The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-01 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL CORPORATION WATER

WORKS.

The following is a copy of Mr. Danean's rcp-,rt
to the Water Committee, on the in,cnorial of the
ratepayers, recently presented to the Council, and
which wilt have to be considered at the monthly
meeting, on Wednesday next :
At a meeting of the Water Committee, held on
Saturday, 21st Feb., 1857, the memorial referred
to this- committee by the council having been
further considered,
Resolved,—" That the same be referred to the
engineer to report thereon, and that the same be
taken into consideration at the earliest possible
period, the engineer stating that he cannot be
prepared to report thereon at the next meeting."
At a meeting of the Water Committee, held on
Saturday, 25th April, 1857, read report of Mr.
Duncan on the plan proposed by Mr Bennett for
a separate line of pipes for the distribution of water
from Rivington,

Resolved,-----" That the reports submitted last
week, and the report now read, be entered on the
minutes, and that a special meeting of the com-
mittee be summoned for Friday next, at three
o'clock, and that a copy of each of the reports,
including that on the memorial of the inhabitants,
be forwarded to each member of the committee."

place I estimate that ai,uut 1,000 would have to be
expended on the engine and reservoirs. Atherton street,
with the exception of mains and valves, wculd require no
outlay at preset':. Similar remarks apply to Church street
reset v:ir. Thus there would be fur storage and distribution
of soft and spring water two distinct and separate schemes.
The storage and distribution of soft water would be by
and through the reservoirs at Kensington, Park Hill, and
Audley street, both to the low lying portion of the town,
as also to that lying above the ordinary reservoir level ;
and the storage and distribution of the spring water would
be by and from the proposed new reservoirs at Kensington,
Devonshire place, Atherton street, and Church street.
Referring to an observation already made in an earlier part
of this report, viz., that unless a system be established
whereby the stagnant water can be drawn from the pipes
at regular periods, it would become unfit for use, I have
to suggest that a system of side fountains should be
attached to, and supplied from, the spring water pipes.
With reference to this subject the borough engineer and
myself have had several conversations, and had, in some

1.-assure, agreed to report to our respective committees on
the desirability of introducing it, to a limited extent, in con-
nection with the existir g works. If the committee and the
council shall deem it advisable to carry the separate system
into effect the Bornes fountain, similar to those in Paris, may
be introduced with advantage ; and, in point of fact, either
Such fountains which would be allowed to flow cif for a
stated period every morning, or a regular system of end
hydrants, equally expensive, but less elective, must inevi-
tably be attached, and regularly opened, otherwise the
water would, undoubtedly, become unfit for use. I have
mentioned this sty ject because in considering this scheme
with its necessities, it has forcibly presented itself to my
mind as a fitting occasion for bringing it thus briefly under
your notice.

