VOL. xvii. (3) WATER SUPPLY OF GLOUCESTER 349 



Newent Pumping Station. — The water-supply from 

 Robinswood and Witcombe met all requirements until in 1894, 

 when it became desirable to seek for an additional source of 

 supply, which was found near Newent. In 1895, the Cor- 

 poration obtained Parliamentary sanction (58 Vict. ch. xci.) to 

 construct a well and a pumping-station and other works in the 

 parish of Oxenhall, and a reservoir at Madams Wood in the 

 parish of Newent. 



The rocks in the Newent district are of Triassic age. 



The first boring that was put down by the Corporation 

 was commenced on January 19, 1893, and was carried to a 

 depth of 290 feet, commencing with a 12-inch diameter and 

 finishing with a 9-inch. This boring was continued by the 

 Onslow Trustees down to a depth of 1190 feet from the surface, 

 finishing with a 7-inch diameter. The bottom-piece of this 

 7-inch core is also in the Gloucester Museum. It was hoped 

 that the Coal Measures would be proved ; but this was not the 

 case. 



At 890 feet down, the water was slightly saline, so the 

 bore-hole was filled up with gravel up to within 719 feet of the 

 surface. On the gravel a wooden plug 6 feet long was placed, 

 and on this concrete up to within 453 feet of the surface. 



The Newent Well, which was sunk at a place about 

 50 yards to the west of the bore-hole, was commenced on 

 October 8, 1894. The works were completed and water de- 

 livered to the City on July i, 1896. 



The well is 168 feet deep. The first 60 feet is lined with 

 bricks and has an internal diameter of 12 feet. The next 

 90 feet is lined with cast-iron cylinders and the internal dia- 

 meter is II feet. The cast-iron cylinders are rings, each 

 5 feet deep, made of up three segments bolted together. From 

 the last ring but one, that is, at 145 feet from the surface, two 

 headings, each 6 ft. 6 ins. x 4 ft. 6 ins., are driven — one in 

 a westerly direction 145 feet long, and the other in a north- 

 easterly direction 117 feet long. These headings are not lined. 



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