Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-05
Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1855.
Report of the Superintendent of tn,
Nashville Water Works.

Report of the Superintendent of the
Nashville Water Works.
To The Board Of Mayor and Aldermen of the civ Of
NashUiUe:
The Superintendent of the Water Works begs
leave to submit the following report:
The number of subscribers for water Is one
thousand one hundred and thirty ore; among
which may be enumerated six Hotels, twentv-two
Steam Engines, two public Bath Houses The re-
mainder consists of Boarding Houses, Mechanic
Shops, Stores, Offices and private families
Your Superinuendenr regrets to report the Water
Works in bad condition, owing principally to the
severe winter, which has caused much injury by
the freezing Of pipes, both main and service the
consequence Of which is many leaks, the stopping
and repairing Of which has occupied by far the
greater portion Of nv time since entered upon the
discharge of the duties Of nv office.
Your attention is called TO the leaky condition Of
the Reservoirs, which should he repaired soon
as the weather will permit. Your honorable body
are aware of the complaints Of number of citizens
who reside on high points Of the city, who are IN
able TO get water regularly. Many have been for
weeks without any water except such they could
procure from those living on lower localities from
springs. The cause arises from the incapacity Of
the main pipes which lead from the reservoirs to
the city.
II will be borne in mind that have but two
pipes-one Of eight inches, and the other of six
inches diameter. The one of eight inches supplies
that portion Of the city lying west Of Cherry street.
and is attached TO the higher reservoir; the
other, six inch pipe, supplies that portion Of the
city living east Of and including Cherry street, on
the north side Of Broad street. Thus, it will be
seen that the CITY is supplied from two columns Of
water but little over six inches, as the eight inch
pipe empties into the six inch pipe at Broad street
True il is, there is six inch pipe which branches
from the eight inch Market street aud running
thr' ugh Franklin to Cherry and Summer streets,
south Of Broad, are connected to three inch,
which empties into the six inch on Broad street
BY throwing thi. supply to the OIL or lower reser-
vor, would materially al the new reservoir in sup
pyiag the high points complained OF. That, how
ever. would oaly be a temporary relief, as every
additional connection increases he difficulty, and
draws the water from the high points Of the city
well as from the reservoir, and which will be the
case 50 long as the pipes not Of sufficient ca-
pacrv 20 overcome the consumption. Although
the enlargement Of the reservoir is very desirable
(bojl, Tor utility aud a matter Of economy,) still
that is a matter Of secondary considerations for
admitting YOU had reservoirs Of three times the ca
pacity YOU now have without larger pipes leading
90 the city YOU would have the same difficulty that
YOU nov have in keeping up the su opIy.
Should your honorable body adopt the report Of
your committee appointed to make the necessary
enquiry and ascertain the best means Of giving q
sufficient supply, it viii he necessary to make the
contract for The pipes Immediately, a. it will take
some time TO cast the pipe and make other neces-
sary arrangements. The pIan would suggest, is,
60 run e pipe of not less than eighteen inches di
amrter from the reservoir 70 cross Market, College,
Cherry and Summer streets at right angles, with an
eight iuch branch on Market eight inch branch on
College, aud six inch branches on Cherry aud Sum
mer streets. BY adopting this plan, you lay the
foundation for an extension commensurate with the
requirements Of the city for years to come the
large pipe eau be extended TO Spruce street, cross
ing High aud Vine 10 its course. 1t must be OBJ
vious to your honorable body that some plan must
be speedily adopted to enable US 10 throw a suff
cient quantity Of water on the high points of the
city, to meet any emergency. We can but expect
the sane disastrous corflgra,ions With which
OF our sister cities have been visited, will sooner
or later be Cpon Us; and Is it not wisdom 10 lie
prepared for il? Should your honorable body de-
termne to make the contemplated improvements, /
will submit drawing and plan OF route as soon
as il is fixed upon.
There is another subject to which | would call
your attention. Some Eve years since it was
thog ght necessary 20 have cylinder the ems
glue, aud chambers for the pump. The cylinder
aud pump chambers were cast, aud with but little
labor aud the skill Of our Engineer can b. compile.
ted in comparatively short space of time. This
work is the more necessary in the event Of any
cid"nt to the large engine We are averaging about
five and half days per week pumping, and con-
sGme about mae cords Of wood per day. We hope,
however, TO be able 20 do with less pumping when
the leaks stopped in the reservoirs aud pipes
The Fire Plugs are ia good order with the eI..
cepton Of four. The stop valves require some re.
pairs at packing, which will be attended to imne
diately.
The large engine AMI pumps are in good condi-
iou. The ice in the pumps has ujnrrd the valves,
bat not seriously, as they are working very well.
The assessment for the present six months
amounts to SS,592 g., wiki some blanks yet to Gil,
which will increase it 10 near g.. 0OO.
All of which is res specially submitted
JOHN N. SEABURY,
Sup't Y. w. W.