The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-01-19
PRICE ONE CENT.

ASA S1 O4N n OIIly -
the lower level nov take Oh one hsif 81 ths "a.
voiumc delivered ia the reservoir, while in fscl
thhsy the Snly d.sw OF one third q the whole, tbs
osIy serve {, AFFORD an increase Of 81 psr cant :
sns total supply Of the upper portion. with an i'm
nsrsssed supply TO theicwer portion. Ad
nl.lns snat the latter may prove to be the tru
sia,e OF the case. the arransemsnt proposed vii
ss,i' oe an sdsctnsl remedy t. this extent-sbat
city as much water A. they can possibly wish q
use; sAo 70 those In the upper parts who are som,
than almos and othcrs entirely out Of the reach
almost everywhere in their second story rooms.
these results vi be obtained vithoat snY Other
main . inches in diameter. from The canal bstwser
% e,n ara Iin streets to point Cary street. beiew
Inn ,ha sna possibly in addition. 10 inches
inches pipe along lsth street to franklin.
reheT eTIpg the pipes which Distribute the water
for the supply lower service we shall
tne pressure upon the ppes In the upper service and
consequentiy be enabled to deliver the water from
.ne present reservoir. at the increased elevation due
70 the increase of pressure which is produced AZ dI
fsgent POINTS along the pipes
be anticipated with great precision If we couid A a
,ernine precisely the volumes of water consumed
IN .ach OF the proposed divisions. But we can only
ana hence only an approximate estimate Of the
height to which the water will rise on the division
o. sns M Mas.srlontIon l am able 70 state. however.
tpat the increased height of delivery on the most
elevated portions Of shockoe Hill will be NOT Len
rnan io feet and may slightly exceed Is feet. the
moment the separation is effected
The neigbbofhood which now suffers NEST from,
want OF water 10 that found along Franklin Main
uracea I'd Bread streets. and from Adams to Fifth
ply over much wider area than this But this is
ahs ndshess part q tho city. and ac
may be uTed, that there will he asnnerabuniant
supply every where else.
one OF the highest points within it, say Along
franklin street by Adams or Foushse-at point
about 5000 teet from the reservoir it is correct 10
state hat all those whose hydrants are only IL feet
below the surface 1fthe reservoir when full are an
t'reiy without water in the day time; these whose
MIGRANTS are Is feet below the reservoir can get VA
tsr only az night and early in the morning and eve
ming; while hydranss which are % feet below the
res, rvo.r can always supply some water thong il
grants 23 feet or more below the reservoir obtain
fu.l supply at all times
This is the present state of things in the highest
ately remove all these difcuties and conseauentIy
render the supply still more abundant at ali lower
To state the effects which anticipate still more
precisely, may add, that if the lower part Of the
city now uses one,half Of ell the water breed into
the reservoir. and the mains frse from obstrur-
tions the division Of the distribution proposed win
enable you to deliver double the present quantity
OF water to all the upper portion and allow ID TO b
drawn at an elevation about Is feet higher than il
can now be- obtained in the paris OF the CITY
Bna aong sranEn street ~ st and "a streets
the city il only onethird Of the whole then The
proposed division of the digtritution win enable
consumers in the same neighborhood to receiy We the
water in midday only about 10 feet higher than at
present "
Ny impression il very decided that The frat bvro.
thesis is nearest th true one and thar division Of
the distriDnfioD will afford an abundant supply
20 all takers. ana permit the water to be drawn
every where rs rule liable to very few exceptional
cils story ha5her than il can now be obtained.
FSlter1'g Arrangements.
Thus far, / have confined myself to the question
50 a. to enable them to perform their first anS mas
important functions, viz: to afford Immediately an
abundant supply Of good and wholeso water TO
any consumer, afa convenient elevation. and for a
am aware that there are objections to the river
water in the condition in which il Is now wired
and that it is desirable to provide the means Of sT.
ngit OF some OF the earthly matter which 1t holds n
suspen sion. before it is served to the public.
The process OF hitering requires much attention
and when undertaken on q large scale, involves
considerable expense. This expense may, howey-
er be materially reduced by the aid of ample sat
ling reservoirs in which part Of the foreign mat
ter with which the river water is at times loaded
may be precipltsted. before it ia subjected to filter
atiou. / cannot advantareousy pre- pare plans for
accomplishing this object. in whole or in part un-
I'll the primary recommendation which have made
shalt have been first disposed Of If this question
Of dividing the service should be kept open alter
native plans will be required; but ifmy recommen-
dstion on that point is not acceptable, all other
pacs, whether for improving the reservoirs. filter
ing settling pumping and adj usting the future dis
triburon, viii be made to conform to that arrange
ment. and be greatly smplhed.
