In order for us to reach the very convenient, refreshing and rather necessary plateau of the age of the Water Cooler, this is how water wended its way throughout the UK throughout the decades.
This week, we look at potable water solutions and discoveries through the 1800’s.
1808
Richard Gillespie devised a filter system for Glasgow’s Cranston Hill waterworks using a layer of sand and gravel.
1820s
Robert Thom in Scotland and James Simpson in England perfected mechanical and sand filtration at the same time.
1826
Aberdeen collected water from near the Bridge of Dee by building a tunnel alongside the river which drained off filtered water from the river bed.
1840
John Roe helped solve the problem of blocked drains by building an egg-shaped sewer.
1847
Polluting drinking water was made a criminal offence.
1847
An aqueduct and pipeline was built to bring water to Bristol from sources 25km away.
1848
Manchester built five reservoirs in the Langdendale Valley 15km from town.
1852
The General Board of Health recommended building new sewers in every town.
1853
Leicester was the first town to set up sewage works to treat waste water.
1859
Glasgow’s Loch Katrine works were opened providing the city with a supply of 230 million litres per day. At the time, the Corporation was warned about the dangers of lead pipe corrosion by soft acid waters.
1861
Aberdeen extended its River Dee tunnel system to supply 28 million litres per day.
1865
Joseph Balgazette designed the first interceptor sewers to carry London’s sewage down the banks of the Thames to be dumped into the estuary.
1867-78
New laws allowed town councils and local authorities to take water companies into public ownership.
1869
The “Native Guano Co.” at Hastings and Leamington dried and pressed sewage to sell as manure.
1880
Liverpool built Britain’s first all-stone dam on the River Vyrnwy in Powys.
1885
Water was checked for bacteria for the first time.
1890s
Bacterial sludge beds were first designed for treating sewage.
1892
Birmingham was given 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres) of Wales to build three reservoirs in the Elan Valley. These were opened in 1904.
At AquAid, we’re pleased to say that we offer the aforementioned potable water in a variety of forms, from bottle fed through to mains fed water coolers.
Water comes from 3 different sources throughout the U.K. and our water coolers are available nationwide, a few that are highlighted above. But do have a look at our nationwide coverage to establish which AquAid will best suit your requirements.
Plus, revenue from sales is donated by AquAid to sustainable charities like Christian Aid and The Africa Trust.
