| From an unidentified source:
Bedford Rd Reservoir, Rushden
The land upon which the reservoir was built was acquired on the 26th February 1903 by the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board.
The construction of the reservoir is of white ceramic faced brick construction with vaulted ceiling and is supported by cast iron pillars. The overflow pipework is dated with the construction date of 1903. The reservoir is still in use and gives active service today. The reservoir has a capacity of 850,000 gallons when full.
The reservoir was originally fed by a local treatment works in Rushden which closed many years ago. It is now fed by Grafham Water Treatment Works. Since construction a water tower has also been built on the site to feed the higher parts of Rushden.
When it was more or less complete a fire broke out at the garage opposite, so the Fire Brigade turned on the water with a good force, but after a very short time it became a trickle!! What was wrong? A workman’s jacket had been sucked in and brought the water supply to a halt.
The grass on the top of the reservoir is managed to encourage the growth of rare species of wild flowers which thrive there.
[the garage was Hanson's - now home to Stable Hire, 2024]
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