Hampton Water Treatment Works

A water treatment works in Hampton, London

51°24′45″N 0°22′17″W﻿ / ﻿51.412569°N 0.371447°W﻿ / 51.412569; -0.371447

Hampton Water Treatment Works buildings alongside the A308

Hampton Water Treatment Works are water treatment works located on the River Thames in Hampton, London. Built in the second half of the 19th century to supply London with fresh water, the waterworks was in the past a significant local employer, and its brick Italianate pumphouses dominate the local landscape.[1] The waterworks are currently owned and operated by Thames Water, occupying a 66 ha site located between the Upper Sunbury Road (A308) and the River Thames. The waterworks currently has a maximum output of 700 megalitres a day, and supplies ~30% of London's fresh water.[2]

## History

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### Metropolis Water Act 1852

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Main article: Metropolis Water Act 1852

The Metropolis Water Act 1852 (15 & 16 Vict. c. 84)[3] first introduced regulation of the supply of water to London ("the Metropolis"), including minimum standards of water quality, transport and treatment, official oversight and approval of all new water sources, and the introduction of a complaints process. Passage of the act followed an outbreak of cholera in London in 1849, and official concern regarding the level of effluent discharged into the River Thames, the main source of domestic water for London's residents. The key provision of the Act was to make it unlawful to take domestic water from the tidal Thames and its tributaries below Teddington Lock. London's water companies moved their operations to sites above the lock during the late 1850s and early 1860s.[4]

### Construction (1853–55)

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Construction of waterworks on the north bank of the River Thames near Hampton took place from 1853–55 as a joint venture of the Grand Junction Waterworks Company, the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company, and the West Middlesex Waterworks Company. The original works were designed by Joseph Quick and constructed by John Aird, comprising sand filter beds to remove suspended solids from the river water, and three pump houses, one for each water company. The massive pump houses were constructed in Gault brick to near-identical Italianate design, with large arched windows and decorative balustrades.[1] Each pump house contained a pair of Cornish 'Bull' Engines installed by Harvey & Co.[5][6]

Ordnance Survey map (c1864) showing the original pumphouses and filter beds

Hampton Water Treatment Works 1855

### Expansion (1867–1900)

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In 1867–70, Joseph Quick designed and constructed new works for the Southwark and Vauxhall company on the east side of Lower Sunbury Road. The building comprised two engine houses in the Italianate style linked by a blank-arcaded boiler house, and became known as the Morelands building after the two Moreland and Sons 80-inch beam engines housed in the western engine house. The building was further expanded by J.W. Restler in 1885–86.[7]

The original Grand Junction pump house, known as the Karsdale building, was extended to install a beam engine in 1881–82 by Andrew Frazer. The original Southwark and Vauxhall pump house, which became known as the Ruston building,[7] was also extended in 1881–82 by Restler.[8]

The Riverdale building, constructed for the Southwark and Vauxhall company in 1898–1900 to the east of the Morelands building, comprises a quasi-Elizabethan engine house holding three triple expansion engines fronting Upper Sunbury Road, with a long boiler house with aisles and clerestory set behind to the west. In the parapet of the engine house balcony the barge of the Southwark and Vauxhall company is set in stone.[7]

Moreland building c1886

Riverdale building 1901

Ruston building 1884

The westernmost West Middlesex pump house ultimately became redundant and was demolished in 1948.[citation needed]

### Twentieth century

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Hampton from the air, showing the Waterworks and reservoirs adjacent to the River Thames in top left of picture.

The Stilgoe engine house, designed by A.J. Johnson, was constructed 1935-43 to the west of the site, housing eight steam turbine engines. The Davidson filter house and primary filter beds were constructed 1936-47.[7] With the establishment of filter beds between Belgrade Road and Rose Hill in the early 20th century (drained in the 1990s to become Hampton Green), the Waterworks came to dominate the southern and western sides of Hampton. The various water companies were amalgamated into the Metropolitan Water Board in 1902.[1]

Once complete the Waterworks were among the largest in the world at the time, supplying over 400 megalitres a day and requiring over 100 tons of coal for the pumphouses. Coal was supplied on barges unloaded at Hampton wharf and moved by cart to the Waterworks. Difficulties with this arrangement led to the construction of the Metropolitan Water Board Light Railway in 1915. The Railway connected the wharf to the Waterworks and Kempton Park pumping station. The Railway also continued to a standard gauge railway siding at Sunbury station, which allowed for coal to be delivered via the London and South Western Shepperton branch line when the river was in flood or operators were on strike.[9][10]

Turbine

Evaporator

Machinery hall

Boilerhouse

Interiors of the Waterworks pumphouses (1983)

## Operations

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Map of the Thames Water Ring Main in London, showing connected water treatment works and pumping stations.

