Worthington Lakes

They were constructed in the early 1860s to provide the clean water required by the rapidly growing town of Wigan.

The lakes, which are now in the ownership of United Utilities are today part of a 50-acre (20 ha) country park, with a nature reserve and accessible footpaths and used for informal recreation and for angling.

As a result, a civil engineer, Mr. Rawlinson was commissioned by the local Board of Health to inspect and survey the country around Wigan and report on options for a new water supply scheme.

The estimated cost for the works including diverted tunnel, treatment plant, 2 dams, mains and pumping station etc.

The original treatment process was by slow sand filtration, flowing by gravity from the draw-off tower to the filter beds.