How London got its water: Fascinating photos show can-do Victorians at work 140 years ago building the network of drains, reservoirs and pipes that still supplies the capital today
- Black and white photographs show Victorian men building London’s water network in the 1800 and 1900s
- Fascinating snaps show London’s Fortis Green reservoir and King George’s reservoir under construction
- Workers are seen donning bowler hats and suits as they inspect the sites and lay pipes for the water network
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These fascinating photographs show Victorians hard at work to build the Metropolitan Water Board – which is now known as Thames Water.
Impeccably-dressed men are seen wearing full suits as they stand on muddy construction sites and oversee building work to complete water wheels and London’s Fortis Green reservoir.
Also in the newly released historic pictures from the 1800s and 1900s are images of the sewer network with engineers called ‘flushers’ descending into drains and others in bowler hats inspecting the sites.
The pumping mains outside the engine house of Staines reservoir in Surrey are also seen in one black and white snap, with the infrastructure and red brick building still standing today.
A five-year project, carried out in partnership with the City of London Corporation, has seen 19,579 glass slides and transparencies catalogued in acid-free photon envelopes and boxes with many now shared online.
The stunning images are now stored at London Metropolitan Archives in Farringdon, alongside Thames Water’s extensive collections from London’s former water companies, which date back to 17th century.
Newly released historical pictures have shown London’s impressive water and sewage network being built by well-dressed Victorians. Pictured is a stylish crowd of men in bowler and top hats gathering along a bridge to watch water spraying out from underneath them during the opening of Chingford Reservoir in 1912
Other black and white snaps from the collection include this image of seven men, including one sporting a pocket watch and bowler hat, taking a break from their work in 1894. The pictures are stored at London Metropolitan Archives in Farringdon
The Metropolitan Water Board was founded in 1903 to bring the nine private water companies which were supplying water to London under a single public body. Pictured are men digging holes at the Walton-on-Thames Water Treatment Works in 1909
By the late eighteenth century, more than 80 percent of London’s houses had piped water, making it a model for other cities around the world, reports the City of London. Although embarking on large building projects the Victorian men (pictured at an unknown location in 1894) who were tasked with improving the network still ensured they looked their best in full suits
The Staines Reservoirs lies to the east of the King George Reservoir near Heathrow airport in Surrey. The pumping house (left now and in a black and white picture, right, with pipes yet to be connected and laid for the network) is pictured during construction in 1909
The King George V Reservoir is part of the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain that supplies London with drinking water. It is a storage reservoir and covers 420 acres, making it the largest in London. Workmen build the King George’s reservoir in London in 1909
The Island Barn Reservoir was authorized by the Lambeth Water Act of 1900 and was built by Sir Robert McAlpine. The project was completed and opened in 1911 (workers are pictured with lots of blocks during the building process)
A large crowd of men gather on both sides of a dug out walkway to watch a section of pipe being installed at Nunhead in 1889
Construction was started on the King George reservoir in 1908 and completed in 1912. It was opened by King George V in 1913 and named in his honour. A well-dressed young man is seen inspecting the building site during construction in 1909. Pictured left is the reservoir, which is part of the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain, now
This fascinating snap shows several workmen building Island Barn reservoir in 1909. Some of the men are seen operating heavy machinery while others lay wooded planks and help guide the others laying pipes
The construction of a bridge and chanel for part of London’s waterworks in seen under construction in 1910. A man in a black suit is seen observing others working to the side of the bridge
Lots of men are seen working on the Fortis Green reservoir in London in 1907, with one carefully balancing a long wooden pole
The scale of the Fortis Green reservoir can be seen in this snap taken during construction in 1907. A five-year project has seen 19,579 glass slides and transparencies catalogued in acid-free photon envelopes and boxes with many now shared online
The men working at the Fortis Green reservoir had to lay pipes, build structural walls and operate machinery for the works to be completed (pictured are workers in 1907)
Another image now shared online and at the archives shows huge pipes running up a large structure at an unknown location with two men inspecting it
The inside of the pumping station, which is tiled in white and black, looks immaculate in another picture now available from the archives
Small railways were laid to help move the machinery (pictured at an unknown location) during construction and development of London’s water network
Victorian houses can be seen over looking the construction site of the Fortis Green reservoir in London in 1907