Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
- Textual record
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Repository
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1890 - 1943, nd. (Creation)
- Creator
- City of Woodstock - Public Works
- Place
- Woodstock
Physical description area
Physical description
approx. 6 cm of textual records
- includes approx. 100 sewer plans and 19 sewer permit booklets
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Although designated a potential town site in 1798, Woodstock was not settled until 1800 and it was not until 1851 that it was established as a town. In 1901, Woodstock was established as a city.
Originally the Woodstock Council’s Committee on Public Works, along with the City Engineer, was responsible for the construction and maintenance of drainage sewers within the town boundaries. Early sewer systems were built of timber, often being bored out logs that were laid underground. Unfortunately such systems of pipes were problematic as the timber was likely to sag and water could become foul and infested with insects. Moreover, as the town’s population continued to increase the current timber system was seen as objectionable to handle the increase of waste from the water closets draining into the sewers. Because of this the timber sewer systems were replaced by circular brick sewers which could handle the removal of surface water and the increase of household waste as well as the introduction of a domestic water supply in the 1880s. These systems of sewers would drain into the River Thames, Cedar Creek and closed ponds belonging either to the town itself or private factories. However, by the early 1900s treatment facilities were operational in Woodstock and were operated by what was eventually known as the Woodstock Public Utilities Commission.
Presently, maintenance of the sanitary and storm sewer collection system is the responsibility of the City’s Public Works Department. As of 2012, the sanitary sewer system consists of approximately 165 km of sanitary sewers ranging in size from 6" diameter to 42" diameter with approximately 13,000 units connected to the system. The storm sewer system consists of approximately 100 km of storm sewers ranging in size from 6" diameter to 96" diameter and approximately 2,900 catch basins. These systems are no longer made of timber or brick, but are designed using reinforced concrete, metal and plastic materials. In addition, the City of Woodstock is serviced by one Water Pollution Control Plant which provides both primary and secondary sewage treatment with efficient affluent discharges to the Thames River, which must meet M.O.E.E. guidelines for water quality.
Custodial history
The records were created by the City of Woodstock. These records were donated to the Woodstock Museum and later transferred to the County of Oxford Archives in February 2012.
Scope and content
The fonds consist of letters and reports re. sewer work, drainage, estimates, calculations, sewage effluents from factories, etc (1890-1910, nd.); approx. 100 sewer plans/drawings (1899-1917); and 19 sewer permit booklets (1903-1943). Most of the letters and reports are written to the Mayor and County Council from the City Engineer, though some of the correspondence is with the Chief Health Officer of Ontario.
Notes area
Physical condition
The materials in this collection are in good condition.
Immediate source of acquisition
The fonds was acquired in February 2012 by the County of Oxford Archives from the Woodstock Museum.
Arrangement
Language of material
- Canadian English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
The fonds is open to publish research. However, please contact the archivist responsible for the records regarding access, as some materials may be too fragile to handle. The Archives will make every effort to supply reference copies where feasible.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Copyright is held by the archives. Researchers are responsible for observing copyright regulations that may apply to the publication of their research. If you wish to publish any of this material, please contact the archivist responsible for the records.
The Archivist has the right to restrict reproduction if the material is in a fragile condition.
Finding aids
An item level description is available for researchers.
Associated materials
RG2 - County of Oxford fonds
- Series 4: Clerk
- Series 18 Public Works
Accruals
No further accruals are expected
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Davis, William Malhon (Subject)
- Ure, F.J. (Subject)