Water before 1934

Harry Floyd Tells Rosemary Mortham about Water before the Mains.

COLLECTING RAINWATER

Before the installation of mains water, most houses were supplied with water from tanks, which collected rainwater from the roof.   People used a bucket to collect what they needed for use in the house; but in a few house, such as Hillcrest” in Goodacres Lane,(then owned by Harry’s grandfather, William Saunders, later converted into flats), water was hand-pumped to a tank in the loft from where it was piped down to the taps.   Other houses had hand pumps either in the kitchen or just outside the back door to supply their needs.

"SUICIDE" TANKS The tanks were usually about ten to fifteen feet deep and about eight to ten feet across.   Most were underground with a lid to allow access to the water.   Jumping into these tanks was one way of committing suicide.   It was impossible to climb out.   In times of severe drought the tanks would run dry.

DEW PONDS COULD BE "NUTRITIOUS" The only other water was from the numerous “dew ponds” around the village.  The one in Kiln Lane, which was known as “Deep Pit”, was used for human consumption only, as was the one situated next to Well Cottage in Church Lane.   Such ponds were known as “keech ponds” and were surrounded by a fence to keep animals out.   Frank Claydon could remember lime being added to these ponds to “purify” the water, which, nevertheless, often contained the odd insect or tadpole which was said to make it more nutritious.

ONE TRUE WELL The only true well in Lacey Green was at Grymsdyke House, then owned by the Carters.    It was said to be dug over three hundred feet deep. The water from this well was pumped by electricity into the house.