Drummoyne Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drummoyne Reservoir |
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Drummoyne Reservoir in 2019
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| Location | Rawson Avenue, Drummoyne, City of Canada Bay, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1910–1913 |
| Architect | Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage - J G S Purvis; Design Engineer |
| Owner | Sydney Water |
| Official name: Drummoyne Reservoir; WS0038; Drummoyne Elevated Steel Reservoir | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 15 November 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1625 |
| Type | Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam |
| Category | Utilities - Water |
| Builders | Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage (Substructure); Poole & Steele Ltd (Tank) |
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The Drummoyne Reservoir is an old water storage tank in Drummoyne, New South Wales, Australia. It's a special building because of its history and design. It was built between 1910 and 1913 by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage, with J. G. S. Purvis as the engineer. The company Poole & Steele Ltd made the tank itself.
This reservoir is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical site. It used to hold water for the area but was stopped from doing so in 1994.
Contents
History of Drummoyne Reservoir
Sydney's hilly landscape means that many water tanks and reservoirs are needed. These act like big storage buffers. They hold water and use gravity to send it to homes.
The first reservoirs, built from 1859 to 1899, were made of brick. They were often built underground. As Sydney grew, more storage was needed. New materials like iron and steel were used.
Between 1910 and 1914, four special reservoirs were built. These included Drummoyne, Penshurst No. 2, Bellevue Hill, and Ashfield Reservoir No. 2. They were unique because they combined reinforced concrete and mild steel. Reinforced concrete uses steel bars inside concrete to make it stronger.
The Drummoyne Reservoir was built from 1910 to 1914. It was an open steel tank, 80 feet (24.3 m) wide. It could hold 1,000,000 gallons (about 4.5 million litres) of water. Water flowed into it from Potts Hill. It helped store water and keep the pressure right for Drummoyne.
Sir Thomas Henley and the Tower
The reservoir is linked to Sir Thomas Henley. He was a local leader in Drummoyne for many years. He helped bring many improvements to the area, like tram lines and electricity.
Sir Thomas Henley encouraged the Water Board to build reservoirs in higher parts of Sydney. He even helped choose the site for the Drummoyne Reservoir. It's said that he pushed for the tower to be built next to the Drummoyne Reservoir. He heard that the Bellevue Hill reservoir would have a tower and wanted Drummoyne's to look just as good. The Bellevue Hill tower was actually for military lookouts, but Drummoyne's was mainly for decoration.
Over the years, some changes were made. In 1975, a metal roof was added to the top of the tank. This was part of a plan to cover all reservoirs for safety. The reservoir was stopped from holding water in 1994. It was later used for training, but has been empty since the mid-1990s.
What the Reservoir Looks Like
The Drummoyne Reservoir is a big round steel tank. It sits on a round concrete base. This base is held up by steel columns and girders (strong beams) on the inside. It also has arched concrete columns around the outside.
The tank is 80 feet (24.3 m) wide and 40 feet (12.2 m) tall. It's made of seven layers of steel plates joined together with rivets (special metal fasteners).
The top of the tank has a metal roof, added in 1975. There's also a walkway around the top with a safety railing. A water level indicator on the side shows how much water is inside.
The tank's floor is a thick reinforced concrete slab. This slab has special joints to allow for the steel tank to expand and shrink with temperature changes. Inside the slab are pipes for water to enter, leave, and overflow.
The support structure has 24 steel columns. These columns are made of strong steel sections and are braced together. They hold up the concrete slab. There are also 16 concrete columns around the outside. These columns are square and get narrower towards the top. They are connected by semicircular arches.
Specifications
- Capacity: 1 million gallons (4.5 million litres)
- Top Water Level (above sea level): 168 feet (51.2 m)
- Depth of Water: 31 feet (9.5 m)
- Diameter of Tank: 80 feet (24.3 m)
The Reservoir Tower
The tower is on the south-east side of the reservoir, facing Rawson Avenue. It's square and gets narrower at the bottom. It has decorative ledges (called cornices) at different levels.
