John was fascinated by Mittagong’s first concrete water reservoir, built in 1908 but which collapsed shortly before its official opening. The dramatic story is presented here, based on his writings.

In the early 1900s with the growth of Mittagong’s industry and population, there was a need to upgrade to a reticulated water supply. 

While most households relied on rainwater tanks, the railway’s water requirements for locomotives since 1867 had been supplied by a dam built on Nattai River (where the Mittagong Swimming Pool is now located). From 1883 the Fresh Food & Ice Company’s butter and milk factory also drew water from the Nattai further upstream.

The Mittagong Maltings was constructed in 1899, and to cater for its need of water for germinating barley grain, another dam was constructed on the Nattai beside the Maltings’ buildings.

Although it is called Nattai River, in places it is little more than a creek and was a constant worry to the industries depending on it. The severe drought of 1901-1902 saw them battling to survive on shrinking water reserves. Approaches were made to Mittagong Council by those concerned, with regard to providing reticulated water, pointing out their usage would help offset the cost.

Work started in 1908 on a 7 million gallon dam in Baker’s Creek gully, two miles west of Mittagong, and also on the building of a 200,000 gallon concrete pressure reservoir on top of Welby Hill (then called Fitzroy). The two were to be connected by a pipe and a steam-driven pump to lift the water for filling the reservoir. From it, the water would flow by gravity into the newly constructed town mains to supply water under pressure to residents.

By early January 1909 the project was nearing completion. On January 15 a meeting was held, with Mittagong Mayor John Mealing presiding, to plan celebrations for ‘turning on’ the waterworks.

Invitations to attend were issued to the following: the NSW Governor (Admiral Sir Harry Rawson), NSW Premier, local member William McCourt, Minister for Works, Railways Commissioner, contractors Sir Lucas Tooth and Mr Galbraith, local Shire Presidents and Mayors of Bowral and Moss Vale, and representatives of the metropolitan and local press.

Then, on Friday, January 22, just four days prior to the official celebration, at about 4.40pm, the concrete reservoir on Fitzroy Hill collapsed, spilling its huge contents of water down the hill. It collapsed about seven feet from its base and the top wall fell inwards. At the time, approximately 30 feet of water was impounded.

The Public Works Department engineer, Mr Stevenson, on making a regular inspection before leaving work that day, could see nothing but rushing water and lumps of concrete interlaced with reinforcing bar being hurled up to 100 feet from the wall. 

The Robertson Advocate described Fitzroy Hill as conical, “thus allowing the water to escape in all directions, and fortunately the residents in the locality escaped without injury. Those who heard the noise of the occurrence state that it resembled the rumbling of thunder”. 

The destruction was inspected by Public Works officers, the mayor and aldermen, who were all astounded. The turning-on ceremony had to be cancelled. 

The incident was an embarrassment and a costly setback for the town, but had it happened four days later during the official ceremony which was to be held at the reservoir wall, few, if any, of the crowd would have escaped death or injury.

Subsequent investigations revealed that all material used was of first-class quality. The failure was attributed to the admission of water too soon after the reservoir’s construction, and before the adhesion of the cement had fully developed.

As an interim measure, the council pumped water directly into the mains using a steam piston pump to maintain water to the users. 

Within 12 months a replacement reservoir was functional and the reticulated supply made available to all residents. The official ‘turning on’ ceremony was very low-key.