---- --"'". •••-•+,, ..,....` J.,‘• 11Uti121.10,7 lu uuusiusruig ante ECILtIIII
TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER COMMITTEE. with its necessities, it has forcibly presented itself to in
Liverpool, 30th March, 1857. mind as a fitting occasion for bringing it thus briefly unde
Sir,—li compliance with the resoletien of the corn- your notice.
mittee, passel on the 21st ulti-no, reerrine to me for a
c' z'a ce •eys"'•eem'riec'le=e ' ? - 8 2 '
7Tg ree,.
report—the memorial of certain inhabitants of Liverpool Ph'ettegio,slB,lle:g..gg;aarls-A-
-and neighbourhood, praying to have continued to them :gt 12- tlagi 12- Fa et c.f. ;,- erg sli 2 sf'i it a ;,' g iii, as ; •r° 9. :,5
the supply of spring water—l have now the honour of tera.':vesaglio;FearTrgatc3g:"Ts/4 il
submitting the following. I shall here first transcribe '..°3-'-..-0'4,--08-=c, '.... k. "". . D.-
F.° XP.'POI',. 8 P5254,:i ;-,i the memorial itself :
r Eivq5,,,,..,,e '6l- ,c..'.<, n
[Here folloivs the Memorial, as presented to the Council, era e ....e.P -o so: 5',32,4F
' D.. r. -D. 'B2 .-.-• •••-• o • ..-• -P, •
and which has already been published in this psper.] : S.: Prg.%;:'?'? o! .-er! '? ! F.: Ei
Mr. Duncan's report then proceeds to say :
.1.
ti
= -.7;2,i"..
The prayer of the memorial appears to divide itself •Zef, I Z Igzit k 2
ba .x
into the following heads : ocz
e,..„ :: : : : • • •
o esoor., et ••=t:
1 rr.
Ist : The supply of water from the local wells shall be
~..
continued as heretofore. '
. . 0.0. .
.
2nd : That the inhabitants shall have the option of le i _ . c.. ..,-.lr '4's
t tVat th lm
having supplied to them either the water from Riving ton '• • • • •
.--
... - . • e . ees
- • •
. • .„,
or the water from the local springs ; and, • • ,
3rd: . That immediate steps be taken to carry the prayer :e• 1 • oof the memorial into effect at any reasonable cost. -- = ocn P. I : ...: ,
e r A
From the above it will be evident that the only conch -.,e Ir g t, etes . 3,trl . e, S
k '4°
o
. 3
sion to be drawn is that a separate and distinct water 5 oa' 'a . : • • • •
• '
supply is desired, not only for the borough but for all the 000. o • • oo• 0 Flel,f,
I
..,
districts lying beyond it .where water is now supplied o oe o o re lapor
from the works of the corporation. I have, however, for e- I -
b .i' :•:e: . 14, 7
the sake of perspicuity, kept the estimates for -the out et ! .
o - I etV•
townships distinct from those of the borough, and in the .- 1:: : : . e, _.::: : Is e eat
se . .
case of B eritle, which is now supplied with spring water
PI • il E
—o . . .
unmixed, I have made an estimate fur a soft water supply, '''
P j
the main to be carried along the lower road, where in all s;
Le,.., re.
o- o
ese.t
s a 7. 7, .. ,• F., t.‘ 3 g.' S' ta' te te
probability such manufactories as may be built will be .11- gee 3as ~p, -.. ei oaeoe,
located lenay here premise that Ido not consider my- i„, t....'t S
. i:D' '8 8 0 0 .7. 'D 0 El -' r
self called upon to offer any observations on the desire- r. °' ' -, eo F
0 0 0 - 0000 F' P.
bility or non-desirability of carrying out the prayer of ' '''' 0 e'
...e re iro
the memorialists, but that my duty appears to be to lay i', I g I
e
glalt,hOP Pe-?.,Pareg before you a report of a scheme which would, in my p.,. ' "s 1 ra ;51.1, SA a
opinion, be that best adapted to carry into effect the 14.
A
..," 03 iiof g 3 at - o -- ' *•:••' " re
~.aaezeestreralees. El
requests of the memorialists, with estimates of the cost . V et. 1-• , r ' tea's, . g•
of the. seine. I shall, therefore, proceed at once to lay E .. .e.o. .-.--g. .t,,
• l' zr ND: a Et
.
my views before you as succinctly at the nature of ;4'2 -8: '3 Pg' 5
'5- - "
the'„ subject and my ability will permit, leaving 2 ,_,• e m P :1.•
it for the committee and the council to decide on the _
_E 2, : !...'1 g.
c uree-ultimately to be followed. I may, with safety, 8 t',
ose
found nay observations and estimates of quantity upon the `2 ree ..., = .ea ad 0 .C. OD -
CD
memorial itself, viz. :—That the water from the spring is . o , . .
Cs. ta
. • • 'll
only desired for table purposes; therefore the quantity may 5 I 8. 7 107, o - ..
,0 • 1 E
be asceetained sufficiently near to enable me to arrive at e 8 8 8 co 9.1
correct conclusions respecting the character and capacity -
za I -:
.e e
of the. work necessary for a separate supply of spring water. . 1 ::: -20 tit e, 5 :
. ~.
From my own experience, coupled with information - I aa . . ree
: ::: & 7,
- . obtained from the most reliable resources, I have computed . --• es, - •::',rs e 1 e
~ i
ci,
the maximum demand for water in Liverpool, and other se 1 , I 'o: o ..:a te '• 2
districts supplied from the same source, for some time to ,e
come, tri be ten million gallons par diem, when the supply ae . to
to. Di -8
shall be constant throughout, and, by computation. I set as 1 : • : • . . . v..
• • • • • e g a'•et
down the quantity of water required for table purposes © o
• I ; get.
at not more than one per cent. of the whole. It thus 0 0I erl `'o
appears that the net quantity of spring water, which would _ /
be consumed for table use in Liverpool and neighbour. l I. lid (7
hood, would not amount to more than 100,000 gallons per ' . 'O's • .r, • • p.a.-
0,
• • •-a
ee . a =s•
day, a quantity insignificant as compared with the whole 7.'
_ - L.,
It would, however, be apparent that, in drawing water for . e-, . - . o 1 ir
such purposes, a much larger quantity would be drawn s. I
