186 FORESTS, WOODS, AND TREES 
Bacup obtains its water supply from two gathering 
grounds: (1) Cowpe reservoir, on Cowpe Brook, with a 
catchment area of 593 acres, between 1020 and 1400 feet 
elevation, of which 500 acres are owned by the Town 
Council. These 500 acres are made up of 458 acres of 
moorland, 13 acres of ploughed land, 26 acres of meadow, 
and 4 acres of plantations. A wall has been built to keep 
cattle off the gathering ground, on which there are occupied 
farmsteads and dwelling-houses. (2) Sheephouses reservoir, 
with a gathering ground of 150 acres, of which the Town 
Council own only the water rights. The water of both 
reservoirs is filtered. 
Rochdale obtains its water supply from four gathering 
grounds as follows: 
1. Whitworth area (Cowm reservoir), 964 acres, at 816 
to 1450 feet elevation. 
2. Norden and Whitworth area (Spring Mill reservoir), 
558 acres, between 771 and 1450 feet elevation. 
3. Wardle and Whitworth area (Syke reservoirs), 497 
acres, between 787 and 1300 feet elevation. 
4. Walsden area (Walsden reservoir), 400 acres, between 
987 and 1425 feet elevation. 
The total area, 2419 acres, is all hill pasture and moor, 
except 7 acres of plantations. The Corporation own the 
site of the Cowm reservoir, 78 acres of the Norden area, 
and 320 acres of the Walsden area. There are 20 sheep 
farms and cottages on the Whitworth, Norden, and Wardle 
areas. The water is filtered and regularly analysed. The 
gathering grounds are frequently inspected, and water of a 
doubtful character is diverted. The sewage of the farms . 
and cottages is dealt with by pail closets and watertight 
cesspools. 
A new gathering ground at Walsden in connection with 
the intended Ramsden lower reservoir is estimated at 350 
acres, between 783 and 1250 feet elevation. Of this, 113 
acres, all hill pasture and moor, except 4 acres of planta- 
tions, are owned by the Corporation. There are 3 habitations 
eo 
