| Shallow wells in Aston's gravel and sandstone provided plentiful
water when the manor was sparsely settled. But with urbanization and
the huge demands of industry the water supply dwindled, and became
polluted by middens and cesspools. In 1826 a Waterworks Company was
formed: within five years two deep wells had been sunk (Aston Wells
pumping station in Witton) and Salford Reservoir was in use. Meadows
in the Tame bend, bounded by Priory, Aston Hall, and Lichfield Roads
had been dug out and embanked to make a 20-acre pool: this was lower
than the areas it served, so that every gallon had to be pumped through
the mains. The engine-house was at the canal-side, opposite Waterworks
Street, using waterborne coal. In mid-century an 8-acre reservoir
with filter beds was made between the larger one and the turnpike.
From the Company's reservoir and pumping station in north Edgbaston
all of Aston and most of Birmingham could be supplied by water main
and gravity feed. More deep wells were sunk as demand grew, Perry
(open) Reservoir was made, and Witton Lakes were acquired. Birmingham
Corporation bought the Waterworks Company in 1876 and continued
to tap new sources and supply larger areas. Aston Millsite became
a pumping station. By the end of Victoria's reign nearly all of
Aston's domestic wells had been closed: supplies from Plants Brook
and Shustoke Reservoirs, plus eight deep wells, were providing 630
million gallons annually to the region, and no further local sources
could be found.
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