thanswould be consumed at table, and I may be permitted ,=',',„ --,'
te I i: P
et 8 . Z., 8 a',
to increase the quantity I have named tenfold. There is. -`..3 'St .
Ca ct
, 5. V
therefore, then, one million gallons per day to provide for - . 5 - ~ . :,17 F g.-7:E
FIO
this purpose. In order to secure the purity of the water,
..0 . e, I -
'-L
•-•.-. J. p• • •- it would be necessary to draw off, perietlicdly, from the
ends of the pipes a quantity suffi&ent to maintain the It will be observed, that in the above estimates, I have
parity of the water remaining in them; for if it were allowed not entered on the question of cost to nrivate individuals ;
to remain at rest towards their ends, all those drawing this, on the whole, will amount to a large sum, depend-
water near such points would, undoubtedly, find it impure ; ing, however, on the number of applicants for a separate
this, however, is susceptible of prevention, and involves supply.-1 am, sir, your faithful servant,
only a 'question of cost.
(Signed) THOS. DUNCAN.
I shall now proceed to detail the leading characteristics
of such a scheme as would fully comply with the prayer of 18 h April, 1857.
the memorialists, at the same time maintaining the strictest At a meeting of the Water Committee held en the 4th
ins any, it was resolved that Mr. Duncan be instructed
economy consistent with the magnitude of the work pro-
to report as 'o the objsctions to both waters Leing sup
posed to be done. The committee is aware that there are
three engines at Green lane, by which there has Lr tome plied through the same pipes.
time past been raised upwards of three million gallons of -TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER COMmITTRE.
water per diem. At Windsor there has been raised about Sir.—ln compliance with the above re,olui ion, I beg
one million per diem, and at Bootle two engines have been to submit the following report on what appears to me to he
raising 700,000 gallons per diem. I do not take into the results certain to follow any attempts to supply, at
account the other stations belonging to the committee, as alternating periods, the water from the local weds and
they are not required for the purpose of this report. that from Rivington through the same pipes. For the
RESERVOIRS. better illustration of this question, it may be assumed
There are already two reservoirs at Kensington con. that the plan is to be tried, and then enquire what are the
nested with the existing piping; one at Park hill; one at results, To show these,
Audley street, Everton ; one at Atherton street, Everton ; let : Certain reservoirs must be retained for the storage
a small reservoir and pumping station at Devonshire place, o' spring water, and others for the storeage of water from
Everton; and one small reservoir at Church street, Ever. Rivington. The main from each must be connected above
ton} on an elevation nearly equal to the summit of the hilL the point of supply, The reservoirs are full, and the
After carefully considering and weighing the subject of a pipes empty ; the time (as by a recent notice of motion)
separate supply, I have come to the conclusion that, in say 5 InT.
carrying it out, it would be more advantage us to provide 2nd. The water is turned on from the spring water
for the smaller quantity than the larger; and I have also reservoirs, and if these a-e sufficiently numerous and
concluded that, excepting for the purposes named in the elevated by one at the water, will have reached the highest
memorial, the different waters will be used in quantities points of the respective districts, the pressure on the mains
corresponding with the ratio already stated. There are gradually increasing, and by two o'clock p.m., most of the
other reasons besides these to lead me to conclude that the tenants will have been supplied with more or less water—
estimates and scheme ought to be for the distribution of depending on their position.
spring water. Of these I shall enumerate the following : Ord. At two o'clock the water has to be supplied from
let —All connection for domestic supply, such as to the Rivington store, it will, therefore, be necessary to run
baths and water closets, for manufacturing, fire prevention, out all the water from the mains, this operation will occupy
and for sanitary purposes, are attached to the existing at least four hours, (assuming that the staff is sufficiently
pipeage.numerous) during the time the reservoirs are shut off, and
2nd.—To remove these, and to attach them to a the pressure on the mains is
gradually diminishing, and if
new system of pipeage, would be a work involving a large a fire arise there will not be water to extinguish it.
expenditure of money both public and private. . 4th. At six p.m. the mains have to be filled with Riv-
3rd.e--In carrying a supply of spring water to any ington water, and as has alma ly been stated, eight hours
house or building, it will not be necessary to convoy it wi'l elapse before the water reaches the highest points,
beyond the lower or working portion of the house, where viz., two o'clock a.m. of the second day, so that the period
the water cankl be drawn when required; consequently, during which the water will be effectively on throughout
the expense of its introduction would be a minimum. And, the town, is shown not to exceed four hours during the
4th.—To provide pipes for the conveyance of soft day, leaving the water on one hour the time is three
