Originally residents relied on rainwater or wells for their water supply.
Sherry Morris’s book “Wagga Wagga – A History” tells us that although construction of waterworks was discussed by City Aldermen from the early 1870’s the cost was considered prohibitive.
Eventually by 1885 a pumping station by the river and a 900,000 gallon reservoir on Willans Hill had been constructed.
Wagga Water works about 1910 from the Anthony Brunskill Album at the Museum of the Riverina.
In 1890 George R Chappell was appointed the mechanical engineer in charge.
In the early 1900’s a well was sunk in an unsuccessful attempt to provide a purer water supply.
On the 1st July 1945 the City of Wagga Wagga was added to the Southern Riverina County Council (SRCC) which had been formed originally in 1938 to service Lockhart, Culcairn, Mitchell and Kyeamba Shires.
“Life Lines” is a book recording the history of the SRCC on the occasion of its Golden Anniversary. It was written by Nigel Ross who together with members of his family served as representatives on the Council for most of its existence to that time.
