Limerick Waterworks Company, 1833-1883

Reference code: IE LA P9 

Extent: 11 Items

Scope & Content

The Limerick Waterworks Company collection consists of records dating from 1833 to 1883. It includes records relating to purchase of land by Limerick Waterworks (P9/1-3); account books (P9/5), water rental books (P9/7); correspondence book (P9/8), and a file relating to the sale of the company to Limerick Corporation (P9/11).

Subjects

Limerick Waterworks Company

Creator(s)

Limerick Waterworks Company

Biographical / Historical Note

The first scheme to bring a supply of piped water toLimerickbegun in 1834. Prior to this water requirements were met from wells, streams, or the riverShannon. Such resources of supply were liable to contamination and would give rise to outbreaks of water-borne disease such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.

In June 1825 R. Leadbetter, an engineer, made an estimate of £43, 000 for supplying the Limerick citizens with piped water, by providing a pumped supply from Shannon at Rhebogue to a reservoir to be constructed at Cromwell’s Fort, Gallows Hill (now Garryowen). This scheme was sanction by Act of Parliament in 1825, however actual construction did not commence until 1834.

In 1834, London Waterworks Company (later renamed Limerick Waterworks Company) built two tanks at Cromwell’s Fort, Garryowen. To supply these tanks, a pumping plant was built at Rhebogue, about 1½ miles upstream fromThomondBridge, which extracted water from theShannon. The water then passed through a settling tank and a rough sand filter, before it was pumped to the tanks at Garryowen.  Two steam engines were used to raise the water to Garryowen. This plant was used until 1921.

In 1859, as the city only had a supply of water every alternate day, R. W. Ryland was called in to advise on a further extension of existing works which was completed in 1863. It consisted of a storage reservoir on the Ennis road, served from the Garryowen reservoir.

In 1879 Dr. T O’ Sullivan reported that the public supply was both inferior and inadequate, and a movement was begun to get an improved supply. A number of proposals were made by various consulting engineers, none of which were taken any further.

Article 60 and Article 61 of the 1853 Limerick Improvement Act had authorized Limerick Corporation to purchase both the water company and the gas company. However Limerick Corporation did not purchase the water company until 1885. The Limerick Waterworks Act was passed in 1883 to facilitate the purchase.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: N.A. 

Use Restrictions: N.A. 

Related Materials: 

Limerick Corporation Water Works collection (L/WW/) should be consulted for researchers interested in water supply system of Limerick from 1883 onwards, and for post 1934 records should consult collection L/WS   Limerick City Council Water and Sewage

Researchers interested in the estate of Reverend Richard Moore, Rhebogue should note that Limerick Archives also holds a copy of the Rentals and Particulars of Sale of his estate, dated 1887 (P/SC/11).