| Administrative History | In response to a petition brought before the Town Council, regarding the poor quality of the water supply, a committee was formed by an Act of Council on 1 May 1792. The committee initially comprised the Provost, three Baillies, Dean of Guild, Treasurer, Town's Minister, and various burgesses, and was charged with bringing good water into the Town. The first supply was taken from springs located on land known as the Strods of Hallgreen, lying on the property of Mr Robert Barclay of Ury.
The second committee was appointed by a subsequent Act of Council in 1806 due to the 'great inconveniency ... to the inhabitants of this Town for want of good spring water, owing to the pipes and fountains going into disrepair, and the insufficiency of the funds established by an Act of Council on a former petition of the burghers and inhabitants for that effect'. A general meeting was held annually in June at which each householder was entitled to elect the seven serving committee members, including a president and collector. In 1827, the Committee agreed that responsibility for the management of the Public Wells should be transferred to the Town Council. |