In addition to water abstracted locally from the Thames the waterworks also receives water from other sources. Water is supplied via the Staines Reservoirs Aqueduct (built 1902) from the King George VI Reservoir (1947) and Staines Reservoirs (1902) which receive their water from the River Thames at Hythe End, just above Bell Weir Lock. The aqueduct passes, and transports water from, the Queen Mary Reservoir (1924) and the Water Treatment Works at Kempton Park, which used to be connected to Hampton via the Metropolitan Water Board Railway. Water was also supplied from the Knight and Bessborough Reservoirs (1907) and the Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir (1962) on the opposite (south) side of the Thames. The Hampton works is also the starting point of the Thames-Lea tunnel (1960) which transfers water to the reservoirs in the Lea Valley.

The waterworks conducts a test of its warning siren (to be used in the event of an unauthorised or accidental release of chlorine or other hazardous material) every Tuesday at approximately 9 a.m. The siren is a former air raid siren dating from the Second World War, and is audible throughout Hampton and Molesey.[11]

The Ruston pumphouse

The Beam and Store buildings

The Morelands building

The Riverdale pumphouse

The main pumphouses of Hampton Waterworks (roughly west to east)

## See also

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* London water supply infrastructure
* Thames Water Ring Main

## References

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1. ^ a b c "HAMPTON VILLAGE DRAFT CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL CONSERVATION AREA NO.12". London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
2. ^ "King of the castle Hampton completes sand bed upgrade". Thames Water. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
3. ^ An Act to make better Provision respecting the Supply of Water to the Metropolis
4. ^ Lewis, Herbert (28 July 1914). Return as to Water Undertakings in England and Wales. Local Government Board (H.C. Monro Secretary). London: HM Stationery Office (Eyre and Spottiswoode). pp. iv–v.
5. ^ Askew, S.D. (29 March 1956). "Letter" (Document). LBRuT Local Studies Library and Archive: MWB Clerk.
6. ^ Cherry, Bridget; Pevsner, Nikolaus (1983). Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget; Nairn, Judy (eds.). London 2: South. The Buildings of England. London: Penguin. pp. 478–479\. ISBN 0140710477.
7. ^ a b c d Cherry, Bridget; Pevsner, Nikolaus (1983). Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget; Nairn, Judy (eds.). London 2: South. The Buildings of England. London: Penguin. pp. 478–479\. ISBN 0140710477.
8. ^ Historic England. "Ruston (Grade II) (1261979)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
9. ^ "History of the Railway". Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
10. ^ Sheaf, John; Howe, Ken (1995). Hampton and Teddington Past. London: Historical Publications. pp. 80–81.
11. ^ Rawes, I.M. "The Sirens of Hampton". London Sound Survey. Retrieved 5 March 2023.

## Further reading

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* Hampton Waterworks, One Hampton

* v
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London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Districts|

* Barnes
* East Sheen
* Fulwell
* Ham
* Hampton
* Hampton Hill
* Hampton Wick
* Kew
* Mortlake
* Petersham
* Richmond
* St Margarets
* Strawberry Hill
* Teddington
* Twickenham
* Whitton

Railway stations|

* Barnes
* Barnes Bridge
* Fulwell
* Hampton
* Hampton Wick
* Kew Gardens
* Mortlake
* North Sheen
* Richmond
* St Margarets
* Strawberry Hill
* Teddington
* Twickenham
* Whitton

