Exeter Water Works

Also sometimes referred to as Pyne's Water Works, as it was based at Upton Pyne close to the River Exe.

1828 Charles Wheaton, Co-Proprietor of the Exeter Water Works.

1832 James Golsworthy is the proprietor of the Exeter Water Works.

1833 Company formed. 'The Exeter Water Company bill and Mr. Golsworthy's Bill, were both read third a time on Tuesday night and passed the House of Commons...The proprietor of the Exeter Water Works, Mr. Golsworthy, is proceeding with much activity in laying down pipes of seven inches diameter, from his works at the head Weir, to a spot on the higher ground beyond St. Ann's Chapel, at the head of St. Sidwell's, where he intends forming a reservoir at a height capable of communication with every part of the city, and calculated to contain 40,000 hogsheads.'

1834 New Water Company. Engineer is Mr Anderson, Junior. The works are at Pyne's Mill, beyond Cowley bridge and there are pipes to the reservoir at Danes Castle Field with a fountain at the centre. 'The machinery at Pyne's Mills consists of a water wheel, wheel, pinion, and a crank working three ten-inch pumps which will raise in six hours a greater quantity of water than has been supplied to the inhabitants, from the old Works, at the Engine Bridge, in a week, and in 80 hours will fill the Reservoir. The main pipe, which conveys the water from machinery to the Reservoir is 10 inches in diameter, 3,500 yards long, and is carried across three branches of the River Exe, on cast iron piles and columns, and the pipes exposed at the time of frost, can be emptied; there are outlets also for emptying and cleansing the pipes when necessary, in different parts. At the Reservoir this main branches into two lines of pipe, which pass through a pedestal masonry, the one discharging itself into a basin in the masonry, and the other terminating at the top the fountain standpipe, which consists of a spiral stem and three vases, the highest which is ten feet above the top water of the Reservoir, or 24 feet from the foundation and, at pleasure, the water may be made to pass either into the lower basin in the masonry, and falling from thence into the Reservoir, or it may be sent through the stem of the fountain and discharged at the top vase. From this standpipe the highest houses in Exeter will be supplied, and the inhabitants generally, during the time the Reservoir is being cleaned out. The Reservoir contains an area of 40,000 feet, and will contain upwards of 2,000,000 gallons of water, which nearly four months supply to the present tenants. It is 170 feet above the Head Wear at Exeter, 37 feet above the High-Street opposite the New London Inn, and 14 feet above the highest part of Northernhay walk. The bottom and sides are to be in masonry, that it can be easily and perfectly cleansed when necessary; and to ensure a pure supply of water to the inhabitants, the mouth of the main pipe to the town laid 4 feet above the bottom. The top of the bank will be a gravel walk, 10 feet wide, and the outside slopes will be sown with grass. The city is secured, in cases of fire, the large mains, which are now laid from St. Ann's Chapel in St. Sidwell's, below Westgate-Street along Paris Street to the New Road North-Street to the City Boundary, and will be continued along South-Street to the junction of Magdalen-Street and Holloway-Street, these being constantly filled, with the pressure from the Reservoir acting upon them, an unfailing and abundant supply of water may, at a moments warning, be supplied in any part of the City; as by opening a stop-cock on any of the service-pipes, they in fact become instanter mains; and fireplugs will placed about 60O or 80 yards distant. A saving of £400 per annum effected by using Pyne's Mill instead of a steam-engine. The execution of the machinery reflects the greatest credit on the Contractors, Messrs. Hunter and English, Millwrights, of London, and the highest eulogiums have been paid by a number of eminent scientific gentlemen, to the distinguished talent of the much respected engineer, Mr. Anderson'

1836 To be let are two cottages, with shed buildings, water wheel and premises situated at Engine Bridge and lately used by the Exeter Water Works.

1841 An additional waterwheel was added to the waterworks

1850 Special meeting called to consider report on improvements by the engineer Mr Simpson. Samuel Barnes is Chairman and William Tompson is Secretary.

1852 Exeter Water Works. Request for tenders for works including reservoirs and filter beds. William Tompson, Clerk to the Company.

1853 Sale of stock and materials used in the construction of the Exeter Water Works on behalf of Thomas Dark who is bankrupt.

1856 Steam engine installed.

1864 AGM of the Exeter Water Works. Chairman is Dr. T. Shapter.

1866 A water turbine and pump were installed to cope with increasing demand

1878 Special meeting to close the company and transfer the undertaking to the council. Ralph Sanders is Chairman.

1904 Another turbine and pump were added.

1926 New filter plant at the Exeter Waterworks at Pynes. Supplies water to the city, Alphington, Pinhoe and parts of Topsham and Whitestone. being approx 11,000 acres. Water taken from the Exe above Stoke Canon and piped to settling tanks. Then to six sand filters. The new buildings for future expansion. Works designed by Mr. Moulding. Contractors were Soper and Ayres. City architect is J. Bennett. Chimney erected by William Brealy. Bell Brothers (J. E. Edmondson is director) supplied the filters and fixed the chlorinating plant. Boiler, superheater and economiser by Edwin Danks and Co. Resident Engineer in A. Kneel.

1933 Plans to improve the works at Pynes waterworks and to build a reservoir at Barley lane, St. Thomas.

1960 New 400-foot-deep bore hole at Burrow, Stoke Cannon, to ensure supplies during droughts.

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