Sewage Pumping Station 3 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sewage Pumping Station 3 |
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Sewage Pumping Station 3, Booth Street, Annandale, New South Wales
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| Location | Booth Street, Annandale, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1902–1904 |
| Architect | New South Wales Public Works Department |
| Owner | Sydney Water |
| Official name: Sewage Pumping Station 3; SPS 3; SP0003; Booth Street Sewage Pumping Station; Annandale Sewage Pumping Station | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 18 November 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1343 |
| Type | Sewage Pump House/Pumping Station |
| Category | Utilities - Sewerage |
| Builders | New South Wales Public Works Department |
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Sewage Pumping Station 3 is a historic building located in Annandale, New South Wales, Australia. It's a special type of sewerage pumping station that helps move wastewater. Built between 1902 and 1904, it was designed by the New South Wales Public Works Department. You might also hear it called SPS 3, SP0003, Booth Street Sewage Pumping Station, or Annandale Sewage Pumping Station. This important site is owned by Sydney Water and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.
Contents
Why Sydney Needed Better Sewers
Back in 1859, Sydney's sewage system was very basic. It had five main pipes that emptied directly into Sydney Harbour. By the 1870s, the Harbour became very dirty. This pollution led to outbreaks of typhoid fever, a serious illness, between the 1870s and 1890s.
To fix this problem, the Government of New South Wales created the Sydney City and Suburban Health Board. This group was tasked with finding a better way to get rid of the city's sewage. Their solution was to build new, improved sewers.
Building New Systems
In 1889, the Public Works Department built two large sewers. One, the Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer, went north towards Bondi. The other went south to a sewage farm near Botany Bay. These sewers used gravity to move the wastewater.
However, some low-lying areas around the Harbour couldn't use gravity. They still drained into the old, polluted Harbour sewers. So, smaller pumping stations were needed. These stations would collect sewage from low areas and pump it up to the main gravity system.
The First Pumping Stations
The first complete system of these low-level pumping stations began in the early 1900s. The Public Works Department built 20 of them around the inner harbour. Sewage Pumping Station 3 was one of these original stations. They were handed over to the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage in 1904. Today, greater Sydney has over 600 low-level sewage pumping stations.
What Does It Look Like?
SP0003 is a low-level sewage pumping station. It sits next to the Johnstons Creek stormwater channel in Annandale. The building has two main parts:
- The superstructure is the part you see above ground. It's a rectangular, single-storey building made of strong bricks.
- The substructure is underground. It's made of concrete and holds the machinery and sewage chambers.
Outside the Building
The building's design is a simpler version of the Federation Queen Anne style. It has a special roof called a gambrel roof, made of corrugated iron. This roof has timber vents on the gable ends and exposed eaves (the parts that hang over the walls).
The walls are made of dark red-brown bricks, laid in a pattern called English bond. The building also has:
- Double timber windows with small glass panes at the top (fanlights).
- Stone sills and lintels (the pieces above and below windows).
- Brick supports (engaged brick piers) with sandstone caps.
- Special gutters and downpipes to collect rainwater.
Inside the Building
Inside, the ceiling is lined with timber boards. The walls are smooth and designed to look like large stone blocks. The underground part (substructure) has a machinery area with two large pumps. These pumps are connected to electric motors. Next to them are two sewage wells and an inlet well, where the wastewater first enters.
Outside the building, there's an original crane attached to the wall. This crane was used to lift heavy equipment. The station is not easily seen from public areas.
Changes Over Time
The building is still mostly in its original state, with some changes that can be undone. It's special because it's the only first-generation station that still has its original lifting crane. The original timber gates are also still there. However, the original slate roof has been replaced. The old timber doors were changed to a roller shutter. The very first pumps were replaced before 1913. Most of the mechanical and electrical parts were updated in the 1970s.
Protecting History: Its Heritage Value
SP0003 is important for its history, its looks, and its technical design. It was one of the first 20 low-level sewage pumping stations built around Sydney. These stations, along with the larger sewers, were a huge step forward for public health. They stopped sewage from being dumped into Sydney Harbour. This was a direct response to the typhoid fever outbreaks that affected Sydney from the 1870s to the 1890s.
Design and Craftsmanship
The building is a great example of the Federation Queen Anne style. Its design and the way it was built show the importance of public utilities during that time. You can see the careful work in the stone decorations and the brickwork.
Long-Lasting Technology
This pumping station is also important because it has been working for almost a century. It still does the job it was designed for, even with some updates to its machinery. It helps us understand how sewage pumping technology and building design have changed. The fact that its original crane and timber gates are still there makes it even more special.
Why It's Listed
Sewage Pumping Station 3 was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999 because it met several important standards:
- It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales. It was part of a major effort to protect public health in Sydney. Its construction shows how Sydney grew and how city services expanded in the early 1900s.
- It shows great design and technical skill. It's a strong, well-designed industrial building from the Federation Queen Anne style. It shows excellent design and craftsmanship.
- It has a special connection with the community. The building's excellent design reflects the work of the Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon. People who care about heritage value these stations highly.
- It can teach us about history. SP0003 can help us learn about how buildings were constructed and designed, especially the concrete parts. It still works almost a century later, showing its lasting design.
- It's a rare or unique part of history. It's a unique part of the first group of low-level sewage pumping stations.
- It's a good example of its kind. The building is a typical example of a small industrial building from the Federation Queen Anne style. It's also a good example of a low-level sewage pumping station.