Streets and roads|

* A205 (South Circular)
* A307
* A308
* A309
* A316
* Barnes High Street
* Castelnau
* Church Road, Barnes
* George Street
* Kew Green
* Mill Hill
* Mortlake High Street
* Old Palace Lane
* Old Palace Yard
* Queen's Road
* Richmond Green
* The Terrace, Barnes
* Vineyard
* proposed Ringway 2

Walking and cycling routes|

* Barnes Trail
* Beverley Brook Walk
* Capital Ring
* National Cycle Route 4
* Tamsin Trail
* Thames Path

Thames bridges, islands
and river services|

* Bridges
* Ash Island
* Benn's Island
* Brentford Ait
* Corporation Island
* Eel Pie Island
* Glover's Island
* Platt's Eyot
* Swan Island
* Tagg's Island
* Trowlock Island
* Hammerton's Ferry
* Hampton Ferry
* Kew Pier
* Richmond Lock
* Teddington Lifeboat Station
* Teddington Lock
* former Twickenham Ferry

Other rivers and streams|

* Beverley Brook
* River Crane
* Duke of Northumberland's River
* Longford River
* Sudbrook and Latchmere stream
* River Thames

Sports venues|

* Athletic Ground, Richmond
* Barn Elms
* Championship Course
* Cricket
* Golf
* Hampton Pool
* Lensbury
* Pools on the Park
* Royal Tennis Court
* Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre
* Thames Young Mariners
* Twickenham Stadium
* Twickenham Stoop
* former Ranelagh Club
* former Richmond Ice Rink

Events|

* Annual sports events
* Hampton Court Garden Festival
* Hampton Court Palace Festival

Breweries and pubs|

* Britannia
* Bull's Head
* Crown
* Dysart
* Fox
* George
* Hare and Hounds
* Jolly Coopers
* Old Ship
* Park Hotel
* Richmond Brewery Stores
* Sun Inn
* Twickenham Fine Ales
* Watney Combe & Reid
* White Cross
* White Swan

Theatres, cinemas
and music venues|

* The Bull's Head
* Crawdaddy Club
* The Exchange
* Odeon Cinema, Richmond
* Olympic Studios
* Orange Tree Theatre
* OSO Arts Centre
* Puppet Theatre Barge
* Richmond Theatre
* TwickFolk
* Wathen Hall
* former Eel Pie Island Hotel
* former Richmond Theatre (1765–1884)

Film and recording studios|

* Astoria
* Boathouse, Twickenham
* Eel Pie Studios
* Olympic Studios
* Twickenham Studios
* former Teddington Studios

Media and publishing|

* Richmond and Twickenham Times
* former Gaydar Radio
* former Hogarth Press

Public art|

* Public art
* Diana Fountain, Bushy Park
* King's Beasts, Hampton Court Palace
* The Naked Ladies
* Pope's Urn
* The Queen's Beasts

Historical royal palaces|

* Hampton Court Palace
* Hampton Court astronomical clock
* Hampton Court Maze
* Kew Palace
* Richmond Palace

Historic houses|

* 123 Mortlake High Street
* 14 The Terrace, Barnes
* 18 Station Road, Barnes
* 70 Barnes High Street
* Asgill House
* Brinsworth House
* Bushy House
* Cambridge Cottage
* Chapel House
* Clarence House
* Doughty House
* Douglas House
* Downe House
* Garrick's Villa
* Grove House
* Halford House
* Ham House
* Hogarth House
* Homestead
* Hotham House
* Kneller Hall
* Langham House
* Latchmere House
* Lichfield Court
* Marble Hill House
* Montrose House
* Old Court House
* Ormeley Lodge
* Pavilion
* Pembroke Lodge
* Strawberry Hill House
* Stud House
* Sudbrook House and Park
* Thatched House Lodge
* Trumpeters' House
* West Hall
* White Lodge
* The Wick
* Wick House
* Yelverton Lodge
* York House
* former Alcott House
* former Cardigan House
* former Cross Deep House
* former Mount Ararat
* former Pope's villa
* former Radnor House
* former Richmond House
* former Richmond Lodge
* former Twickenham Park

