1832 Preston Waterworks Company is founded

Aerial photograph of the Yard Works, showing the three reservoirs built by the Horrockses company

In 1832 the Preston Waterworks Company was formed to build reservoirs. These reservoirs would supply water to Preston's industries and growing population.

In the early 1800s clean drinking water was in short supply. People got their water from streams and public pumps. Water supplies were easily polluted and many people died of diseases like cholera. The new reservoirs supplied clean water to the pumps. However, water was still in short supply because of the growing population. As a result bottled mineral water became very popular. More reservoirs were built at Longridge and, later in the 19th century, at Stocks, 20 miles north-east of Preston. Horrockses of Preston built their own reservoirs at the Yard Works to supply the water needed in the factories and engine houses. The water that filled them was drained from the surrounding area. Gradually clean water supplies improved.