Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-29


communication was received from the Mayor,
lnelosing one from the Commissioners Of the IVES
tern section of the Washington canal, in relation
10 the old Corporation mud machine. The Com
missioners letter states that the old horse mud
machine has been sunk in the canal for the last
four years and is totally valueless to the Corpora
ton. He recommends that the same be disposed
Of as soon possible, as the longer II remains in
It's present position the less il will bring; referred
TO the canal committee
Mr. Riggs from the finance committee, reported
bill from the lower board. relative to aixing the
City Seal to the public documents of the Corpora
ton; passed.
A communication was received from the Mayor,
lnelosing letter from Capt. NJ. c. Megs. in rela-
ton 10 the Potomac water referred to the drainage
committee.
The communication is as follows:
WASHINGTON AQUKDUcT OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, March -, 1859
HoA J. e. BeTrst, Mayor Of Washington:
Dear Sir: As there seems to be much misappre-
of the Washington Aqueduct and the water supply
now available, beg leave to lay before You the
following: ...
The masonry conduit of the aqueduct is COM
plet-d with the exception of a few short connec-
lions at the mouths Of tunnels. In tunnel at
the Great Fails about 300 feet remain to be executed
loo feet OF this tunnel having been already COM
pleted. In one other tunnel there thirty feet
yet to be executed. All the other tunnels are fin
ished.
Two bridges-one at Cabin John Creek and one
the Great Falls, small portion has been con-
structed.
Upon the completion Of the two tunnels and the
Cabin JObn bridge. which must wait another APP
preparation from Congress. the water from the
Great Falls can be brought into the city. The
ceiving reservoir, near the Little Falls. is com
pleted. Its surface is rs feet above high tide
level its is SO acres its greatest depth 40 feet
The gate houses and gates at this reservoir I'm
ished and in use. Into this reservoir flows never
falling stream, which at the present time supplies
the Treasury, War Department. Post Office De
partInent most Of the hotels in Washim gtOn, sew
eral stables manufactures, &c, in Georgetown
and Washington, the fountain at the Capitol the
marine barracks and many private dwellings.
la addition tO this. a large stream flows out of
the waste channel at the reservoir, which have
not lately guaged, but which l suppose wastes
several million gallons daily.
From this receiving reservoir to the site of the
distributing reservoir, distance of two miles and
Il half the masonry conduit Or aqueduCt is COM
pleted. All the necessary gate-houScs So far
advanced as To be in Use and give proper control
Of the water.
A twelve-inch main pipe extends from the dis
tributng reservoir. nv Bridge street. Georgetown,
and Pennsylvania avenue, TO the Navy Yard, and
is filed with water
This pipe has connected with il pipes leading
TO the Patent Office, Post Office. Observatory, City
Hall. fountain at the Capitol, &c.
Other pipes have been laid on the north side OF
the canal leading tn the Smithsonian and To the
Arsenal but the failure Of the appropriation hay
ing compelled suspension Of work upon the pipe
line in order retain funds to pay for the compile
ton OF outstanding orders pipes. &c. no pipe
has vet been laid across the canal to lead the wa
ter tO the pipes already laid on the Island.
The thirty-inch main, which will extend from
the distributing reservoir to the Capitol. has
IN all been cast at the foundries. and are being
rapidly delivered and the pipes as fast as proved
handed out and placed along the route they
are to occupy. They cannot be laid, however
until another appropriation supplies the means.
The twelve-inch pipe should discharge under
full head about two millions Of gallons daily,
which Is sufficient for ali those houses 10 which
"A -tri fDsF min he nleH
by the city before the thiItyinch main is laid and
the Aqueduct completed to the Great Falls by
Congress.
During the spring and fall I think that the
stream which flows into the reservoir can be de-
pended upon for an average supply OF nearly two
millions of gallons, and that the full head Of one
hundred and fOrty-fye feet will be preserved in
the reservoir.
In the heats Of summer the stream is much
smaller, but the water can be drawn through the
Aqueluct until the reservoir surface is lowered
ten feet In so doing, a reserve or store Of one
hundred millions Of gallons will be drawn from
the reservoir in addition to what the stream sup
plies daily during the greatest drOughts- This is
a supply of two millions a day for fifty days.
There need, therefore, think, be no apprehen-
sion Of an insufficient supply for domestic Pur-
poses. 10 prevent the city from entering at once
upon the work Of laying the distributing pipes
under the act Of Congress.
The water now supplied Is soft, sweet. and Of
good quality. Though not as clear as the CrotOn
water, ii is clearer than that furnished To X ch-
mOnd, and 10 many other cities, and those who
have introduced it into their houses use il with
Until the distributing reservoir is completed.
and the Potomac water Introduced, the water will
always be liable to be turbid, and indeed will
probably not at any time become quite clear.
cannot too strongly urge the importance of at
once entering upon the work Of laying the dis
tributing pipes
Iron is cheap. and labor is abundant The loan
authorized by Congress should lay il judiciously
mana yed, in Washington and Georgetown some
forty nifty miles Of pipe.
The Government mains so laid that the CITY
will be sufficiently supplied for many years by
laying only four inch and six inch pipe, and but
few Of the latter.
As of interest at this time enclose some OBJ
servaiiOns in regard To the Introduction Of water
into houses. By observing the precautions here
recommended, much loss and Inconvenience from
the freezing Of pipes will he avoided
am, very respectfully, your obi servant.
(Signed) NJ Z. MEIGs,
Captain Of Engineers
in charge Of the Washington Aqueduct.
Leaden pi pes should be used; ii should be Ave
eighths Of am inch bore, weighing not less than
three and half pounds 10 the foot in length. IL
should be conducted through such part of the
cellar as will afford the best protection against
frost. To the kitchen sink ROOM, where the
most constant supply will DE required.
From any part Of this pipe. a vertical branch
Water may be desired, (whe:e the thirty-inch
main is laid, the water will rise 10 any room ia
Washington, even If il should not SO At presently
The vertical branch should be carried zap near
one exposed Ia the outer air. This will, gener
ally, in this climate, secure the parties against
freezing. All pipes not thus secured, should be
laid with such an inclination as will enable them
10 BE- emptied nj night or in extreme cold weather,
Dy discharge cock in the cellar or Basement
Pipes in being carried through coal cellars
should be carefully protected against frost Ii is
desirable that the P pes should be accessible for
repair.
with these precautions, aud skillful plumber
TO ad just the fixtures, the water may be carried 10
any part OF the house at tie pleasure Of the occu
pant Those who desire To avoid the expense OF
such fixtures may draw the water ON a single
sioP-cock or -hydrant. in the cellar. kitchen, or
a sink, with a pipe and drain To carry of the
waste water
The quantity to be removed is mnch larger than
when the water is not brought into the house by
pi Pcs being. for family Of ten persons. aver
aye of ten barrels day, and in summer some
times thirty barrels day.
(SignedD NJ L. MsIGs;
Chief Engineer Washington Aqueduct.
March -. 1859.