Other places
of interest|

* Barnes power station
* Chapel in the Wood
* East Sheen Filling Station
* Fulwell bus garage
* Garrick's Temple
* Great Pagoda
* Grove Gardens Chapel
* Hampton Water Treatment Works
* Hampton Youth Project
* Harrods Furniture Depository
* Kew Gardens
* Kew Mortuary
* King's Observatory
* Langham House Close
* National Physical Laboratory
* Normansfield Theatre
* Old Town Hall
* Parkleys
* Park Lane Stables
* Pope's Grotto
* Poppy Factory
* Royal Military School of Music
* Royal Star and Garter Home
* St Leonard's Court
* University Boat Race Stones
* Victoria Working Men's Club
* former Admiralty Research Laboratory
* former Camp Griffiss
* former Karsino
* former Mortlake Tapestry Works
* former Richmond Theological College
* former Sheen Priory
* former Star and Garter Hotel

Tragedy and disaster|

* Barnes rail crash
* Murders:
* Barnes child
* Ham bank
* Amélie Delagrange
* Julia Martha Thomas
* Richmond child
* Towpath murders

Other history topics|

* Adana Printing Machines
* GHQ Liaison Regiment
* Hampton Court Conference
* Kew Letters
* Petersham Hole
* Richmond Flyers
* Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Spaces Act
* Treaty of Hampton Court
* Warren-Lambert
* Baronets:
* Ashe
* Cook
* Darell
* Pocock
* Vandeput
* Wigan

Parliamentary constituencies|

* Richmond Park
* Twickenham
* former Richmond and Barnes
* former Richmond (Surrey)

Other topics|

* Almshouses
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Parks, open spaces and nature reserves in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

* v
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Thames Water

History|

* John Backhouse
* Joseph Bazalgette
* Edmund Colthurst
* Great Stink
* London sewer system
* London water supply
* Metropolitan Board of Works
* Metropolitan Water Board
* Hugh Myddelton
* William Chadwell Mylne
* New River Company
* New River
* John Snow
* William Webster
* 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak

Major projects|

* Abingdon Reservoir
* Thames Tideway Scheme, including Thames Tideway Tunnel and Lee Tunnel
* Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works
* Thames Water Ring Main

Infrastructure|

* Abbey Mills Pumping Station
* Beckton Sewage Treatment Works
* Coppermills Water Treatment Works
* Cricklewood Pumping Station
* Crossness Pumping Station
* Crossness Sewage Treatment Works
* Deephams Sewage Treatment Works
* Greenwich pumping station
* Hampton Water Treatment Works
* Mogden Sewage Treatment Works
* Walton water treatment works

Reservoirs|

* Banbury Reservoir
* Bath Road Reservoir
* Bessborough Reservoir
* Chingford Reservoirs
* East Warwick Reservoir
* Farmoor Reservoir
* Grimsbury Reservoir
* High Maynard Reservoir
* Island Barn Reservoir
* Kempton Park Reservoirs
* King George V Reservoir
* King George VI Reservoir
* Knight Reservoir
* Lee Valley Reservoir Chain
* Lockwood Reservoir
* Low Maynard Reservoir
* Molesey Reservoirs
* Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir
* Queen Mary Reservoir
* Queen Mother Reservoir
* Stain Hill Reservoirs
* Staines Reservoirs
* Sunnyside Reservoir
* Tilehurst Water Tower
* Walthamstow Reservoirs
* West Warwick Reservoir
* William Girling Reservoir
* Wraysbury Reservoir

* v
* t
* e

The Hamptons

Districts|

* Hampton
* Hampton Hill
* Hampton Wick
* Hampton Court

Islands|

* Platt's Eyot
* Benn's Island
* Garrick's Ait
* Tagg's Island
* Ash Island

Railway stations|

* Hampton
* Fulwell
* Hampton Court
* Hampton Wick

Places of interest|

* Astoria
* Bushy Park
* Carlisle Park
* Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare
* Garrick's Villa
* Hampton Pool
* Hampton Youth Project
* Hampton Water Treatment Works
* Hampton Court Palace
* St Albans Riverside

Places of worship|

* All Saints (CoE)
* Hampton Methodist Church
* St Francis de Sales (RC)
* St James' (CoE)
* St Mary's (CoE)
* St Theodore's (RC)

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