The Stapleford and Sandiacre Water Co. first operated as a limited company in 1891 although there had been activity before that. Boring first began in the hamlet of Wilshorpe between Sandiacre and Long Eaton in June 1889 but was abandoned at 371 ft owing to the hardness of the water. Further borings were made and water was found in abundance at a site on Derby Road next to the Methodist chapel. Water was pumped up at a rate of 240,000 gallons a day without any diminution of the supply and the water works was established here. Progress in the installation of a piped water supply was slow. The Directors reported that: 'they had considerable prejudice to contend against. It takes time to induce people to abandon their wells’. The number of houses connected rose from 42 in 1891 to 401 in 1896. The population served in 1891 was 7,000 and it is obvious that there was no great enthusiasm to install piped water. The company was clearly undercapitalised and seemed to be trying to extend the system purely from current income.

above text from Victoria County History by Keith Goodman.

There is an interesting report on the sanitation conditions in the village of Stapleford dated 1877

Thornes Sanitation Report 1877.pdf