Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-08-17
RADICAL.
THE CITY WATER.

The impure condition OF the city water tor several
weeks mast appears to have created general dissatis
faction amongst the watcr-takers We have received
several communications from Sufferers" in relation
to the matter one of (which we publish to-day Having
made enquiries with regard to the of the present
impure supply of water, have become fully satisfied
that Neither the superintendent OF the City Water
Works or the Watering Committee, are justly amen
able for the present imperfect condition OF
the Works.
Last year the Watering Committee Informed the Ci-
ty Council that two additional pumps necessary
to meet the increased and steadily increasing demand
for water in the city. The Council, perceiving the
wisdom of the suggestion directed the addition to be
made and as possible thereafter the work was
put under contract. The contract for the work
at the Pump house, upon which nearly all the other
depended was let to an experienced contractor. who
stipulated under heavy penalty to complete the work
by the 18th Of May, 1880 Owing to causes probably
beyond the controu of the contractor he failed to
plete the contract until late in July. The pumps
present in operation are barely sufficient to keep up
regular supply OF water; because the amount used
wasted in The city at this OF the year is greater
than at any other period Irue the amount of water
all times in the reservoir is amply sufficient to
supply the city, under any emergency but still when
the draft Is unusually great (as always is in the sum-
mer) the muddy water pumped from the river is u
suffered TO remain stationary long enough to enable
to settle In addition to these difficulties the river
which at this season is generally clear has been unu
sualy muddy for at least six weeks past in consequence
of the late heavy rains 1t will thus be seen, that
those having charge of the Water Works have recent
| y encountered obstacles which neither human wisdom
| or human efforts could avert
| We are happy to learn, however, that the additional
works nearly ready, and that by the latter par
of the ensuing week, the two additional pumps will be
in operation. We equally gratited to be able to
say, that in very short time, all the evils com
planned OF will be remeded and that shall have
abundant and purer supply ofwaer than hereto
FORE Pure, clear wholesome water, is great blessing
and has been priced such in all ages and in every
land. In the early ages, water was reverenced as
the substance of which all things in the universe were
| supposed to be made, and the vivilying principle
that animated the whole. Hence rivers, fountains and
wells were worshipped, and religious teats and cere-
| monies were instituted in honour of them, of the
spirits which believed to preside over them-
Nearly every nation retains relics OF this superstition
Asia is still degraded by it, as in former ages while
shoals of pilgrims constantly in motion all Hin
dosan, their way the sacred Ganges, their tracks
stained with blood and covered with the bones OF thou
sands who perish the road. With this people it is
deemed asvirtue TO think of this river while to
battle in its waters washes away all SIM and to expire
its brink be sufocaed in it, is the climax of human
felicity. Innumerabe instances might be cited from the
pages of holy writ, to show the estimation in which the
children of Israel held wells and fountains pure water
Solomon carried by order of David to the Fountain
of Gihon, and there proclaimed king Obligations
were rendered inviolable, treaties concluded and
sacrifices to God were offered at Wells. Wherever
spring rises, or river flows, says Seneca, there we
should build affairs and offer sacrifices Vessels of water
carried by the Egyptian priests in their professions
to denote the great blessing derived from it, and that
the beginning of all things. Even as late as the
seventeenth century, people in Scotland were in the ha-
bit of visiting wells, in which they performed numerous
acts OF superstition and even at the present time, in
some parts of England, remains of well-worshp are
preserved. The Romans, at an immense cost, brought
running spring and river water into the ancient Capita
of the Christian and Heather world; New York has
wonderfully improved upon their me-honored ex-
ample, having spent the enormous amount of $l3,000.
900 upon her Croton water works, and regarding the
blessing cheapy purchased at this vast outlay
London, Liverpool Boston. Albany and Philadelphia
cheeruly consent to be heavily taxed for the attainment
OF clear, sparkling, wholesome water. The people Of
our own city, we know. have also cheerfully borne
heavy tax for water The recent additions to the wa
ter works. we trust and believe, will afford plentiful
supply of clear, pure water. But even in its pures
state, incline to the opinion that the ought
be filtered. The waters Of creeks and rivers gen
orally contain admxture Of animal and vegetable
NATTER partly in state OF decay beside living animal
cu8, and the embryos OF animals capable OF attaining
considerable sze of habits that lead them TO seek or
blood nourshment Prof Renwick, of Columbia
College, admits that Inconvenience and danger
may arise from swallowing water that contains them
The remedy is a simple onetilter it, Those unable OIL
ndsposed TO purchase apparatus for this purpose
can strain the water through fine linen cloth,