Old Brook Pumping Station

Story

Old Brook Pumping Station, was a water pumping station operating in Chatham, Kent from 1929 until 1980. It now survives as a working museum.HistoryIn the 16th century, due to an earth dam, called the 'Land wall'. The Old River Bourne and its surrounding marshlands were cut off from the River Medway.Between 1575-1610, a tide mill was built on the Brook,close to the River Medway.By 1765, the town of Chatham had increased dramatically and the Brook was now covered by a road. The former marshland was used as area for low-class housing and alleyways. During 1821 and 1823, No.18 The Brook was lived in by Charles Dickens .The old river had been changed into culverts, which with cesspits were used to dispose of waste.In 1801, the population of Chatham was 10,505, then by 1901 it had grown to 36,944. But the current drainage culverts had not been updated and they were beginning to fail and the health of the towns people was dropping. Including bouts of Cholera. Also within the River Medway, fish stocks and oyster beds were also failing, according to court leet papers.In 1852, Edward Gotto was employed to carry out the national General Board of Health Survey for the 'General Board of Health' . The survey highlighted the diseases and poor sanitation in the town. This then prompted work to improve the drainage and sewerage of the town. Including brick built sewers and covered culverts.