Ashfield Reservoir

Ashfield Reservoir
Ashfield Reservoir
	Ashbury water reservoir,, in October 2008
Location	Holden Street, Ashbury, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	33°53′56″S151°07′29″E / 33.8990°S 151.1246°E
Built	1912
Built for	Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage
Architect	Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage
Owner	Sydney Water
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 0003); WS 0003
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	15 November 2002
Reference no.	1622
Type	Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam
Category	Utilities – Water
Builders	Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage
	Location of Ashfield Reservoir in Sydney Ashfield Reservoir (Australia)
Reservoir
Total capacity	1,000,000 imperial gallons (4.55 Ml)
Maximum water depth	39 ft 2 in (11.94 m)
Normal elevation	220 ft (67 m)

Last updated December 11, 2024

The Ashfield Reservoir is a heritage-listed reservoir located at Holden Street, Ashbury, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It was designed and built by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage. It is also known as Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 0003) and WS 0003. The property is owned by Sydney Water (State Government). It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.^[1]

History

Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated), (WS 3) built in 1912, is one of a group of four similar elevated reservoirs in the Sydney Water system, the others being Bellevue Hill Reservoir (WS 10), 1910, Drummoyne Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 38), 1910, and Penshurst Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 87), 1910.^[1]

Petersham Reservoir supplied western Sydney and Illawarra suburbs. A pumping station at Carlton lifted water to Penshurst to supply the higher areas of Kogarah.^[1]

Originally, water from Woollahra Reservoir was fed back to Ashfield Reservoir (1888) to supply the higher areas in Inner West. By 1927 an additional main from Potts Hill supplied Ashfield Reservoir. The reservoir is now supplied by the City Tunnel.^[1]

Description

Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated), (WS 3) is one of a group of four similar elevated reservoirs in the Sydney Water system, the others being Bellevue Hill Reservoir (WS 10), 1910, Drummoyne Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 38), 1910, and Penshurst Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 87), 1910.^[1]

Each reservoir is an elevated cylindrical riveted steel tank, resting on a concrete apron and supported on a steel girder frame. The perimeter of the steel stand has a facade of concrete columns and arches, which forms a decorative, rather than a structural feature. The walkway around the rim of the reservoir is attached to the outside and supported on brackets (decking planks removed).^[1]

Standard features include: handrail in tubular steel, davit, access ladder, trigonometric station, inlet and outlet valve chambers.^[1]

At its full service level of 260 feet (79.25 m), the reservoir has a capacity of 1,000,000 imp gal (4.5 ML).^[1]

The site includes workshops and offices, as well as access to the Pressure Tunnels. Two skid huts are located in the grounds and are a rare survival, demonstrating former working conditions in MWS&DB.^[1]

Modifications and dates

The reservoir has been roofed to safeguard water quality (1960s–1970s).^[1]

Heritage listing

As at 10 June 2005, Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 3) was one of a small group of four similar elevated reservoirs in the Sydney Water system, the others being Bellevue Hill Reservoir (WS 10), 1910, Drummoyne Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 38), 1910, and Penshurst Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 87), 1910. The group of reservoirs demonstrates a high level of engineering expertise and architectural detail, accommodating both structural requirements and aesthetic qualities.^[1]

Ashfield Reservoir was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.

Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 3) is one of a small group of four similar elevated reservoirs, the others being Bellevue Hill Reservoir (WS 10), 1910, Drummoyne Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 38), 1910, and Penshurst Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 87), 1910.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The group of reservoirs demonstrate a high level of engineering expertise and architectural detail, accommodating both structural requirements and aesthetic qualities, rare in NSW.^[1]

The reservoir is a landmark in the surrounding area.^[1]

The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

This reservoir demonstrates the high level of technical expertise available to the MWS & DB for reservoir construction at the time.^[1]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

This reservoir is one of four riveted steel elevated reservoirs on a steel girder stand with concrete surround in the SWC system, rarer still because of the high level of architectural detailing. The "skid huts" are a rare survival.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.

The riveted steel tank was common technology for surface reservoirs, but was extremely rare when combined with an elevated steel frame with concrete apron.^[1]

Related Research Articles

Ashbury is a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It lies in the local government area of City of Canterbury-Bankstown with some areas in the Inner West Council and is about 10 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district. The postcode is 2193, the same as neighbouring Canterbury and Hurlstone Park.

