Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-03-10
our Water Su ppIy.

Perhaps this is the most deeply interesting
question that concerns the future or our city
The City Council are awake to the necessity o
providing some means to meet the future de
mands in this regard during the dry summer
season, when the water in the BraDdywine is low
aud 10 secure supply that is pure and free from
dirt and filth, when the stream is high and the
water muddy by reason of rains and freshets
To make certain OF the first they have wisely
abandoned the idea of leaving tide-water
and removing the pumping works up the
Brandywne. To abandon tide-water, as We
maintained years ago, is to commit an error that
might cost many years of regret. 1t is very
questionable whether the supply from tide
water might not be increased to an almost inde
fuite amount. Let this be once settled and the
only question that remains is 10 escape the ne
cessity OF pumping impure water after heavy
rains. Certainly We must have a reservoir where
the water may be stored to supply the city with
out pumping while the Bandywine water is
dirty after heavy rains. To secure this object in
the cheapest way, is what the City Council have
been aiming to do for many years. and the way
that has been suggested by the several CON-
mittees Of excellent and careful gentlemen, is to
erect an immense basin on the western slope ofthe
city. This is costly mode and one that would
fail if long rainy season should set in, as any
other mode would fail also. Such reservoir as
is demanded would probably cost between $500,
600 and S2j0,OO0, perhaps $4,000, by the
time the works were completed. The city is asking
for a loan OF 100000. This is heavy sum- and
it is wise to consider whether it is absolutely
necessary to cKpend 1t at this time; and
whether 1t is not possible to find place for the
storage Of water along the BrandyWine, that |
could be built cheaper and from which the flow |
during the rainy season could be shut out. 1t is
certainly worth considering whether an artificial |
lake might not be formed along the Brandywino, !
either below the mills, or above the race, into |
which the water would flow, and from which it |
might be shut out by gates, and by gates turned |
into the race when the gates 10 1t were closed to
keep out dirty water. The race might possibly /
be made deeper, and an enclosure made in the /
Brondywine 10 save the water that now escapes \
over the wheel. To do this il would probably be
necessary to buy one of the mills. But if the
plan is feasible, it would seem that place might
be had for lake or basin, where one side and
the ends would be all that would be necessary TO
embank; the natural rocky hillside serving ad.
milably for the other II seems 10 us that with
$4,000 the city ought TO be furnished with such
u lake, and great natural park also. Our very
efficient Chief Engineer might examine the locali-
ties with the head oflhe Water Department, who
certainly understand the wants Of the city and
are conversant with the whole section in which a
lake would have TO be built TO accomplish the
purpose.
Perhaps If there was some vay of making
100000 properly serve the ends desired, and We
think 1t ought, necessity for the appointment Of
Water Commissioners wonld not exist.