How about a splash of history with your water supply? That’s what you get at the Lugarno Water Reservoir Elevated. This isn’t just a place to store water. It is a landmark with a story to tell.
The Lugarno Water Reservoir Elevated, while not specifically mentioned in the provided documents, shares a common thread with other reservoirs in the Sydney area. Bankstown Reservoir is a prime example.
Bankstown Reservoir began construction in October 1918. It was built to improve the pressure on Ashfield Reservoir and eliminate pumping from Ryde. The cornerstone for the piers was unveiled in November 1918. It sat in stiff clay with an unfaltering shale foundation. The depth averaged 2.7 meters or 9 feet. Concrete was made on site. The sandstone came from a quarry at Potts Hill.
A portable steam engine administered power. The rendering involved ornamental exterior plastering. The interior of the tank got waterproofing by a cement gun. Hand rendering started in February 1920. An aluminum roof was added in 1962 to preserve water quality. It is likely that the concrete walkway was removed or covered by the roof.
After its completion, elevated reservoirs built in reinforced concrete became common until the 1950s. One similar tower was established in the 1930s in Padstow Heights.
Bankstown Reservoir features a circular water tank. It is backed by 36 strengthened concrete pillars and decorative arches. These arches encircle the establishment like a rotunda. Inward columns are assembled of reinforced concrete. The outer ones consist of plain concrete. Construction aggregate was used for the concrete in the elevated tank and its columns. Sandstone conglomeration makes up the bowed encirclement and ground foundations. Instead of a handrail at the top, the reservoir has a concrete rectangular paneled parapet wall.
The tower’s arches have a moulding and a circular pattern above each column. The base of the tank features a moulded apron with rectangular panels above. The structure was restrengthened in 2009 to meet the earthquake code. The design exemplifies the Victorian and neoclassical architecture of the early 20th century. Its structure is mostly intact and has sustained minor alterations, retaining its integrity.
The reservoir has been roofed to safeguard water quality. This happened sometime in the 1960s or 1970s. Brush box, coral tree, poplar, and fig trees surround the reservoir.
Bankstown Reservoir is renowned as the first concrete reservoir elevated on concrete piers. Sydney Water Heritage Program leader Phil Bennett called it the oldest of its kind. He noted its aesthetic value and landmark status. It sits prominently on a hilltop and can be seen for miles. The tower’s rooftop is 86 meters above sea level. It provides panoramic views of the Sydney skyline and Greater Western Sydney area.
These reservoirs hold more than just water. They hold stories of engineering innovation. They reflect architectural styles of their time. They stand as landmarks in their communities.
The Lugarno Water Reservoir Elevated, like its counterparts, continues to serve its community. It is a testament to the past and a vital part of the present. So next time you turn on the tap, remember the towering structures that stand guard over our water supply. They are silent witnesses to history.