CondensingArticle | Updated 2 months ago Hampton Plains condenser, 1895 Many people were more interested in water than gold. Albert Gaston, prospector recalling the 1890s Due to the shortage of water, individuals, seeing a money making opportunity, established businesses to condense and supply water. Brackish water from salt lakes was boiled and condensed by steam in tall condensers to produce potable water. There was an insatiable demand for local timber to fuel this process. Advertisement for Water Condensing services The Western Argus, Saturday 9 February 1895 James McDonald was one such operator. ‘Old McDonald’ had mineral leases, but chose to establish a thriving business condensing water on a large block in Hannan Street instead of prospecting for gold. McDonald monopolised the supply of water, charging what he liked. When he increased the price in late 1895, an angry miner attacked his condenser with a pick one night, spilling about 1000 gallons (4,500 litres). The precious water was not wasted, however, as ‘men lay down in the mud and lapped like dogs’. The next day, in typical goldfields style, almost every man who had benefited paid for his water. Typical scene of loading water onto camels at a condenser Image copyright WA Museum Government water condenser, Coolgardie c.1895 Courtesy State Library of Western Australia 008587D Hampton Plains condenser, 1895 Courtesy State Library of Western Australia 008926D ‹ Getting Water Building a Pipeline ›