Lambton Reservoir & Pumping Station

In 1878 work began on the Lower Hunter water supply scheme designed to provide a permanent water supply to Newcastle and its growing suburbs. Water was pumped from the Hunter River at Oakhampton, treated at Walka Waterworks and pumped to a reservoir at Buttai. From Buttai, water would gravitate via a trunk main to Newcastle.
Constructed in 1885, the Lambton reservoir is one of only five remaining of the original covered reservoirs built by the Public Works Department for the Lower Hunter water supply scheme. Technically the reservoir is an excellent example of late 19th century technology and trade skills featuring a brick and concrete, multi-annular arched roof supported by special section cast iron girders and concrete  filled cast iron pipe columns.
Initially the reservoir provided reticulated water for the Lambton and Waratah areas, substantially contributing to the health and well being of Newcastle’s suburban residents. The reservoir was decommissioned in 1990.
The reservoir has a diameter of 20m and a height of 6m with an original capacity of almost 2,000,000 litres. It was built by the contractor J G Galty.
The Lambton reservoir is almost identical to another reservoir at 65 Macquarie Street, Merewether (now in private ownership).