The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-06-27
City Water.

Filter, filter, 6lter-it certainly re-
quires it. The citizens hear almost daily
that new flterer is to be used or put
in. SO that the city water will resume it's
pristine purity. Filtering our pure
spring water is something new to all, but
more especially to our old Inhabitants;
and why it has become necessary to sub
ject the city water to process OF purifi-
cation, is something novel and ntartling.
There is something rotten in Denmark,
when water has to undergo purifying
before it is fit to drink. Have the
springs failed. that recourse must be
made to the river? If so, it must be de.
trimental to health add dangerous ex-
pertinent. A change OF water to men
md animals always throws the system
out OF gear. Does the contract give the
right to the Columbia Water Power
Company to furnish ricer ,oa.er for tho
use Of the inhabitants? This matter
should be looked into by tho proper au-
thorities. Pure water is indispensable
to the health OF the people; and pure
spring water, clear and sparkling, is
what our people have been accus.
toned to use. Do not the same springs
exist? Does not the same pure
water still ooze from its natural bed,
the sources from whence the city has de-
rived its supply for many, many years
past? The head spring that gushes
forth it's waters in Sidney Park is still at
work. This WAS the first water used in
the city. Tho steam engine then used
for the purpose of throwing this wnter
up into the old reservoir was in tho park !;
the basin on the hill in front of Colonel
Alexander Taylor's residence. In after
years it was deemed necessary to enlarge
the works. At this time the present
distributing and receiving reservoirs were
built; also. a much larger engine pur-
chased. This was the first fatal mistake
OF our city fathers. For at that time they
ought to have erected water power in
stead OF steam, and it would have been
furnished to the city for that purpose
for trife By the State in 1854. The
engine party carried the day. and the
works we're placed in the steam mill lot,
where they have always done good work,
by supplying the oity with pure water
and plenty OF it. The water in Sidney
Park was economised and run down to
the basin in iron pipes; besides which
the waters from several springs were
conveyed to the same spot. Among
them Rogers spring, situated in
the ravine near Messrs. Kind g.
Goldsmith's City Foundry, bold
gushing spring, If carefully hoarled,
would supply half of the city itself. With
this bountiful supply, water was abun-
dant for all city purposes at all seasons
OF the year. Tho hardest trial the works
were ever subjected to- was during the
| war. The city at that time was COM
puted to contain about 10000 inhabit-
ants, eighteen stationary engines, large
manufactures for the making of money,
Dc. o.-one in particular, with two large
fountains constantly playing night and
day, in order to have moist atmos.
phere;a Government distillery and la-
boratory-all Of which were supplied
from the City Water Works with pure
spring water, and plenty of it. 10 use
water power instead of steam, would be
we'll, If it was O matter of economy. Jt
Was understood that the same spring
water was to be used for drinking pur.
poses. the only difference being in the
motive power. The people are begin
ming to think they are paying dear for
the whistle. The old works, with plen
tiful supply Of good. wholesome water,
cost from $4,000 to $1,000 per annum
the Lew works, supplying the city with
dirty-looking water, from tho river, it is
said, costing SIG, 900 per annum. Look
upon that picture and then upon this,
and sec what the citizens make
by this splendid operation of our City
Council. with Mayor Alexander at the
head. The making OF the contract was
wrong; the price too much by 5000 a
year, and the terms too long by ter
years. Wrong, altogether wrong, that q
people should be so imposed upon, and
# the fault lays with the Columbia Waite,
Power Company, they should he sum
marily dealt with. Any man or set OF
men who would tamper with the health
OF community in case like this. to say
the least, are criminals. II would bo fa,
preferable to abrogate the contract, 20
back tc first prino;pl and have pure
water 10 drink thst requires no filtering
HEALTH.