William Davidson, was an Australian civil engineer who headed the Melbourne Water Supply department, and was responsible for important improvements to Melbourne's water supply system during sustained periods of drought.
Early life
Davidson was born on 6 December 1844 at Moy, County Tyrone, Ireland. His father, John Davidson, was an architect, and his mother was Eliza, née McCudden. Davidson was educated at the local National school, until age 13and then worked as a clerk in Belfast. In 1859 he worked his passage to Melbourne, Australia, and then on to Ballarat, where he sought out his uncle, mining surveyor Robert Davidson, whom he assisted in survey work as chainman. Davidson obtained his surveyor's certificate in 1864, and then spent some years surveying farm selections, mines and roads in north-west Victoria and Gippsland.
Career in Australia
Davidson was appointed assistant to the superintending engineer of the Melbourne water supply, Charles Taylor in April 1873 and was made inspector-general of public works in 1889 becoming chief engineer of the Melbourne water supply where he supervised the improvements and extensions to the Yan Yean Reservoir and water supply system. When a major flood on 16 March 1878 destroyed the bluestone viaduct carrying the Yan Yean water across the Plenty River, and so severed Melbourne's drinking water supply, Davidson, worked for three days and nights with a gang of carpenters, to build a replacement timber flume. He was subsequently appointed superintending engineer 'for the outstanding part he had played in expediting repairs and restoring water to Melbourne in three days' by the minister of public works, James Patterson. In August 1886 Davidson commenced the Watt's River Scheme - the precursor to the Maroondah Aqueduct and Maroondah Reservoir, and then, by bringing in a new water source from a reservoir on the O'Shannassy River, above the junction of the Yarra, he was instrumental in conceiving and designing a system which provided Melbourne with an additional 20 million gallons of high quality drinking water each day, with the added benefit that the system could be expanded later to take in the entire upper Yarra catchment. Davidson, was a tireless and vigilant protector of water catchments, ensuring that any freehold was resumed, subdivision opposed and forests protected.
Professional achievements
Davidson was elected a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers on 4 December 1888, and later became the chairman of the ICE Victorian branch 1914-19. He was awarded the I.S.O. in 1911. He retired from the public service in 1912.
Personal life
Davidson was married on 3 January 1874 at St John's Church, Ballarat, to Elizabeth Cherry, and had a son and three daughters. He became a leading member of the Yorick Club, and, in a rare distinction, was an honorary life member of the Victoria Racing Club.
