Water Supply of London

Water Supply of London
   Until the 13th century the inhabitants of the City were dependent for their water supply on the natural wells and streams that existed in and about the City.
   These wells seem to have been very numerous, at least so far as the northern districts were concerned.
   Clerkenwell possessed, besides its own Clerk's well, Skinners-well, Fagswell, Goswell, all mentioned in early records, while Everard's well was in the Cripplegate area, and other wells, such as Dame Agnes le clair" and " Holywell" were to be found further east.
   Besides the wells there were the streams of Holborn, the Fleet, and Walbrook within the City area flowing down to the Thames.
   As the City increased in size, however, the tendency was for these streams to become filled up and polluted, so that in course of time it became necessary to seek for other sources of supply. To the north and west of the City other streams were available, and the Tyburn, receiving the waters from the high lands of Hampstead and Highgate, promised a pure and abundant supply.
   In 1235 the City acquired land at Tyburn with liberty to make pipes to convey the water from Tyburn to fixed places in. the City for the use of the citizens. For this purpose a conduit head or receipt house was erected over, or as near as possible to the natural -spring or springs forming the sources of supply, and water was led into it, filling a cistern or tank, and passing on through the pipes to the distributing base one or more miles distant. Numerous conduits (q.v.) were erected in the City to receive the water, which was stored in them and drawn from cocks or taps by the citizens as required.
   These conduits continued in use until the 16th century, when a scheme was initiated by Peter Morice, a Dutchman, for bringing water from the Thames into London by means of pumps and forciers. It was for this purpose that the water works at London Bridge were constructed.
   In the 17th century a further supply was assured by the formation of the New River Company by Hugh Myddleton to bring water from Hertfordshire and from the Lea into the City.

A Dictionary of London. . 1918.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • London water supply infrastructure — London s Water Supply Infrastructure has developed over the centuries in line with the expansion of London and now represents a sizeable infrastructure investment. For much of London s history, private companies supplied fresh water to various… …   Wikipedia

  • Water supply — is the process of self provision or provision by third parties of water of various qualities to different users. Irrigation is covered separately. Global access to waterIn 2004 about 3.5 billion people worldwide (54% of the global population) had …   Wikipedia

  • Water supply and sanitation in Ghana — The water supply and sanitation sector in Ghana faces severe problems, partly due to a neglect of the sector until the 1990s. Tariffs were kept at a low level which was far from reflecting the real cost of the service. Economic efficiency still… …   Wikipedia

  • water-supply system — Facilities for the collection, treatment, storage, and distribution of water. Ancient systems included wells, storage reservoirs, canals and aqueducts, and water distribution systems. Highly advanced systems appeared с 2500 BC and reached their… …   Universalium

  • London —     London     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► London     London, the capital of England and chief city of the British Empire, is situated about fifty miles from the mouth of the Thames, Lat. 51°30 , Long. 0°5 . The word London is used in widely… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Water heating — is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hot water are for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating. In industry, both hot water and water heated to steam have… …   Wikipedia

  • Water privatization — is a short hand for private sector participation in the provision of water services and sanitation, although more rarely it refers to privatization of water resources themselves. Because water services are seen as such a key public service,… …   Wikipedia

  • London — /lun deuhn/, n. 1. Jack, 1876 1916, U.S. short story writer and novelist. 2. a metropolis in SE England, on the Thames: capital of the United Kingdom. 3. City of, an old city in the central part of the former county of London: the ancient nucleus …   Universalium

  • Water politics in the Middle East — As a vital natural resource, water plays a key role in both global and domestic politics, particularly in terms of the need for states to ensure access to sustainable and adequate provisions of water. It is often only when supply levels are… …   Wikipedia

  • Water wheel — This article is about the machine for converting energy of flowing or falling water. For paddle wheels used to propel watercraft, see paddle wheel ship. For wheels used solely to lift water, see Noria. For factories or industries driven by water… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”