The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-07-31
The BrooLIyn water works. .

| ~ "c EutOT " tue FfcSS.
The act to incorporate the Brooklyn Water
Works under the name of the Nassau Water
Company was passed by the Legislature in
| April, 1856 The capital stock was fixed at
$4,000 900. with power to increase it to $6OOO,-
600. In February, 1857, an act was passed au-
thorizing the city of Brooklyn to purchase the
stock of the company at the par value thereof
with seven per cent. interest added from the
date of its issue, provided the shareholders file
written consent. This was done, whereupon
all the contracts, property and rights of the
Nassau w alter Company vested in the city of
Brooklyn. Money was raised on water bonds
issued by the city, and the work went ON Wig.
orouslyl Di Uof 83jlW sfddi-- iBa- a1a-
In April, 1859, another act was passed plac-
ing the works under the control of perma-
nent Water Board as soon as 10000, 900 gallons
of water were distributed daily. This board
consists of four members called Water Com
missioners, who now have exclusive control of
the works. They are appointed by the Mayor
and confirmed by the Common Council, and
each receives an annual salary, fixed by the
act, of $500. They appoint Chief Engineer,
a Water Register, a Water PUrveyor and other
subordinate officers, and manage the entire
Water Department The present Commits
sioners are Gamaliell King; Daniel l.. North
up, Peter g. Taylor, and VIM. A. Fowler;
Chief Engineer, Moses Lane, These Commits
sioners also have the exclusive control, super
fntendence and management of all the City
{ Sewers, a position Of great responsibility and
influence. anita on s.ta .,fef ~ II
b The quantity of water used daily from the
Water Works by the people of Brooklyn, for
the past seven years, has averaged as follows:
1890 s;ass,soo gallons 1864 s,2s5,oro gallons
49, 49, a sSS 1 isss !, gssssS
1858 6,77s,600 -" $40 iFiFT 1890 20 1'
The increase has been about % per cent per
annum; and, at this rate, the quantity for 1867
will be about 100000 gallons daily; and for
the year 1863 about II 100000 gallons Here
very important question may be asked demon.
strating the great value 81 these works. What
would Brooklyndo if cut off from this 14OOO,-
600 gallons daily for only one weekly
The whole length of main and distributing
pipe laid in the city, is now over one hundred
and eighty-three miles. During the last wear
seven miles were laid. All the pipes are coated
with Smiths patent coal-pitch yarnish to pre-
vent corrosion. In order to make the supply
OF water more permanent and to pour into the
city in any emergency larger amount, The
Department one year ago received power to
lay second main pipe Of 4s inches from the
Ridgewood reservoir. The expense of this
new main will be about 81 100000. 1t will re-
quire about six months more to complete it.
When the six ponds now in use to supply
water were first made available to the CITY.
the water was brought through an open con-
duit Or camel. 1t was soon demonstrated that
this would not answer, and closed conduit
was built at an expense of half million dol
lars. Picket fences have been built around
the ponds; several of them have been drawn
off and cleared of muck and silt; and all are
Kept clear of lilies, grasses and all vegetable
matter The water is as pure and clear as the
pures' spring water, and by many is preferred
.ne Oro'on OF New York, which comes from
high elevation. "hI
The constructionof Brooklyn Water Works
from the start has been success. The eno;-
neering has been Of the best description. and
the expenditures economically managed. 1t was
seen at the commencement that, on account of
the Typographical character of Long Island,
head or WATERFORD must be obtained by arti-
hclal means. This many other cities have not
been obliged to do. The elevation or lifting
the water into the reservoirs is an expensive
process At the Ridgewood reservoir are two
engines for pumping which cost $4,000 each.
Engines Of less power or less expensive mech
anism could not be depended on, and it is said
that to make the safety of the supply of water
undOubted after the new main is mt in opera-
ton, another engine must be put in which
will now cost about 80 per cent more than the
Others At the Mount Prospect reservoir is
only one engine. After the new engine is put
in, the whole expense of the four will amount
to more than 100000. This is quite an item,
winch Brooklyn is obliged to submit to on &C.
count OF location. The supply of fuel, repairs,
anu cost OF the labor connected with the en-
s En- ana pumps the past year, has been over
%'oVU IN the Ridgewood reservoir during
'ne last year the greatest depth of water was
neaa ~ leet' This was in April, and gave over
looWO,OOO gallons as the contents A. tho
same time Mount Prospect reservoir con,a;n.
ed over 100000 gallons, both holding in Con-
tnued elevation for the use of the citu dbl,
one month over ia, 100000 gallons of water
The total receipts of the Water Department
nom Jan. l, 1866, to Jan. 1, 1867, from regular
water rates, extra rates, water permits and
payment OF defaults, was $462, 619.O4, being