water si•much larger class of pipes wculd be necessary; (2,1, ek in the morning.
a msequently a large expenditure of capital. To carry this enquiry one stage in advance, the mains have
With these- reasons before me, 1 have been induced to again to be emptied, and the reservoirs being shut offdating
take into consideration the provisions for a spring
water. the time this is in operation, viz., four ;hours, the protee-
sapply, so as to leave, in a great measure, the existing tion from fire is nullified. By the time the refilling
piping and reservoirs intact for storing and distributing -can be resumed, we have got to seven o'clock on the
fi
soft water., The plan I have to propose for accomplish-
econd morning, thus the time for supplying overreaches
the time of the previous day by two hours, and so on, on
ing l•Iiinl shall now describe: I have already stated that
the quantity of water required for tab'e purposes, added each succeeling day. To do the work necessary in carry.
to that which would be wasted or otherwise applied, to be ing out the operations as sketched, a staff of at least one
one million gallons per. diem, and in order to keep this hundred men will be required, for every end plug or
in a pure state, as much more water in addition would hydrant on every end pipe throughout the towo, must be
have to be drawn from the ends of the pipes, together opened to facilitate the emptying of the mains, and shut
equal to two million gallons per diem. A t Green I,ne, to prevent the escape of the water, before that
in twelve hours, one and a-half million gallons may be of a different character can be admitted, conse-
daily pumped, and at at Windsor half a million gallons quently risk of fracture is increased, and tear
in the like time. The present reservoirs at Kensington and wear greatly augmented. The question of
are by no means too large for the wants of that portion of domestic storage is one demanding consideration
the town supplied from them, and as the present pipine, It will be evident that, unless the waters be separately
both from Rivington to them and from them to the town, stored up in each house, granting that the separation be
form one system, I would leave them intact ; I would perfect, the instant the change takes place in the mains,
propose to construct at Kensington, on land to be pur- tenants must either take the water in hand, draw from
chased adjoining the present reservoirs, another reservoir, their own stores, or be without altogether. If, therefore,
to be used soh ly for the storage and distribution of spring j cisterns are to be provided for storage, there will be an
water. To connect this reservoir with the Gre, n lane expenditure by private individuals of at least £70,000, and
establishment, connecting at the same time the Windsor an additional expenditure on the water account of at least
pimping station with Kensington spring water reservoir, £70)00 per annum. The daily waste of water under such
and from Kensington distribute spring water to the a system will in itself be a very important element in the
central and southern parts of the town and districts at question, certainly not less than four million gallons in
present supplied with water by the corporation. I have every twenty-four hours. If lam in error in supposing
made no provision for the dock supply, considering 01,1 that in such a scheme it is not contemplated to run the
present pipes sufficient, and only requiring, in the event water off at each change, I confess myself unable to die-
of change, to he joined to the prejacted main along the cover any point in favour of its adoption. It cannot
line of docks • The Atherton street reservoir is already in i escape the notice of any member of the committee that if
connection with the Bootle works, Devonshire pllce is the mains ate not emptied, the water will generally be also in a like ccndi'ion, go also is Church street reerv- it mixed. Tenates, especially at remote points from the i
on the high ground. Those three stations, in addition to f reservoirs, when looking for spring water, will in all pro-
the
reservoir projected at Kensington, would be devote I:o bsbility be supplied ttomßivingtou ; while others, intend- t
thestori r g and distribritio,i ofspringwater Between Atherton i jog to draw Rivington water, will find their supply to be I
greet reservoir and Kensington there would be a connect- from the wells. But in most instances the water will be ,
ing main, passing along Netherfield road, as also a con. mix d, and not hi any one case to b 3 depended upon. r
neetion between the same main and Devonshire place. Having carefully considered the question, with my knw.. c
The engine at Devonshire place I propose to retain and 1 ledge of the wants of the community, lam satisfied that it t
employ as at present, viz., in filling the Church street lit shall be deemed desirable by the council to supply 1001 r
reservoir, hint supplying other tenants on the hth ground 1 waters unmixed, it must be p rformed by aseparate n
'bow) the level of Kensington reservoir. At Devonshire ' system of pipeage, any other method must be certain to a

tit I glll
aT,s
!.IPFII-1E

I F.,
.74 f.,,,
I

It will be observed, that in the above estimates, I have
not entered on. the question of ecst to nrivate individuals ;
this, on the whole, will amount to a large sum, depend-
ing, however, on the number of applicants for a separate
supply.-1 am, sir, your faithful servant,