ILKLEY owes much of its success as a health
resort to the unrivalled purity of its water supply. The
reservoirs are four in number:
1. Weary Hill, 1000 feet above sea level, capacity 40,000
gallons.
2. Hill Top, 600 feet, capacity 160,000 gallons.
3. Old Reservoir, 500 feet, capacity 75,000 gallons.
4. Wells Tank, about 400 feet, capacity 25,000 gallons.
The estimated daily supply from the springs already impounded is
300,000 gallons, or 30 gallons per head for a population of
10,000. The principal springs yield in summer 141,926 gallons,
and in winter 399,400 gallons, in twenty-four hours; the
far-famed Ilkley Wells Spring heading the list with a summer
yield of 39,660 gallons, and a winter yield of 110,800 gallons,
in twenty-four hours.
The relative degrees of hardness of the follolving springs,
according to Dr. Clark's method, gave the subjoined results when
tested:
I. Ilkley Wells, 7.
II. Barmishaw, 6.
III. Willy Hall's Spout, 4.25.
IV. Springs flowing into Craig Tarn, 4.75.
V. Springs flowing from Graining's Head, 2.75.
VI. Backstone Beck, 2.
The chemical analysis of the llkley Wells and Barmishaw Springs
is as under:-
Ilkley Lesser Greater
Wells Barmishaw Barmishaw
| Compound | Ilkley Wells | Lesser Barmishaw | Greater Barmishaw |
| Sulphate of Soda | 2.939 | 2.824 | 2.204 |
| Sulphate of Lime | - | 0.621 | - |
| Chloride of Calcium | 0.572 | 1.145 | 1.670 |
| Carbonate of Lime | 2.185 | 2.248 | |
| Free Carbonic Acid | 6.581 | 6.705 | 2.862 |
| Silica | 1.200 | - | - |
| Chloride of Magnesium | - | 0.221 | - |
| Chloride of Sodium | 0.501 | - | 1.186 |
| Solid Matter | 10.796 | 5.500 | 7.308 |
The analysis of the Chalybeate Spring (see page
18) in Heber's Ghyll is as follows:-
Sanitary Analysis
Total Solid Matter 5.4
Organic and Volatile Matte 2.0
Chlorine 0.6
Nitrites and Nitrates none
Free Ammonia ` 0.0028
Albumenoid Ammonia 0.0084
Chemical Analysis
Carbonate of Iron (ferrous carbonate) 1.3
Calcium Sulphates 1.1
Alkaline Chlorides 1.0
Saline Matter 3.4
Organic and Volatile Matter 2.0
Total Solids 5.4
It is hoped that an arrangement will shortly be made with the
Lord of the Manor for the better protection of the above valuable
spring.
The Ilkley Waterworks, which were previously in the possession of
a private company, were purchased by the Local Board, on behalf
of the inhabitants, in 1871.
(from The Sixpenny Ilkley Guide Book)