Page 6 - City of Cessnock Water Supply and Sewerage Service Utility

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The acting Secretary was Mr. James Johnston. The first meeting was held
on 11th July, 1892, at the Marine Board Office, Customs House, Newcastle. This
meeting appointed the first Board Secretary in Mr. E.A. Fry, a man who gave long
and true service from 1st August, 1892 to the 31st May, 1934.

The pipeline between Walcha and Newcastle was duplicated by the end of

1897.

By the turn of the century, coal developers had ventured westwards to the
great South Maitland Coal-Fields. Colliers were promoted at East Greta, Heddon
Greta and Stanford. Greta (this last area to later become Stanford Merthyr and
Pelaw Main Collieries). One of the first requisites at these collieries was the
construction of a large local dam at each colliery to meet each colliery's water
requirments. In the main, large steam boilers at each colliery provided the
motive power at each pit. Not only was steam used for surface and underground
haulage, but also at some points to operate many huge underground pumps. Later
again, colliery water and their produced steam was used to drive turbines to
generate electricity. Such generated electric power provided lighting for both
surface and underground and progressively took over the power for haulage motors,
working pumps. etc.

Many of the early miners' cottages and 'humpys' also utilised tanks to
catch rain water for drinking and domestic purposes.

Pressure from both the collieries' administration management and the
mining population sought a permanent water supply for the South Maitland coalfield.
The 1902 Water Board Annual Report indicate that irvestigations were being pursued
for an extension of the water supply to East Greta, Heddon Greta, Stanford Merthyr,
Pelaw Main and Kurri. Finally in early 1903, because of the exploration of the
South Maitland Coal-Field having assumed a very active ~tage, an approved scheme
was set up by the Hunter District Water Board. This comprised the laying of an
eight-inch cast-iron trunk main across the swamps from Buttai Reservoir to Heddon
Greta. Thence a six-inch pipe line along the main road to Kurri Kurri; with
branch pipes to Stanford Methyr and back from Heddon Greta to East Greta; and
reticulation pipes in streets, where dwelling had been erected. Pipe-laying
was commenced on 16th September, 1903 and was completed with water available at
Kurri in December, 1903.