The reservoirs were adjacent to the River Thames on the south side on the reach above Molesey Lock.

Both companies had previously built their reservoirs nearby at Seething Wells in Surbiton, but they sucked up too much mud with the water because of turbulence caused by the River Mole, River Ember and The Rythe.

They had pumping stations at Molesey to lift the water from the Thames into the reservoirs and there were concrete wharves on the river bank at which to unload coal to power the steam engines.

Only the wharves remain by the riverside, being used for overnight mooring of pleasure cruisers.

The land was then used for the extraction of aggregates, and after the work is complete, it will be converted into a wetland reserve.