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. As demand from Preston increased, other reservoirs were built around Longridge.

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. 

1844, concerns grow about the water supply

Preston Corporation was proud of its waterworks. They often featured ornate, castle-like pumping stations, and were featured on sets of postcards.

Although Preston was one of the better supplied towns, with 5,300 houses out of a total of 10,000 being connected to a pressurised supply, the cost of water was too high. The quality of water was also suspect, with the only method of purification being deposition. 1848 saw the passing of the Public Health Act, which endeavoured to make Victorian towns less toxic. As a result Preston Corporation took over the waterworks, and a surveyor was instructed to make a full report on the state of the water supply.

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.

The wrangles of 1852

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. Henry Wrigg was the engineer and surveyor appointed to deal with the water supply, and he had a constant exchange of correspondence with the water company. Samples of water were sent to Professor Calvert at the General Board of Health, who found that the water quality was inadequate. 

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.

Longridge reservoirs

As Preston grew, many more reservoirs were built by Preston Corporation. Most were around Longridge. Spade Mill no 2 was built as late as 1956.

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