Posted by Owen Roberts on September 17, 2006 at 23:25:07 from 195.92.67.75 user OwenRoberts.
In Reply to: Re: Beckfoot water supply posted by Alan Hakim on September 17, 2006 at 17:26:15:
Until recently, I used to visit the country house of a now deceased friend in Hertfordshire.
The water supply came from their own well under the house directly into the scullery. In the scullery there was a further hand pump to force the water up to a loft tank. This then fed both the hot and cold water system.
Drinking water was taken by jug from the scullery to wherever it was needed.
In the 1950's electric pumps were installed, but the old manual pumps were retained on standby in case of electricity failure. This was useful in the days of the 3 day week in the 1970's.
I would imagine this system was common in reasonably well off houses.