Penshurst Reservoirs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Penshurst Reservoirs |
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| Location | Laycock Road, Penshurst, Georges River Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | NSW Public Works Department |
| Owner | Sydney Water |
| Official name: Penshurst Reservoirs; WS87 & R88; Penshurst Elevated Steel Reservoir No 2; Penshurst Elevated Concrete Reservoir No 3 | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 18 November 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1330 |
| Type | Water Supply Reservoir / Dam |
| Category | Utilities - Water |
| Builders | Public Works Department |
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The Penshurst Reservoirs are special water tanks in Penshurst, Australia. They are listed as a heritage site, meaning they are important to history. These reservoirs were built in 1895 by the NSW Public Works Department. They are also known by names like WS87 & R88 and Penshurst Elevated Steel Reservoir No 2. The reservoirs are owned by Sydney Water, which is a government group that supplies water. This site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.
Contents
How Penshurst Reservoirs Were Built
The Penshurst Reservoirs have a long history of helping supply water to Sydney. Over the years, new reservoirs were added as more people moved to the area.
Early Water Storage
In 1891, a large cast iron tank was built at Penshurst. It could hold about 90,000 litres of water. Today, only its brick base remains. This tank got its water from the Upper Nepean Scheme, which is a big water system. A pumping station at Carlton helped move the water.
Adding More Reservoirs
As more water was needed, Penshurst Reservoir No. 1 was built in 1895. This was a steel tank that sat on the ground. By 1910, even more water was needed. So, the elevated Penshurst Reservoir No. 2 (WS87) was constructed. It was a steel tank raised high off the ground.
The first Penshurst Tank from 1891 was moved in 1914. It went to Campbelltown and later to Warragamba in 1942. The fourth reservoir, Penshurst Reservoir No. 3 (WS88), was built in 1938. This one was a large concrete tank, also raised high up.
Connecting Water Systems
In 1924, the Lakemba Pumping Station started supplying water to Penshurst. It also sent water to other areas like Wiley Park and East Hills from 1930. The old Carlton pumping station was kept for emergencies until 1939.
Penshurst Reservoir No. 1 was taken down in 1951 and moved to Newport. Later, in 1958, plans were made to connect the Woronora Pipeline to the main Sydney water system. This led to new pipes and pumping stations being built. By 1969, this system was finished. It allowed water from Warragamba to flow into the Woronora Pipeline. This helped supply water to places like Sutherland and Cronulla.
What the Reservoirs Look Like
The Penshurst Reservoirs are important examples of how water storage was built in the past. They show clever engineering and design.
Penshurst Reservoir (WS87)
Penshurst Reservoir (WS87) is one of four similar elevated reservoirs in Sydney. The others are at Bellevue Hill, Drummoyne, and Ashfield. Each of these is a round steel tank. It sits on a concrete base and is held up by a steel frame.
Around the base of the steel frame, there are concrete columns and arches. These are for decoration, not for holding up the tank. They make the reservoir look nice. The walkway that used to be around the top of the tank has been removed. The reservoir also has a handrail, a special crane called a davit, a ladder, and a gauge to show the water level.
This reservoir can hold about 6.6 million litres of water. When full, the water level is 92 metres high.
Other Features at the Site
The Penshurst Reservoir site also has other interesting parts:
- The old cottage where the Water Service Officer lived.
- The concrete base of the first Penshurst Reservoir (No. 1).
- The brick stand from the very first Penshurst Tank (from 1891).
- Valves and pipes that connected the Woronora water supply to the Upper Nepean System in 1942.
- Three small "skid huts," which are old work sheds.
There are also many trees and plants around the site. These include cypress, jacaranda, and native species.
Changes Over Time
In 1977, a roof was added to the reservoir. This was done to keep the water clean and safe to drink.
Why Penshurst Reservoirs Are Important
The Penshurst Reservoirs are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means they are protected because of their historical and engineering importance.
Historical Significance
The Penshurst Reservoirs show how quickly Sydney's southern suburbs grew. As more people moved in, more water was needed. The site also shows different ways reservoirs were built over time. Since 1942, it has been a key link between the Woronora and Warragamba water supplies. The site has been used for water supply for over 100 years, starting in 1891.
Engineering and Design
Penshurst Reservoir (WS87) and Penshurst Reservoir (WS88) are very noticeable landmarks. They stand out against the sky. The group of reservoirs, including those at Bellevue Hill, Drummoyne, and Ashfield, show amazing engineering skills. They combine strong structures with beautiful designs. This site also shows many different ways that water storage tanks were built.
Unique Features
Penshurst Reservoir (WS87) is one of only four elevated steel reservoirs in the Sydney Water system. It's special because of its detailed architectural design. Penshurst Reservoir (WS88) is the largest elevated concrete reservoir in the Sydney Water Supply System. The small "skid huts" on the site are also rare. They show what working conditions were like for water workers in the past.
The way the steel tank was built, raised high on a steel frame with a concrete base, was very rare for its time. It shows how advanced the building methods were.
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