alb Filter TRAVEL Active Drinking Water Filter
Permanently installed filter module in natural stainless steel for additional expansion of the filter stages.

Wagner Single Filter Housing
System expansion to the 3rd stage

Installation, Connection, & Faucet Parts
(Available from: Amazon)

AIDE Wall-Mounted Cold-Water Kitchen Sink Faucet
Single-handle brass faucet for the kitchen, sink, and outdoor use, with a 30.5 cm chrome-plated stainless steel pipe for wall mounting.

tecuro Wall Plate / Ceiling Bracket
Valve connection for surface mounting made of chrome-plated brass (CW617N in accordance with the Drinking Water Ordinance). Equipped with a ½-inch female thread and a 3/8-inch male thread, including a compression fitting for 10 mm pipes.

Beatific ½-Inch Mini Ball Valves
Brass mini shut-off valves, ½ inch, DN15 model for water, oil, and gas, with a blue handle.

NIYATA Shower Hose Adapter, ½-Inch, 90-Degree Elbow
Chrome-plated elbow connector/extension with male and female threads made of sturdy brass for space-saving pipe routing.

Special Magnets
Physical Water Structuring

Additional Accessories
90-degree elbow adapters, reinforced hoses, as well as V2A stainless steel screws and cap nuts for vibration-free system installation

Cover image: Dirk Eichler
Featured image: Rolf Eichler
Illustration: Dirk Eichler
Text: Dirk Eichler

Links:
https://alb-filter.com
https://www.campingwagner.de
https://www.amazon.de

AI transparency notice: This text was created with the support of AI.