Topics > Organisations > Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company (1845 - 1974)

Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company (1845 - 1974)


Initially called the Whittle Dean Water Company, the company was established in 1845 to supply fresh drinking water to Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. Richard Grainger (builder), Thomas Sopwith (civil engineer), William George Armstrong (industrialist), with the support of the Duke of Northumberland, proposed a plan to build a reservoir at Whittle Dean, about 11 miles west of Newcastle, with the capacity to hold a year's supply of water. This was authorised by an Act of Parliament (8 & 9 Vict. c. lxxi). George Cruddas and Armorer Donkin, along with other local businessmen, were partners in the company, which leveraged hydraulic technologies developed by Armstrong. In 1863, it was renamed the Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company. It became part of the Northumbrian Water Authority in 1974, when UK water companies were nationalised. This was privatised in 1989 and is now Northumbrian Water Ltd.

Whittle Dean Waterworks Act 1845

An Act for supplying the Borough and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the Borough of Gateshead in the County of Durham, and the Neighbourhoods thereof, with Water, from Whittle Dean in the Parish of Ovingham, and other Places in Northumberland.

Whittle Dean Waterworks Act 1854

An Act for enabling the Whittle Dean Water Company to extend their Works, and to obtain a further Supply of Water from certain Rivers and Streams in the County of Northumberland, in order to afford a better Supply of Water to the Inhabitants of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, and other Places in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham; and for consolidating and amending the Acts relating to such Company.

Organisations George Cruddas (1788-1879) Richard Grainger (1797–1861) Catcleugh Reservoir Superintendant's House, Whittle Dene Reservoir Lord William Armstrong (1810-1900) Thomas Sopwith (1803 - 1879) Former Valve House, Throckley Filters
Superintendant's House, Whittle Dene Reservoir
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Superintendant's House, Whittle Dene Reservoir
- Overview Map Street View This house by Whittle Dene Resevoirs was built in 1848 by John Dobson for the Newcastle and Gateshead Water Co. The former Superintendant's house is Grade …
Former Valve House, Throckley Filters
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Former Valve House, Throckley Filters
- Overview Map Street View This former Valve House in Throckley, now a storage building, was built c.1870 for the Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company. It was part of the water …
George Cruddas (1788-1879)
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George Cruddas (1788-1879)
- George Cruddas, born in County Durham in 1788, is best known for joining William Armstrong in establishing the famous Elswick Works, in which he continued to be a partner up …
Richard Grainger (1797–1861)
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Richard Grainger (1797–1861)
- Overview About Richard Grainger Richard Grainger (1797–1861) was a builder in Newcastle upon Tyne. He worked together with the architects John Dobson and Thomas Oliver, and with the town clerk, …
Lord William Armstrong (1810-1900)
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Lord William Armstrong (1810-1900)
- Overview About William Armstrong William George Armstrong was born on 26th November 1810, in Shieldfield, Newcastle. He became a prominent engineer and industrialist who founded the Armstrong Whitworth company, producing armaments which …
Thomas Sopwith (1803 - 1879)
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Thomas Sopwith (1803 - 1879)
- Thomas Sopwith was a noted surveyor, civil engineer and geologist. Born in Newcastle in 1803.
Catcleugh Reservoir
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Catcleugh Reservoir
- Overview Map Street View Catcleugh Reservoir is located by the A68 road at Catcleugh, about 40 miles north-west of Newcastle. The reservoir was constructed between 1884 and 1905 for the …

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