The provision of water was a major concern for Victorian towns. Thankfully, the upland areas around Preston were ideal as a catchment area...
The provision of water was a major concern for Victorian towns. Thankfully, the upland areas around Preston were ideal as a catchment area. 1815 had seen the formation of an improvement commission for the Preston Borough. One of its missions was the provision of a reliable water supply. Preston originally obtained water from springs in the Alston area. However in 1835, a new reservoir was built at Grimsargh.There was also a reservoir built close to Longridge, at Upper Dilworth.
The 19th century was known as ‘the new sanitary age’, although towns like Preston were the opposite. During the early industrial era the life expectancy in Preston was appalling, with the average age being 24.5 years. However, early legislation, up to 1850, led to the employment of improvement commissioners, who were responsible for public health issues. Then a local board of health was formed. This took over responsibility for water provision and sewage disposal.
It was found that the supply was wanting in purity, pressure and quantity. There was not enough to cleanse the filth that gathered in the town, and it was recommended that water should be used ‘extravagantly’ to this end.Much wrangling preceded the private water company being brought into public ownership. The ‘wholly unwholesome’ water supply was always being complained about by the townspeople, but very little was ever done about it.
However, he pointed out that a clean supply was available by tapping Cowley Brook. This was filtered through the surrounding millstone grit hills, which acted as a natural filter. This source had not been used because it supplied as many as six mills further downstream, and the water company did not want to pay compensation. Eventually the local board took over the water company and the situation improved.As Preston grew, many more reservoirs were built by Preston Corporation.
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