The Ipswich Water Works Company was formed following the merger of nine private water companies. In 1854, a proposal by Ipswich Corporation to gain control of the rights to supply water to the town had been met by protests from residents and water suppliers.Signage "The role of Holywells in the supply of water to Ipswich", Holywells Park, Ipswich The company was incorporated and gained statutory authorisation to supply water by the (20 & 21 Vict. c. xlvii).
The water works was bought by Ipswich Corporation under the (55 & 56 Vict. c. xciv), who then turned it into the . The Ipswich Water Works Company was wound-up in 1893. In 1972, the Ipswich Corporation Waterworks was merged with other water companies in the region to create the Anglian Water Authority.
Constituent companies The earlier waterworks operations that were bought out when the IWWC was founded included: Ipswich Corporation Stoke Water Works (purchased by Ipswich Corporation in 1853 for £1,100) William Charles Fonnereau Richard Dykes Alexander John Cobbold (St. Clements Water Company) John Chevallier Cobbold John Orford
St. Helen's Water Works Key Water Works Brooks Hall Water Works Tovells Spring Water Works
Fonnereau's undertaking was purchased jointly by the remaining four operators, who also jointly purchased Ipswich Corporation's undertaking for £21,500 in October 1854; then proposed to combine into a single company.
Directors The directors included: Richard Dykes Alexander John Cobbold John Chevallier Cobbold John Orford
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