Monument record MDO47079 - Alderney Water Treatment Works, Bournemouth

Waterworks for Bournemouth Gas and Water Company, built around 1886. The water treatment plant, a reservoir and two filter beds based on an extensive deposit of water-bearing gravel near Longham village. In the 1920s, the gravel beds at Longham were abandoned as a source, with water being sourced fron the River Stour instead, which entailed a new reservoir and sand filter at Alderney. Water filtration and storage increased in the 1930s, including a reinforced concrete reservoir. A sixth reservoir was added in 1952. In 1956, water treatment by chloramine started. In 1980, a circular 7 million-gallon treated water reservoir was built, with 3 new filter beds, with repairs to the Nuber2 Reservoir and its filter beds.

English Heritage, 2000, Monuments Protection Programme, Step 3 Report: The Water and Sewage Industry, Dorset 5 (Unpublished document). SDO18671.

‘Waterworks for Bournemouth Gas and Water Company, c. 1886. No access given to site, assessment is based on published information supplied by Company. Company leased an area of land at Alderney c. 1886 on which to put a water treatment plant, a reservoir and two filters based on an extensive deposit of water bearing gravel near Longham village. In the 1920s the gravel beds at Longham were abandoned as a source, with water instead sourced from he nearby river Stour, this entailed a new reservoir and sand filter at Alderney. Water filtration and storage increased in the 1930s, including a reinforced concrete reservoir (no.5). In 1952, a sixth reservoir with 4 filters were constructed with a modern administration building, stores and workshops. In 1956 water treatment by chloramine started. In 1980 a circular 7 million-gallon treated water reservoir was built, with 3 new filter beds, with repairs to No.2 reservoir and its filter beds. The site also includes a sports field, 1950, pavilion added 1954.’

<1> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1463569 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2025 3:03PM