3-011-719 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New waterworks at Caterham, Surrey, 1862. 'To supply [a plentiful supply of good water fit for domestic use,] the principal landowner, at his own expense, has had waterworks constructed, at a cost of more than £12,000, including between six and seven miles of distributing mains and pipes. The north elevation of these waterworks is shown in the Engraving...the supply of this indispensable necessary of life was necessarily obtained by sinking a deep well in the chalk stratum, which, as is well known to those persons practically acquainted with the subject, can, in the hands of a skilful engineer, be made to yield a most abundant supply of excellent water...This water is pumped up, by a steam pumping-engine, into four reservoirs, contained in the building shown in the Engraving...The water, after being softened by Dr. Clark's well-known process, flows by gravity through pipes laid in various directions to supply the consumers...The well and reservoirs and works have been constructed from the designs, and under the superintendence, of Mr. S. C. Homersham...and are the third set of waterworks constructed by him in which Dr. Clark's softening process is applied. The elevation and architectural features of the building were designed by Mr. Richard Wm. Drew'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.