The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-24
LARGEST RESERVOIR IN THE WORLD
What the Philsdslphians Ara Dcang-A WAITE
Receptacle That Covers l04 Acres of Ground,
Holds 750,000,O00 Gallons Of.
Water and Will Cost a, 600, 200.

For years past the enemies OF Lne quaker City
have dubbed 1t an "oyergrown village" and when
ridicule was wanting victim the city OF shrewd
lawyers and PREDETERMINED hats was certain to
come In for Its full share. ''rmes" however,
shave changed and Philadelphia to-day, Tor It's
go-ahead rings and shrewd business men, has no
equal on the Continent. Politically speaking, IL
casts New York completely In the shade. although
the greater portion Of its wire-pulers are appren
tees In the business.
Last week 1t was rumored in certain usually wells
informed circles that big screw was loose some.
where in and about the Water Department, and
that moneys were being paid out to parrles con-
nected with the new East Park Storage Reservoir
that was not warranted by the original contract.
To ascertain the truthfulness OF the report your
correspondent called upon several gentlemen con-
versant with every detail In connection with the
reservoir and he found to his satisfaction that it
was canard. While on this errand he gained
much valuable Information In regard to
THIS GREAT RESERVOIR,
which shows conclusively that for enterprise and
doing ''big things' under adverse surroundings
the Simon Pure Philadelphians cannot be beat.
This city, like New York, has been increasing In
population SO rapidly during the past eight or ten
years that the water supply has been found to be
inadequate for the demands. Various remedies
had been proposed to meet this properly, but In
almost every instance the schemes involved an
outlay OF too large sum. When, therefore, the
Croton Board Of New York, year or so back. pur-
chased large tract OF ground above their reser-
voir for the storage Of water in anticipation of q
water famine, the idea OF storage reservoir sug.
gested itself to the authorities OF this CITY, In 1879
the water in the Schuylkili River was so low, owing
to the drought, that for the first time, the people
really became frightened, and, during the Fall OF
that year, the Board Of Engineers Of the Water De-
suitable location for the building Of storage reser
vor. This they succeeded in doing, alter much
labor, and tract OF land covering 2.fa
ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR ACRES,
running from Thrtythird street TO Diamond street,
was hit upon and was secured to the city for that
purpose very cheap. little later in the same year
the surveys were made and ground was broken Cd
what is destined when finished, TO be the largest
Berlin, Prussia It win be third larger than tina
storage reservoir OF New York. and will make two
OF both those located at Cincinnati and st. Louis.
lance Of twelve feet below the Level and the earth
taken out by carts, and hosting apparatus Is used
to fill in the embankment surrounding the inn
mense pool Of fresh, pure Schuylktll River water,
which, by the way far surpasses your Crot0n water,
Inc Wu snnnr Ss g e SH ctv
twenty-three days
The water level Of the reservoir Will be 1856 feet
above the city datum and will be divided into two
divisions by an embankment which viii be raised
not quite to the normal height OF the water In tho
reservoir so that when the reservoir is filed the
bank viii not show and the surface will present
the appearance Of q single sheet OF water nearly
one hundred acres in area. The banks win be OF
immense thickness, to protect the main walls. The
base OF the outside walls will be 100 ieet III width,
tnlrty-ve feet in height, and fifteen feet in width
across the top. The whole will be lined with the
best hard brick manufactured in the city, OF which
tt Is estimated that sixteen million will be re.
Qured. The ground upon which this colossal re.
ceiver is being built Is peculiarly adapted tor the
purpose, as 1t Is hard and is devoid OF sand OF
gravel. When the walls are completed the bottom
will be covered with waterproof substance SINH
lar to that laid down at the Union Square Park.
The innuent and effluent chambers will be located,
one ut Thirty third street aud montgomery avenue
and the other at Thirty-third and Norris streets
THREE IMMENSE ENGINES
placed ct the Spring Garden Water Works, Thirty
third and Thompson streets, will be used TO supply
the storage reservoir with water throughout tho
seasons. The main pipes leading to IL rom the
foot OF Grand avenue and the Schlylkill River Will
furnish the water, and w0rkmen are now engaged
In dredging the river at the point mentioned for
the reception OF 36-inch pipes The Cornthian
street and Paramount Water Works will also DO
connected with the new reservoir.
The old Paramount Water Works Will still be used,
II not for Its valuable services for It's old and hon.
orable career in times past. The year 1876 Is de-
signed to witness Its completion, and three thou
sand lab0rers, under the superintendent Mr..
Charles Porter are employed daily for this object
their weekly salaries amounting to 100000.
The whole cost OF building the reservoir Is eStt-
mated at $4,00O,G00. The city has now in use $50
miles OF water pipe, the greater portion OF which
has been laid down since the year 1855, and one Of
the most serious difficulties encountered Is their
in great measure when the new storage reser-
vOir Is completed. The following table SLOWS the
average number of gallons or
WATER USED DAILY IN PHILADELPHIA