Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-01
loral anu State Mems.
Pure Water for Augusta.
History and Description of the Works of
the Augusta Water Co.


some grand and capacious reservoir, formed
by her own hands, for supplying the nhabi-
tants of the city with an abundance of pure
water. Many municipalities have availed
themselves of these natural advantages; but
in Augusta, with the exception of Mr. De-
vines enterprise-a private one-our citizens
have had to depend for water upon their wells
and cisterns and reservoirs. The State House
has been supplied with water from springs in
the hills beyond for some time. But no gen.
eral effort has been made until recently to
bring to the doors of our citizens pure water
from the never failing springs in the hills
northwest of the city.
Some four years since, Hon. Warren John
son made determination of the land referred
TO, lying short distance in the rear of the
State House, including the sheet of water
known as "kennedy Brook" He became
SATISFIED that, with Improvements, it could be
made an almost inexhaustible reservoir for
supplying the citizens of Augusta with pure
water He accordingly purchased the tract
OF land, comprising twenty five acres, known
at that time as the 'Smith pasture" and has
since added to it ten acres, so as to have con-
troll OF the property in the immediate vicinity
IN 1871 company was formed and incorpor-
ated by the legislature, called the "Augusta
Water Company" for the improvement of the
property, laying aqueducts, and the supply
ing OF water to different parts of the city.
Whatever was done the first year or two
amounted to little more than experiments,
such as the building of earthworks and a
wooden dam, which were carried away the
first spring freshet. But within the past year
or more, Mr.. johnson, who has the whole
matter in charge, has taken hold of the work
in earnest. At the mouth of Kennedy brook,
which is the outlet of the water and one of
the reservoirs, a substantial stone dam has
been built, combining natural pond which
when full flows about two acres. The dam
is sixty feet in length forty feet wide at the
base, and twelve feet at the top. To break
| the force of great pressure of water, the
dam is arched towards the source of the
stream. This brook is surrounded by hills,
covered with fir, spruce and maple growth
1t depends upon the springs in the adjoining
hills for its supply of water. At the present
time, in the midst of this severe drouth, the
water is eight or ten feet deep, clear and
transparent, the sandy bottom of the pond be-
ing clearly discernable The pond is not
stagnant, the chosen home of tadpoles,
rogs and other creatures, that would make
he water impure; but the waters are indeed
living waters pure and sweet.
And now the question is, will the supply of
Tater be equal to the demand? We consider
hat no question at all. Connected with this
ond there is a regular chain of lakelets, fed
lso by springs. There is crb-work dam
I the mouth of the pond above Kennedy
rock. This brook will flow an area of five
cres and will form what is called a supply
nservoir. The clay Of the land" is such that
damage can be done to adjoining property
fowage. Should the demand for water be.
Pme greater than this chain of lakelets can
pply, (and that is altogether improbable).
en- the proprietor of the works will tap
G Annabescook lake, few miles distant,
iich would give water enough to supply the
tire State of Maine. 50 that failure of
tier is not thought Of
At the outlet, where the water is drawn Off
I'm the dam into the aqueduct, ample pro-
ion is made for rendering it absolutely
re and free from all extraneous matter.
water is taken into the tlume through
Fix, wire screen, and a filter of gravel.
alter can be drawn off entirely from the
v,n NJ ,.,to
necessary. Two water pipes lead from
bottom Of the flume-a service and a
tie pipe. These are so arranged with gates
conductors, that they can be connected
flow together, or be used independently.
the purest water in any pond lies near
the surface, the fume is so constructed
tie water is served to customers from the
ace of the pond
is the present plan to lay the water
from the reservoir down Capitol to State
ct, down State to Winthrop street, and
thence down Winthrop hill to Water
et. AT the junction of State and Grove
Ft, branch supply pipe will extend down
Re to Water street, and through the latter
It to the railroad bridge. This will close
seasons operations. A good job has
IDLY been done in that direction. The
es have been opened and the supply pipe
10 near the junction of State and Grove
Is. 1t is hoped to have the water rush
hrough the pipe into customers stores
houses by the middle or last of the present
h. There will be pressure of 1870 feet
Tater street, and the outlet is n feet
higher than the highest point on State
), near the Cushnoc House. So there
(e no trouble about ready supply.
johnson made thorough examination
various kinds of water conductors, be-
purchasing. 1t must be the opinion of
Rt he made a wise choice in selecting
as it is the best and safest conductor Of
that can be found, and is free from
hing that is in the least poisonous.
fpe is made by Hobbie, Ayrault & Co.,
ir extensive works in Elmira, N. Y.
Inability of the pine filed with ,yater