Imagine London in 1896. The Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company created Sunnyside Reservoir. It was built for pre-treatment water storage.
Sunnyside Reservoir is in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. It is part of the Hampton waterworks complex. This reservoir has been crucial to London’s water management.
How deep is it? Sunnyside Reservoir plunges to 35 feet. That is about 11 meters. Its capacity is impressive at 292 Megalitres. That’s a lot of water.
Its area covers 6.8 acres. This equals 2.74 hectares. The walls are made of puddle clay. They are 3 feet or 1 meter thick. This ensures its structural integrity.
Let’s consider its original purpose. Sunnyside Reservoir was designed for pre-treatment water storage. The Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company understood water quality. Pre-treatment was essential.
Now Sunnyside Reservoir has a new role. It acts as a settlement lagoon. Washwater from the treatment works flows here. Then it is discharged back into the River Thames. This is all managed by Thames Water.
Interestingly a bridge almost changed the landscape near Sunnyside Reservoir. In 2002 there was a proposal. Cyclists and pedestrians could cross the river. This bridge would be adjacent to the reservoir. However the project was too expensive. It never went forward.
Think about the daily operations here. Thames Water manages the reservoir. The washwater settles in the lagoon. Then the water returns to the Thames. It is a cycle of treatment and release.
Consider the engineering feat. Building Sunnyside Reservoir in 1896 was remarkable. The puddle clay walls have stood the test of time. They still hold millions of litres of water.
Why is Sunnyside Reservoir important? It protects the River Thames. It ensures cleaner water returns to the environment. It also shows London’s long history of water management.
Although a bridge was not built Sunnyside Reservoir remains. It is a testament to engineering. It continues to serve London’s needs.
So the next time you are near Richmond-upon-Thames remember Sunnyside Reservoir. It is a key part of London’s water system. It quietly protects the River Thames. It stands as a piece of London’s history.