Crown Street Reservoir
The Crown Street Reservoir is a significant example of reservoir engineering. It is an inground reservoir constructed of brick walls and with earth covered, brick jack-arched roof structure supported on timber columns. Almost all the original fabric remains. It has been in continual use since completion in 1859. It continues to provide clean safe drinking water to the people of Sydney. It is the oldest operating reservoir in NSW and the oldest reservoir of its type in Australia.
The Crown Street Reservoir was designed by the prominent late-19th century City Engineer Edward Bell with influences of his predecessor W B Rider.
Originally, this reservoir received its water from the Botany Swamps, Sydney’s third water supply source. Following the completion of Sydney’s fourth water supply scheme, the Upper Nepean Scheme in 1888, it received its water via Prospect Reservoir. Today it continues to receive its water from the Upper Nepean dams but with the bulk of the water supplied from the large Warragamba Dam (1960), with all the water passing through the Prospect Filtration Plant.
The Crown Street Reservoir was built by the City (Sydney) Council and pre-dates the formation in 1888 of the Water Board, todays Sydney Water.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage National Marker (EHNM) |
| Award Date | April 2019 |
| Heritage Significance | Crown Street is the oldest operating reservoir in NSW and the oldest reservoir of its type in Australia. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet | Not Available |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel | None Installed. |
