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Story: Sewage, water and waste

Western Springs pumping station, 1890s

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Western Springs pumping station, 1890s

In the 1890s the Auckland City Council pumping station (left) at Western Springs provided drinking water for the city. Supplying clean water was a challenge in cities that had no sewerage systems, as seepage from cesspits and drains polluted wells and streams.

Using this item

Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau

Reference: 7-A5596

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Christine Dann, Sewage, water and waste – Dirt and disease, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/24427/western-springs-pumping-station-1890s (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Christine Dann, published 12 April 2010.