, 1873-07-27
Ube UbIeaDp M2ibn1ar.

Sunday Morning, July 27, 1873.
THE NEW CITY WATER WORKS.
Tho people Of Chicago havo cause for grattft-
cation that tho measure for tho oxtonsion OF the
Nater-supply, which mas interrupted by tho fro,
has takcn practical shape, and ia now under con-
struction. Tho general scheme embraces two
distinct works, but both egsonua1 to any enlarged
system Of wator-supp1y. The fret IL tho con-
etr1otion Of a second tunnel under tho lake,
from tho site Of the prosont Water-WorkB to tho
crib. Tho Importance Of this work cannot ho
oyerratod. Tho city is now dependent
on tho ono tunnel for its supply OF wator.
Tho demand for wator ia continuous It admits
Of no suspension Of tho pumps. The wator CAN
not bo turnod of an hour, and consequently
thoro Is no opportunity givon for m examination
Of tho tunnel. nor to clean it, nor to ropnir 1t,
should 1t mead repairing. In case Of IN accident
to the tunnel, it would involve an absolute cut
Ing OIL Of tho whole wator-supply Of tho city un-
til such timo as tho dnmago could bo repaired
md our people hnye painful remembrance of
what is involved in suspension OF wator-
supply and rosort to oiBtornB and tie
river, to say nothing OF tic Increased
danger from FIRE. The new tunnel will
run parallel with the old ono, md, whom CON-
plotod, will ba connected with tho wells under
tho pumpa. This will admit tho occasional dis
uso Of either Of the two, that thorc may be
frequent examination and Bucl proyontiyo
measures adopted Us experience aud timo nay
suggest. Tho first tunnel had d capacity OF
65O00,000 gallons day. Tho two will furnish
i25,000000 gallons every twonty-four hours,
leaving NO question as to the Adequacy OF tho sup
ply from tho 1ako for many years to como. Eyon
when tho timo comes that these will bo ineufi-
cient 1T will be only necessary to construct third
tunnel, or fourth, or as many rs may DO
NODDED. Tho tunnel will 10 q fraction over two
miles long. Moro tlan half milo has already
bcon constructed, and the work progresses at an
average of 16 feet por day.
While this work is steadily progressing under
tho bed OF Lalso Michigan, another and equally
important one Inns just beou begun. This is the
construction of similar tunnel, from tho land
terminus of the lako tunnels 10 tho site OF the
now pumping works, near the corner Of Ash
1and avenue and Twenty SECOND stroot. This
work 1as bccn contracted for, aud has boon ao-
tual1y begun. From its nature it can be
prosecuted as well in tho winter aa a my other
time, and by night Us we'll Us BY day. Tho time
fi1od for it's completion is 1875, and tho time Is
ample. Tho whole digtauce-which will bo In an
= cir lino-ls fraction losa tlan three miles and
threo-quarterB. The work will be prosecuted at
various points ut tho same timo. Shafts so foot
leop and 10 feet in diameter will be sunk, rs
follows: i, on Chicago aycnuo; 2, Oh Illinois
street; 8, on South Wolls atroot, near Randolph
{, on Jackson, near Clinton; +, On Polk street,
noar Ha,ated; 6, on Wailor Btroot; 7, on Ro'
bocca street, near Contre avenue; 8, on Eine.
teonth street, near Blue Island avenue; md o.
ut the terminus. This number Of shafts may be
inoronsea hereafter. The miners will worl
both ways from each shaft, thus enabling
two gangs to be employed at eaci
ahaft. Tho general mode Of work will bo tht
eamo as in tho lake tunnols tho mon with th'
picks in tue advance, with tho bricklayerB FOL
lowing close after them tho excavatod clay be
ing moved By tramwaya to tho shaft, md thenct
sent up to bo cartod off.
1t the woatern terminus Of this tunnel thcr
will bo erected q duplicate OF the presout Water
Works. There is no reason why tho necoaaar'
building may not bo constructed aud the ma
chinory placed in it while tho work on tho tsn
~ in, lin ftyf in, In fifne
Is taking up on certain lines Of stroot tn
small minis laid down somo years age
and replacing them with larger ones
thereby making tho distribution moro equal i
al parts Of tho city. Much of the power no
wasted will DO thou saved, The force Of tho tn
pumping Embellishments will be applied to th
whole syston of mains and supply -plpea, and til
present failure, at times, to forco tho watcrnb
tho second story Of buildings will be rometllo'
Tho consumption Of wator IN Chicago Is emo
mous. Tho progressive increnso ID shown in ii
flguros Of the amount pumped annually for Sc
ernl years. In 1853, tho average daily consuml
tion was ,0o1 ,413 gaions in 1868. it was &, 400
2os gallonB; in 1906 it was 8,G81, 1856 gallon
the highest boing 10,022, 104; in 1867, Il
first year Of the lake tunnel, the daily ayoral
consumption roachcd II, ,562, ,273 gallons; in 1856
Tho daily consumption in July was 1o,414,4
gallons; in 1870, it reached in midsummer or
22,0G0,000, and now, in 1878, it IL nearly 81, ,00(
600 gallons daily, and largo portion Of tho ci
III not yet furnished with soryico-pipes.
These Agnres indirectly give III Indication
the increase Of population in tho city. Tho la
tunnel wnH first used in March, 1867, the wnt
previously used having become dotostaDle fru
!ho vaallinga OF the rvor flowing into t.
baHin or the pumping-worhH. 1t IT
bo seen, also, TINT III very fow yea
Tho water aomand would hayo oqun!ol I
capacity of tho single lako tuunol, md scco
lako tunnel would have beon o neceasity. T