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62
In the year 1887 the water supply of the "Croydon Area," was
augmented by the Addington Well, which is situated at Hares Hank,
half a mile south of Addington village. This well is in an area of
uncovered chalk, has a diameter of 10 feet and is sunk to a depth of
200 feet, headings having been driven in three directions at a level
of 142 feet from the surface. From the Addington well the water
is pumped to the Mental Hospital and to the Addington Reservoirs
for the supply of the higher portions of the Borough.
In the year 1897-8 application for a loan was made to the
Local Government Board for permission to sink and equip another
well near Waddon. A local enquiry was held and much evidence
was given for and against the proposed scheme. Finally the Local
Government Board declined to sanction a loan.
It was understood that this refusal was based on the fact that
the site of the proposed well was in an area of uncovered chalk
that might some day be built over and that there was also a
possibility that fissures might extend from Purley and Caterham
to Waddon.
In view, however, of the importance of getting more water, it
was decided to make boreholes at the Waddon site, and to establish
temporary pumping machinery pending the adoption of a more
complete scheme.
It was also decided to endeavour to obtain water by sinking a
well at Stroud Green Road, where the chalk is overlaid by impervious
beds of London clay and other tertiary strata, to a depth of
140 feet from the surface, and therefore not open to the objection
raised by the Local Government Board. These works were carried
on until July, 1905, the well being sunk to a depth of 391 feet,
passing through chalk and flint, and was bored to a further depth of
146 feet, making a total depth of 537 feet. Headings have been
driven at 230 feet for 2,827 feet 6 inches, and also at 365 feet from
the surface for 1,395 feet. Both upward and downward boreholes
have been made in both sets of headings.
The yield of water from this well is about 700,000 gallons per
day, which was made available during the summer of 1905 bv
means of temporary plant. At the present moment permanent
piachinery is being prepared for the equipment of this well.