18 December 2007
A rusting, clogged piece of engineering history was unearthed today, as part of work to replace Manchester's once-pioneering nineteenth century water pipe network. The original T-junction section where the main water pipe joined Liverpool Road, has found a new home, in the 'Underground Manchester' Gallery of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI).
The Thirlmere reservoir and its aqueduct, which supplied Manchester's vast network of underground pipes was one of the most important engineering achievements of the nineteenth century. Demand for a large supply of clean water became an urgent requirement in Manchester as the population grew from 75,000 people in 1801, to 300,000 in 1850. The T-junction pipe from Liverpool road would have been laid in the 1890s, just after the Thirlmere Reservoir was built to supply Manchester. MOSI will also receive original lead and asbestos piping which formed part of the underground water network.
United Utilities is currently replacing 43 km of cast iron pipes around Manchester with plastic pipes, as part of a two-year, £8m project. In many cases the original pipes have built up corrosion so much on the inside that the actual diameter of the pipe has shrunk to the size of a two pence piece.
Meg McHugh, curator of Community History said: "The building of the Thirlmere reservoir and aqueduct was one of the most significant engineering achievements in the world, so we're delighted to be able to save this important piece of history. These pipes are part of a network which served our growing population for over 100 years, and demonstrates the incredible engineering skill which was used at the time.
"We already have examples of different kinds of sewers that served the city, when they were upgraded in the 1970s and 1980s, but these pipes will complement our existing collection relating to water supply and sanitation. The Museum already has the giant valve from the Thirlmere aqueduct, so these pipes will relate directly to this important story of how Manchester tackled growing demand for water in the city."
United Utilities water network manager Andy Lee said: "These pipes have done a great job over the past 100 years but our task now is to provide the city with a water network fit for the 21st century and beyond.
"The replacement scheme is a mammoth task but it will bring long term benefits to businesses and the community.
"Our Victorian ancestors would be amazed at the way we are replacing their system. In most cases we're simply slipping new plastic piping into the old cast iron pipes which minimises disruption because we don't have to dig trenches to lay new pipes.
"All we need to do is dig access holes through which the plastic pipe is threaded.- but of course we are saving just a little bit of the old for posterity!"
For further information please contact Helen Wilson in the United Utilities press office on 01925 237 088.