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HISTORY
AN 1893 FRESHWATER PUMP STATION TURNED EDUCATION CENTER
1893
The Rome-Floyd E.C.O. Center's mission and building history are steeped in the waters of the Oostanaula River.
1893
Oostanaula Freshwater Pump Station Opens
In the late 1880s, Rome quickly outgrew its original drinking water reservoir (the "Clocktower" water system). Increased awareness of the importance of pure water and knowledge of filtration processes led the City to build a new pump station on the banks of the Oostanaula River in 1893. Steam pumps pushed 2 million gallons of water per day through 2, 16in cast iron mains to the Jackson Hill waterworks facility. You can still see these original pipes in the "belly" of the E.C.O. Center. The building operated as a pump station through the early 1990s until the new complex was built beside it. It remained a City of Rome asset for several years before the idea of the E.C.O. Center was born.
The E.C.O. Center Holds Its First Programs
2011
Forward-thinking members of City Management had a vision to turn the unused building into a river education center. With its proximity on the riverbank, the facility would become a hub for aquariums and exhibits that would help the City fulfill its federal mandate for water quality education programs. The idea was included on the 2006 SPLOST ballot and passed thanks to the citizens of Rome and Floyd County. In 2011 the E.C.O. Center began hosting its first field trips, reaching roughly 600 students in its inaugural year. Over the next several years, it steadily increased to serving 12,000 students and adults annually!
2025
Second Round of Renovations Completed
As the E.C.O. Center rapidly grew in popularity, so did its need for additional space. The citizens of Rome and Floyd County again voted yes to a SPLOST in 2017 that included upgrades to the facility. Demolition began November 2023, and the final touches were completed 1 year later. This renovation project included converting a portion of the basement into classroom space, adding a new entrance, offices, and elevator, expanding exhibits, and much more. The E.C.O. Center is able to serve the public in more interactive and dynamic capacities as a result of the project and will continue to use the space to positively impact the community. The 1893 building that used to transport water from the Oostanaula for civilian use is still using that same river to explore the ecological diversity of the Coosa River Basin. Today, we continue to reach over 12,000 people each year and expect that number to grow as a result of this latest project!
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