PrOpecties Increase IT The Demand
The plan which have thas far discussed will "a
stated, fIr q small cost. remove all Gauss Of com
plant OF insufficient supply. and lesve but little to
De desired in regard TO the elevation at which the
water may be obtained in any part of the city
The construction of settlng reservoirs, adapted
10 this division of the service, will materially i'm
prove the appearance, and perhaps the quality of
the water; and tho addition of ftering beds Will
enable you to deliver il in condition which will
1 A htl ha varv aafi to 4, ,rrka;
AS soon the division Of the service Is effected
the water will rise in the pipes on all parts OF
now be drawn. and on Church Hill me Increased
elevation will be more than 20 feet But In the
course time, the population increases and the
pip In the upper service are extended the craft of
which they will De relieved by his division of The
SCI vice will be experienced again, and intimately.
IL the city should continue to be prosperous the
trouble which are now subjects Of complaint viii
return. he time when these difficulties will rocur
will depend OF course. on the cltys growth, and
somew hat on the direction which the increase may
take.
pense of providing now tor this contingency. Its
occurrence must be somewhat remote and the eco.
noInical plan which submit, with ths addition
from time to time Of some very Inexpensive expe-
dients i'll be quite sufficient Tor the abundant sup
ply of the city for long period ahead. There may
be occasional of deficient supply at certain
elevations in limited sectious arising from the mode
in which the distributing pipes have been in some
cases laid down. bef re the deficiency begins TO be
ra Bat it is not necessary to incur the expeRse
experienced Immediately, and which can be correct
cd as they arise by gradually bringing the circula
tion TO conform to well mature system prepared
in advance and in view Of the progressive growth
OF the city, and of the division OF the distribution re-
commended ter adoption.
dae time they will the remeay will be found in the
following expedients, which may be successivey ap-
plieo in the order in which they are stated and
The formation Of small com pensating reservoirs
which may fill up at ht and at all other times
dru lv caa in, xVhn or
in part and bs in condition to return the water
thus stored np to thsgipes. when the draft returns
thus maintaining more constant pressure on the
<. Increased pumping pewer. or a chsnge of the
location Of the pump-tOuse, and the source Of sup
Div from James river to the canal-thus materially
reducing the power required to furnish given
supply. ,,-.-,..,
reservoir TOR the up er seryics to the western end
of he rs iuches main already laid The quantity OF
sster lifted being increased By the Increase OF the
increased both by the compensation reservoirs and
the enlarg cement of the mains.
IT. eventually, the delivery OF the water ut still
greater height should ue demanded than can be %
cur ID by thsse expedents il can be accomplished
adding ga 60 s ans h Masr E. .Ie y
and increasing city can never be .fnished They
Cht to be increased In power and improved o.
| dsU and increases But great economy would often
resut from the preparation Of judicious and cam
urehsn snsive plan having the progressive increase Of
he population in view In its formation. Then thess
.accessiye improvements could be added they are
n nseded on q foundation already laid
would not recommend any expenditure for In
c,pasina the efficiency of the present pumps, or en-
largiug the present pump-honse When the power
already created proves 10 be inadequate 70 its duty
tfinx for reasons already set torth tho location OF
the pump house should be transferred from the river
| 10 The canal; the present psmp house and water
newsr disposed of 70 the beet advantage the four
Old pu ps sold and the two newer and larger ones
transferred to the new house.
II the distribution were divided g. propose. and
the vafer were lifted from the canal instead OF James
river the two large pumps now IN use would DO CA
pase o. fully supplying the upper service at this
do the work for many u ars 10 come
have thought il proper to ailude to these sever
n, snhiects now thai you may be able TO decide the
onestion which lies ut the foundation Of all the plans
NV judgment would induce me TO propose. and DE-
tef mine whether detailed plan, based upon thil
suggestion. ought to bs prepared er not. That sug
gestion is-1hat The spper end iotcer parts Of ~
distribttsoH shaa De separdfea and that hetosre.
This proportion, il approved. will require th,
consent Of the James River and ksnawha company
- n hn~r Aclf