The bottom part of the tower has a main entrance door. This door has steps and decorative walls. A special stone tablet next to the door shows the name of the Water Board, the year it was built, and the names of the Board members.
Higher up, the tower has round openings on its sides. The next section has tall, narrow openings. On the side facing the tank, there are doors that connect to walkways around the reservoir.
The very top of the tower is a small room called a belvedere. It has a low, pyramid-shaped roof. The belvedere originally had open windows, but these were later bricked up. A wind vane and lightning rod sit on top of the roof.
Inside, the tower has a concrete staircase that seems to float from the walls. It has a wrought-iron railing. The pipes for the reservoir's water are located under the tower's floor. The inside walls are exposed brick.
The reservoir and its tower are still mostly in their original condition. They are no longer used for water storage.
Why Drummoyne Reservoir is a Heritage Site
The Drummoyne Reservoir is important because it's one of four similar reservoirs built for Sydney's water supply. These reservoirs were special for several reasons:
- They were the first large elevated reservoirs (meaning they were built above ground).
- They were the first to combine steel tank walls with reinforced concrete floors.
- They were among the first to use the "Monier" concrete reinforcement system.
The designers wanted these reservoirs to look good and fit into their surroundings. They added decorative features to make them landmarks.
Drummoyne was one of only two reservoirs built with an attached tower. It was the only one where the tower was purely for decoration. It's now the only one of these towers that still exists. The tower and reservoir together are a great example of "Federation Free Classical" architecture. It's a local landmark that adds to the area's look.
The tower is also linked to Sir Thomas Henley. He was a very important local figure who helped get these reservoirs built.
The Drummoyne Reservoir is listed on the National Trust of Australia register and the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's recognized for its importance in history, design, and its connection to the community.
Historical Importance
The Drummoyne Reservoir shows how water supply technology developed in New South Wales. It was part of the first group of large, elevated water storage tanks in Sydney. These tanks allowed water to reach higher areas using gravity, which was a big improvement.
Its history also shows how Sydney grew and how the water supply system changed over time. The reservoir's design also shows how public buildings were once made to look beautiful and fit into the community. This was different from later designs that focused only on cost and function. The bold design shows the pride of the engineers and designers.
The tower's connection to Sir Thomas Henley also highlights how important individuals can be in shaping their communities.
Design and Beauty
The Drummoyne Reservoir and its tower are a noticeable feature in the skyline. They can be seen from far away. Even though it's a functional building, it was designed with careful architectural style. The tower and arched base are good examples of Federation Free Classical architecture. This style was popular when the reservoir was built. The design helps the large tank blend in with the surrounding buildings. It has good proportions and shows attention to detail.
Community Value
People who care about industrial heritage value the Drummoyne Reservoir. They appreciate its history, technology, and beauty. Its listing on various heritage registers proves this value.
Research Potential
The Drummoyne Reservoir can help us learn about how its construction method performs over a long time. Since it's no longer used, it can provide different information compared to the other three reservoirs that are still in use.
Rarity and Uniqueness
- It's one of only four large elevated reservoirs in Sydney that combine steel walls with a reinforced concrete floor.
- It's part of the first group of elevated reservoirs built by the Water Board using the Monier concrete reinforcement system.
- It's the only remaining water reservoir in Sydney with an attached tower. It was one of only two ever built with a tower.
- Its tower is the only known example of a reservoir tower built purely for decoration.
- It's the only known reservoir with a direct link to a famous local leader and politician.
Representative Example
The Drummoyne Reservoir is a good example of the four elevated reservoirs built between 1910 and 1914. Its role in supplying water to the area shows how all service reservoirs work in Sydney. Its appearance and decorative tower show how much care was taken to make these structures fit into their surroundings. This shows that people cared about urban design even back then. The tower also represents the design of access towers attached to reservoirs in Sydney.
