In the 1850s and 1870s there were serious outbreaks of smallpox and cholera in Sleaford, which medical authorities blamed directly on the state of the water supplies in the town centre. As a result, the Sleaford Water Company was formed in 1879 to provide the town with clean piped water. Springs in this part of Quarrington Fen were used to supply the water, as they were believed to be well away from the contaminated areas. Water was treated in the waterworks complex to the north (see PRN 64908), and was stored in this location, before being distributed to the town. A water tower was constructed on the reservoir site in the early 20th century, to aid delivery to the town. The tower was constructed to the designs of engineer W.B. Marsden, and has a capacity of 27000 gallons. The waterworks site was cleared in the late 20th century, although the reservoir site is still operational. {1}{2}{3}