Double Bay Compressed Air Ejector Station, Heritage sewerage pumping station in Double Bay, Australia
The Double Bay Compressed Air Ejector Station is a heritage sewerage pumping facility built with steel caisson technology to collect and transport sewage from lower elevations. The system used compressed air and specialized valves to move wastewater through pressurized chambers to higher areas.
Built between 1895 and 1896, this was Sydney's first low-level sewage pumping station, designed to solve growing pollution in the harbor. It handled wastewater from areas that could not drain naturally by gravity, marking a turning point in the city's sanitation infrastructure.
The station stands as a testament to late 19th-century engineering solutions that transformed public health practices in New South Wales urban development.
The station is located on Jamberoo Lane next to 63 William Street and remains accessible to researchers and history enthusiasts. Visitors should check in advance about any access requirements, as this is a protected heritage site.
The facility was built using components from two local manufacturers: Pope Maher and Company Sydney and Shone and Aults Patent valves. This combination of local engineering expertise showed how Victorian-era technical innovation tackled urban sanitation challenges.
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