A landmark of Victorian engineering has been officially recognised for its historic contribution to public health and innovation. Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield has received the Heritage Engineering Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
The award celebrates the site’s vital role in bringing clean water to the Black Country during the industrial era and its enduring legacy as a symbol of engineering excellence.
The presentation took place on 18 October 2025 during a special ceremony attended by more than 70 guests, including local dignitaries and engineering enthusiasts. Among those present were Dave Robertson MP, the Mayor of Lichfield Councillor Claire Pinder-Smith, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Jeremy Cotton, and the Sheriff of Lichfield Reverend Ian Hayter.
Trustees of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust, David Dimeloe and Phil Bowers, opened the event with introductory talks. Matt Garside, President of the IMechE, spoke passionately about the institution’s mission to improve the world through engineering.
John Wood, Chairman of the IMechE Heritage Awards Committee, introduced the award and described the historical and technical importance of the site before inviting Mr Garside to unveil the commemorative plaque.
The Sandfields Pumping Station was the first built for the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company to provide clean water to the industrial towns of the Black Country. The Cornish beam engine, operational from 1873 to 1927, could pump up to 2 million gallons of water per day.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wood remarked, “Sandfields Pumping Station is not just another pumping station,” underlining the extraordinary engineering achievement of delivering water across 18 miles to the Black Country.
The Heritage Awards Committee also commended the long-term sustainability of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust, which continues to maintain and restore the historic site. Its outreach work has inspired a new generation of young people to explore careers in engineering.
Following the formal proceedings, guests enjoyed refreshments and guided tours led by the site’s knowledgeable volunteers.
Sandfields Pumping Station represents an important chapter in the story of public health and industrial progress in the Midlands. Designed by John Robinson McLean, the building opened in 1858 and helped transform living conditions across the region by providing safe drinking water to communities previously affected by cholera. Walsall and Wednesbury received the first supplies in 1858, followed by Darlaston in 1859, and Tipton and West Bromwich in 1860. By 1869, around 20,000 homes were connected to the water supply.
Today, the Lichfield Waterworks Trust continues to preserve this remarkable piece of heritage. Through restoration projects, guided tours, and educational programmes, the Trust keeps the spirit of Sandfields alive for future generations.
The IMechE’s Heritage Engineering Awards recognise sites and artefacts of outstanding significance in the history of mechanical engineering. Sandfields now joins a distinguished list of recipients across the UK, celebrating Britain’s enduring tradition of ingenuity and innovation.
Sandfields Pumping Station is a Grade II* listed waterworks building located on Chesterfield Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire. It operated from 1873 to 1927, supplying clean water to the Black Country.
The site is now cared for by The Lichfield Waterworks Trust, a registered charity (No. 1160873), dedicated to conserving the building and engaging the community with its history.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), founded in 1847, represents over 120,000 members worldwide and recognises historically significant engineering achievements through its Heritage Awards programme.
For further information, please contact:
Nichola Balmer, Lichfield Waterworks Trust, Sandfields Pumping Station
contact@lichfieldwaterworkstrust.co.uk
www.lichfieldwaterworkstrust.co.uk