The Woronora Dam is a heritage-listed concrete gravity dam with an uncontrolled serpentine spillway across the Woronora River, located south of Greater Metropolitan Sydney, in the suburb of Woronora Dam, Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, Australia. The principal purpose of the dam is for potable water supply for Sydney's southern suburbs and the northern suburbs of the Illawarra region. The impounded 71,790-megalitre reservoir is also called Woronora Dam and is sometimes incorrectly called Lake Woronora. The dam was designed by G. E. Haskins, Chief Engineer and the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board of NSW (MWS&DB) and built from 1927 to 1941 by the MWS&DB. The property is owned by the Sydney Catchment Authority, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Manly Dam is a heritage-listed dam near King Street, Manly Vale with a reservoir extending into Allambie Heights, both in the Northern Beaches Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It is often used as a place to have recreational activities. The reservoir is located within the Manly Dam Reserve. The dam was designed by the NSW Department of Public Works and built in 1892 by the Department. The reservoir and dam is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The reservoir and dam was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petersham Reservoir</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Petersham Reservoir is a heritage-listed water reservoir at New Canterbury Road, Petersham, Inner West Council, Sydney New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the New South Wales Public Works Department. It is also known as Petersham Service Reservoir and WS089. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Lewisham Sewage Aqueduct is a heritage-listed sewage aqueduct in Gadigal Reserve, adjacent to 5 Grosvenor Crescent, Summer Hill, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Sewerage Construction Branch and Department of Public Works and built in 1900. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Potts Hill Reservoirs 1 and 2 are heritage-listed reservoirs at Cooper Road, Potts Hill, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Board of Water Supply and Sewerage and built from 1880. The reservoirs are now maintained by the Board's successor, Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Pressure Tunnel and Shafts is a heritage-listed water supply system at Potts Hill, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Water Board, which built the tunnel from 1921 to 1935. It is the third largest pressure tunnel in the world. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

Drummoyne Reservoir is a heritage-listed decommissioned elevated service reservoir at Rawson Avenue, Drummoyne, City of Canada Bay, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by engineer J. G. S. Purvis from the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage and built from 1910 to 1913, with the Board responsible for the construction of the substructure and Poole & Steele Ltd responsible for the tank manufacture. It is also known as WS0038 and Drummoyne Elevated Steel Reservoir. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002. Sydney Water sold the property in September 2018 to owners of a chain of childcare centres, who plan to convert the site into a childcare centre while retaining most of the heritage structure.

The Bondi Sewer Vent is a heritage-listed sewer vent shaft located at Military Road, North Bondi, Sydney, Australia. It was designed by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage. It is also known as Sewer Vent (Ben Buckler), Ben Buckler and Earlier brick vent. The property is owned by Sydney Water.

The Waverley Reservoirs are four reservoirs, of which two are heritage-listed, located at Paul Street, Bondi Junction, New South Wales, Australia. They were designed and built by the Public Works Department. The property is owned by Sydney Water.

The Kiama Reservoirs are heritage-listed reservoirs at Irvine Street, Kiama, Municipality of Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. They are owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Old Como railway bridge is a heritage-listed former railway bridge and now footbridge and water main carrier over the Georges River between Como and Oatley in the Sutherland Shire Council and Georges River Council local government areas of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Whitton and Dept of Railways and built from 1883 to 1885 by C. and E. Millar. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Penshurst Reservoirs are heritage-listed reservoirs located at Laycock Road, Penshurst in the Georges River Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. They were designed and built during 1895 by the NSW Public Works Department. The reservoirs are also known as WS87 & R88, Penshurst Elevated Steel Reservoir No 2 and Penshurst Elevated Concrete Reservoir No 3. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Mount Dorothy Reservoir is a heritage-listed reservoir at Caloola Road, Wentworthville, City of Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Metropolitan Water Sewerage & Drainage Board and built from 1959 to 1961. It is also known as WS 0073. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Chatswood Reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2 are two heritage-listed reservoirs located at 559 Pacific Highway in the Sydney suburb of Artarmon, New South Wales, Australia. They were designed and built by the NSW Public Works Department. They are also known as WS024 & WS025 respectively. The reservoirs are owned by Sydney Water, a State-owned statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. The reservoirs were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Premier Street Sewer Vent and Cottages is a state heritage-listed sewer vent and cottages at 24 and 26 Premier Street, Marrickville, Inner West Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the New South Wales Public Works Department, which built it from 1898 to 1900. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Wahroonga Reservoir is a heritage-listed reservoir located at 1678 Pacific Highway and Woonona Avenue in the Sydney suburb of Wahroonga in the Ku-ring-gai Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage in 1915. It is also known as Wahroonga Reservoir (Elevated) . The property is owned by Sydney Water, a State-owned statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Pymble Reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2 are two heritage-listed reservoirs located at Pacific Highway in the Sydney suburb of Pymble in the Ku-ring-gai Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The reservoirs are also known as Pymble Reservoir No. 1 (Covered) and (WS 0097); and Pymble Reservoir No. 2 (Covered) and (WS 0098). The property is owned by Sydney Water, a State-owned statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. The reservoirs were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Crown Street Reservoir is a heritage-listed reservoir located at 285 Crown Street, Surry Hills, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was built by Donohoe and Vaughan. It is also known as Crown Street Reservoir & Site and WS 0034. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prospect Hill Reservoir</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Prospect Hill Reservoir, also known as Prospect water tower or water tower hill, is a heritage-listed water tower situated in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Built in 1934, the tower is one of the few concrete elevated reservoirs in Sydney, which features Egyptian-style doorways and serves the proximate suburban communities.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 0003)". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01622. Retrieved 2 June 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence .

Bibliography

Pollen, F.; Healy, G., eds. (1988). "Ashbury" and "Canterbury" entries, in The Book of Sydney Suburbs.
NSW Department of Commerce, Heritage Design Services (2004). Alexandra Canal Conservation Management Plan.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 0003) , entry number 01622 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 2 June 2018.

External links

Media related to Ashfield Reservoir at Wikimedia Commons

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[nswshr-1622-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Ashfield Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 0003)". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01622. Retrieved 2 June 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence .

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