DEVELOPMENT
cistern to supply the stand-pipes placed within reach of the houses at Vochriw, the Committee recommended that the question of charging water rents be deferred. It was also affirmed that the water supply from the standpipes was pure and wholesome. The standpipes were located at Williams Row and adjacent to the School House by the railway station. It is assumed that the water originated at the colliery.
During January 1880 a report was received from the Merthyr Board of Health Surveyor which stated that it was not possible to furnish a water supply by gravitation to any part of the village, since the highest point at the Neuadd Reservoir in the Brecon Beacons, from which a supply of water could be given, was 1208 feet and in order to get to Fochriw altitudes of 1290 feet at the road opposite the Tunnel Pits, 1246 feet at the Dowlais Company’s railway near the old tunnel under the said road, and 1353 feet at Pentwyn, would have to be overcome, and, as a fall of at least 20 feet would be required to supply the village, a tunnel of considerable length and depth under Senghenydd Mountain would be necessary, and then only the lowest parts of the village would be able to be supplied. The provision of a pumped supply was considered, the length of mains from the pumping station being estimated as a mile and a half.
It then transpired that, during April 1880, the Gelligaer Parochial Committee recommended to the Sanitary Authority the adoption of the plan laid before them by the Surveyor for the supply of water from the springs at Penybank to Pentwyn and Vochriw using 2 inch galvanised tubing. The Surveyor presented a plan for the conveyance of water to Vochriw at a cost of £525. However, until permission was obtained from the Marquis of Bute for access to the land no progress could be made, the comment being made that “Big people could not be hurried”
During January 1880 a report was received from the Merthyr Board of Health Surveyor which stated that it was not possible to furnish a water supply by gravitation to any part of the village, since the highest point at the Neuadd Reservoir in the Brecon Beacons, from which a supply of water could be given, was 1208 feet and in order to get to Fochriw altitudes of 1290 feet at the road opposite the Tunnel Pits, 1246 feet at the Dowlais Company’s railway near the old tunnel under the said road, and 1353 feet at Pentwyn, would have to be overcome, and, as a fall of at least 20 feet would be required to supply the village, a tunnel of considerable length and depth under Senghenydd Mountain would be necessary, and then only the lowest parts of the village would be able to be supplied. The provision of a pumped supply was considered, the length of mains from the pumping station being estimated as a mile and a half.
It then transpired that, during April 1880, the Gelligaer Parochial Committee recommended to the Sanitary Authority the adoption of the plan laid before them by the Surveyor for the supply of water from the springs at Penybank to Pentwyn and Vochriw using 2 inch galvanised tubing. The Surveyor presented a plan for the conveyance of water to Vochriw at a cost of £525. However, until permission was obtained from the Marquis of Bute for access to the land no progress could be made, the comment being made that “Big people could not be hurried”
During October 1880 the Chairman said that he had been negotiating with the Dowlais Company and with Mr Lewis on behalf of the Marquis of Bute. Both parties had agreed to accept the three years notice with respect to the land, and with this modification, he (the chairman) had told them that the authority would take the land required for 99 years at £1 per annum, subject to three years notice. The chances were, also, that neither would want the land again.
The 1881 census advises a population at Fochriw as 875 and at Pentwyn 225
Specifications for the work were completed in February 1881 at a cost of ten guinea and it was determined that way-leaves were required from other landowners including “commoners”. Commoners were those who were entitled to grazing rights on Gellygaer Common and numbered about 15 and it was agreed that a meeting be held with them to discuss the Works and to obtain their consent since a precedent had already been established at Tirphil where the Commoners were paid as compensation for the loss of grazing. During the following month it was ordered that mains be at once laid for the service of all the houses which could be served by gravitation, and that a supply of water to the houses and cattle of Ty Mawr and Penybank farms should be ensured and that plans of the work be submitted for approval to the Local Government Board. The estimated cost of the pipes was advised as £175, the contractor being Joseph Gould of Newport.
The water from the springs was admitted into the tank in July 1881 and the flow of water was perfect at the highest point at Vochriw proper with 3,598 yards of piping being laid.
Location of the water tank - Google Earth link
In August 1881 Mr John Jones, Hengoed, be appointed collector of water rates in Fochriw at a minimum salary of £5 per annum, but at a commission of 5% if the amount collected exceeded £100 per annum. Mr
The water from the springs was admitted into the tank in July 1881 and the flow of water was perfect at the highest point at Vochriw proper with 3,598 yards of piping being laid.
Location of the water tank -
In August 1881 Mr John Jones, Hengoed, be appointed collector of water rates in Fochriw at a minimum salary of £5 per annum, but at a commission of 5% if the amount collected exceeded £100 per annum. Mr