Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume III

198 ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WORLD. THREE SETS OF MARINE TYPE TRIPLE-EXPANSION PUMPING ENGINES OF 550 HORSE-POWER EACH. (Photo, Topical.) The largest reservoirs yet constructed are the two at Staines. They have an area of Staines Reservoirs. 424 acres — about two-thirds of a square mile, and contain when full 3,338,000/000 gallons. The water is impounded by large banks of earth faced on the inner slopes with concrete blocks to with- stand the action of the very considerable waves which arise when a high wind prevails. Far larger than either of the Staines reservoirs will be that now K,Ch’nsr,ord. New Reservoir. in course of construction near Chingford, to serve the Eastern and New River Districts. Its capacity will be approximately 3,000,000,000 gallons— equivalent to thirteen days’ supply for the whole Metropolitan Water Board area—its surface 416 acres, and its greatest depth 34 feet. The first sod was through filter beds to pumps which deliver it to the high-level service reservoirs. In the London area there are 1,497 acres of subsiding and storage reservoirs for unfil- tered water, 59| acres of service reservoirs, and 164 acres of filter beds. To move the water, 265 engines, consuming annually nearly 160,000 tons of coal, and developing an aggre- gate of 38,361 J horse-power, are used. cut by Mr. E. B. Barnard, M.P., the present Chairman of the Board, on April 11, 1908. The contract for the work was awarded to Messrs. Charles Wall, Limited. The formation of the reservoir has neces- sitated the diversion of the Lee, which now flows round the eastern end of the site. A new channel, 3 miles long, 55 feet wide, and almost straight, is being cut; also an intake