The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-01-31
TN. water Questson.

MONDAY MORNING. JANUARY 81 1889
The water Questson.
Water 10 good thias-so Indispensable thing
much msre delicious than some people VINO nave
rot tasted 1. f,r acme time Imagine. As Mr. van
isea said to Congress Of Mr. po'nsetts army o''',
We eaaaot too earnestly recommend u t"a'efl'o
their favorable consideration they nave 20 'aeA
how ssoa il To- We advise them to take for
the good Of such people. however, nsa ~eno' peter
Increase the supply and hitter u oet'ers hsse
they cot a very plausible excuse fsr re)eoaos wa
81 ..,,s.,her IN the quality now furn ished for
pubic consumption We tear our CITY authori-
ia, viii have to answer for the unfortunate ters
limitations of the lives of many promising individ.
,s,s ~ the present state Of things continual
Re.uminS the question Of the proposition for
Increasing aud improving the supply of water for
sI,vu.s. We re,ea, thai Mr., Eltsrr's plan Of
sano,y for large portion Of the ciy soscin9 from
a hssh poiut 10 the canal, without the iat.rven.
ton Of pumping free and attendant expenses,
IA certainly the m,st economical that could be de-
yi.ed. We thsnk his argument, showing that the
supply would be wholesome, Ia conclusive The
only aues ioa In our own miads with regard to 1t
4. "a 70 the meaus of alteration which Mr.. Z. has
not developed.
nlsn, and {, may be that they may become irreeor.
eile,ble. These prejadices, however, must operate
ass,roug,y against the propositions of Dir. EIlet
and Nessrs Gill and Davis for a prospective iI~
crease of supp'y by pumping the water from tie
.onaI TO the reservoirs. Added TO the full weight
Of the prejudices enlisted IL the large amount a
water required by these plans from the canal to
work the pumps IT, as is alleged, there will be
sometimes too little water for asupply flowing
through pipes to the lower part OF the city, how
IL II 70 be expec ed tina, shall get enough both
for suoply and for working the pumpsi We do
not acknowledge the force Of the arguments
AGAINST any of these projects; but merely present
the case to those who urge them against one
They rule out ell the schemos and must look to
othsr means.
Ara there othsrsi We may increase the supply
by increasing the forcing power at the prese Mt
location, If the water power be sufficient, and II
not. By the use Of steam The supply being in
creased we may by eievatiug reservoir, build
ing some new ones OF proper places, and I'M prov
ing the system OF distribution, by larger pipes
sc., dfusa the supply more generally and equally,
SO AZ 70 satisfy every body We suppose that In
this way the wants Of the city may for long
time be accommodated, and we may leave to pos
teri,y the solution Of the further problem OF
t,ill greater supply when these means fall.
Another plan we have heard of is projected by
the intelligent aud practical superintendent OF the
water Works, Mr.. DAVIS We shall not under take
10 give it's Details but merely tue prominent Tea
lures Of il. This plan proposes the drawing oil
supolv from GUMS Greek, by steam forcing
nnmp located near the gas works at Rock etts
which are to supply fuel for the eng ne-th'
coke made In manufacturing the gas answer
aQsWel
nresent purposes the water forced from th {
crsek to be elevated to q column erected or
u>s,i,sl Uil,-this column to be tall enough
70 hiring the water at its top to level with tx
rrasspt reservoir. 1t is coutended that thu
water thus elevated will produce new and stead.
rv maintained pressure from Hospital Hill 0us
havond Church HID that will stop the constant
drain from the elevated points on Shockoe Hill
and cause those points as well as those on Church
Hill 10 DO constantly supplied At present Il
would be only necessary, It is supposed, to pump
the water from Gllies' Greek during the day time
Afier a time, when the supply is deficient
,assryoIr may be built on Hospital HILL to holt
.uv amount that may be deemed necessary. A
"a the cspacity Of the creek, we understand tina
as volume. ordinarily, is equal to 5000 gallon
ner minute, and that last summer, during the al
most unprecedented drought of that season, tn
amount q owing along its bed, was equal 10 lou
ga,laue per minute. The mill, located upon i. q
Rockets, continued grinding throughout that re
markabie drought
We do not know the height OF the elevation I
rbich the water would have to be forced frcm thi
,resk. The water itself is very pure. clear at
sost I. would seldom if ever, need to be filtered
TIE supply, if the data given us is accurate,
ample.
We hope the Council will get Mr.. Davis pla
before IL. tits certainly worthy of examination
.fr D,vis' good sense aud reputation as man {
.xcellen. practical Judgment, would entite an
proposition of his to a respectful consideration.
Lst us have all the plans and examine all
These Who fnd none to suit them, ought to b
able to present views of their own. Simply to 81
tack, ali will not do. More water, and bette
distribution of it We must have. 1t viii! be ediiy
ing 20 tho 90 who revolt at one scheme at least
lock into others If they have none of their own t
gf.r,