Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-04
THE WATER QUESTION

McS'lS. EuIloTs: lhls question seems 10 Uc
more interesting TO the citizens OF R,hmon !,
at present. than any of the many interesting
subjects under discussion The new Railroad.
the national foundry, the new furnace. the
James River and kanawha Canal. &c. &c, are
ALL We doubt not, equally as important. On
reading the able and ingenious reports Of
Mcssrs Ellet. Gill and Davis. a few ideas in
connection were suggested. which may he wor.
thy Of consideration. and since investigation
and discussion areinvtad, take the liberty Of
submitting them. The only complaint have
heard OF the scHrriiy Of water comes from the
upper portion ct'Ms city, but general COM
plant arises against its impure, muddy condi-
ton. On this score, We all fear alike and feel
alike. We want pure, crystalline water. such
as the James river affords when its mud is
precpitatcd BY filtration. &c
Mr.. Ellet's plan is ono Of great economy,
independent OF the litration: to effect which,
though possible We should infer would I've
costly. We believe water was once taken from
the Basin on the same principle, if not the
same plan some 25 years ago; but we shoul,
not like to be made tiltering apparatus for tho
Basin water But should this plan be adopt.
cd and the water filtered at large additional
cost-for instance. at the old gas works by
means Of elevated cisternS. prccipitatorS. &c,
We still find future difficulty 10 encounter in
supplying the great and growins upper portion
Of the city,
We may also say the same thing in relation
to the plan Of Mcssrs Gill and Davis; since il
provides at q comparatively great expense, for
portion Of the city only, and holds out no in
ducement for its growth and spread over the
beautiful high grounds around us. Every in
ducement should be given to promote ouT cA-
tension and to supply this most elegant portion
of Richmond Our business men DO not live
in the lower portion Of the city, aud are more
anxious for q bountiful supply Of pure water
at their family mansions than in their stores,
warehouses and workshops Now, il appears
to us simple matter. and one Of very easy So
luton. The James river can supply plenty of
water, il properly economical To supply II city
ten times the size Of Richmond. and force it Up
to any height that may be required-to the top
OF five story house on Shockoe Hill, for in
stance. There can be no doubt about the Ca
pacty Of the river; but, il there was, the c..
nal can supply any power that may be desired.
We wouldAhcrcfore, propose instead OF buy
ing up large quantity Of land in the ravinc,
or hollow, between the canal and the present
reservoir, the purchase of few acres IN addl-
ton to. and in connection with it-not more
than ten acres-and, if economy must be prac-
ticed, the present grounds can be made To an
swer the purpose We would, then. suggest
the erection Of another reservoir, of about
equal size, and in connection, two .nt'tring or
precipita,ing cisterns These reservoirs should
then be filled and cmpted. alternately, giving
each time to prccpitate its sediment and dis
charge the pure, sparkling water into the
mains for use-thc alienation 10 be governed
by floating or sclfac;ing regulator. To sup
piv these reservoirs We propose the erection
Of two additional pumps, on the plungcr rrin.
ciple. capable Of lifting 100000 Of gallons
per day, which, with the present pumping ca
pacity, would, VIC presume, give not less than
SIX million gallons in twenty.iour hours. The
cost, TO this point, would not exceed $4,000,
and would. We should judgc-knowins but lit
tie of the capacity Of tho mains-supply the
present demand.
Thus far we accomplish future necessity;
and by comparatively slight additional ex,
pense any quantity Of water can be supplied
to al parts Of the city. New or additional
mains must be added, as necessity may require,
or by the city's increase Reservoirs can he
erected in other parts Of the city, in which the
surplus water NAV accumulate st night, ana
precipitatc its mud. ready for use. "hen the
draw Of water would be greatest. These reser-
voirs might BIZ erected 10, go, or 30 ieet higher
than the present, if required. and yet hlled by
the same main and pump. we propose, provi-
ded they would bear the additional pressure
This would give piay 70 our fountains, and force
10 the fire plugs when required, and at the same
time supply water ,e every story Of our highest
buildings.
These are crude ideas, hastily put together,
not 10 disparage the plans proposed, OF as s'i-
perior ore In fact, this plan is nearly identl-
, cal with the ultimate plans Of either party. It
adopts their ultimate plans in preference TO the
present ones. The objections We have heard
TO Mr. Elets plan. are that it does not pro
vide for filtration. and we cannot think OF drink
ing the Basin water unless il shall be thorough
ly filtered; that it docs not give sufhcieh.
head, and that the water must be drawn OIL the
canal occasionally. thus leaving the Basin dry
several times during the year. Still we thnk
it worthy of adoption in preference to any otnci
{ plan. under present circumstances, provicen u
can be filtered thoroughly without great ad'
di,on.i cost. The principal objection to the
o,bcr nl,n would be It's cost, and that 1t still
looks ultimately. to the expenditure here pro-
nosed IF the CITY, however, has the means tn
en,ro i, would be hard to suggest better plan,
and we should think it might be carried out
AZ much less expenditure than the sum pro-
posed. :. -. a..
Il is desirable that the upper portion OF the
city should be plen,ifuly supplied, and thai
both upper and lower should have pure wa!er
I, is possible to filter the James river water
and give it pure to the people. When the mu'
and other impurities are preciPitated, no wate
can be better. "HYpEA RAN
IATER YHON HAYTI