 In 1967 the Rochdale Corporation water undertaking was merged with those of Ashton-under-Lyne, Dukinfield, Heywood, Middleton, Oldham, Saddleworth and Stalybridge to form the West Pennine Water Board.The water board was in turn merged into the North West Water Authority by the Water Act 1973.In 1896 the borough council resolved to establish a municipal electricity supply to the town, and in particular to power the tramway system.