Kirkintilloch & Lenzie Water Works
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TitleKirkintilloch & Lenzie Water Works
ReferenceBK/13
Date1868-1964
Scope and ContentThe records of Kirkintilloch and Lenzie Water Works date from 1868 when it was decided that a proper water supply was required for the Burgh of Kirkintilloch, but the initial proposal of connecting to the Loch Katrine supply of the Glasgow Corporation was rejected. Instead, work began on taking water from the Corrie Burn, near the Corrie Spout and lead to a storage tank there. This scheme cost around GBP14,000 and was opened in 1874. Initially, people had to apply to be connected to the main water supply, and so many did so that out of Burgh applications had to be rejected. Between 1874 and 1877 the Burgh appointed their first Water Superintendent and in 1881 appointed an Inspector of Water Works. The Water Superintendent made monthly reports to the Council Water Committee, which included analysis of water.
A special water supply district was also set up around the same time in the Parish of Cadder in the neighbouring area of South Lenzie. Both the rates of water assessment and the boundary of this special district were contested and the Burgh Commissioners and the Parish ended up in court over the dispute.
By 1881 this storage tank was too small for the demands of the Burgh, so work began on constructing Woodburn Reservoir, completed in 1885 at a cost of GBP 13,000. By 1894 this had been further expanded; a 3ft addition was made to the embankment, increasing the total capacity. Corrie Reservoir was constructed in 1905 at a cost of GBP 25,000 in response to the ever-increasing demands. In 1922, the Town Council purchased Antermony Loch to be used as a reserve supply to Woodburn Reservoir. The process of purchasing land on the Antermony Estate began in 1868 with tenders and specifications being submitted for this process.
Eventually it was recognised that the water system needed to be modernised to satisfy public health requirements. As a result of this a new filtration plant was installed at Woodburn in the 1960s.
In 1967 the Water (Scotland) Act created thirteen regional water boards to manage water supply in Scotland. Kirkintilloch Burgh was part of the Loch Lomond Interim Water Committee, which first met in 1963 to discuss the proposed regionalisation. The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 set up three water authorities: East of Scotland Water, West of Scotland Water (the Water Authority for the Burgh of Kirkintilloch) and North of Scotland Water. These in turn amalgamated to form Scottish Water as a result of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.
A special water supply district was also set up around the same time in the Parish of Cadder in the neighbouring area of South Lenzie. Both the rates of water assessment and the boundary of this special district were contested and the Burgh Commissioners and the Parish ended up in court over the dispute.
By 1881 this storage tank was too small for the demands of the Burgh, so work began on constructing Woodburn Reservoir, completed in 1885 at a cost of GBP 13,000. By 1894 this had been further expanded; a 3ft addition was made to the embankment, increasing the total capacity. Corrie Reservoir was constructed in 1905 at a cost of GBP 25,000 in response to the ever-increasing demands. In 1922, the Town Council purchased Antermony Loch to be used as a reserve supply to Woodburn Reservoir. The process of purchasing land on the Antermony Estate began in 1868 with tenders and specifications being submitted for this process.
Eventually it was recognised that the water system needed to be modernised to satisfy public health requirements. As a result of this a new filtration plant was installed at Woodburn in the 1960s.
In 1967 the Water (Scotland) Act created thirteen regional water boards to manage water supply in Scotland. Kirkintilloch Burgh was part of the Loch Lomond Interim Water Committee, which first met in 1963 to discuss the proposed regionalisation. The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 set up three water authorities: East of Scotland Water, West of Scotland Water (the Water Authority for the Burgh of Kirkintilloch) and North of Scotland Water. These in turn amalgamated to form Scottish Water as a result of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.
SubjectWater-supply, Waterworks
Level of descriptionsub-fonds
Repository nameEast Dunbartonshire Archives - Kirkintilloch