The daily gazette., 1876-11-24
FIRST EDITION!
The Cool Spring Reservoir
It's Cost and Present
Condition.
How Much Money ,Uil, Finish II.

Gil IN RELATION TO THE COOL SPRING
REsERvoIR-HIs ESTIMATE OF THE
AMOUNT NECESSARY TO COMPLETE
THE WORK.
At the meeting of City Council, last
night, the following report from G. II.
Gallagher, Chief Engineer of the Water
Department. lin relation to the Cool Spring
Reservoir, was read:
Col. Febiger, Chairman of the Water
Committee:
Dear Sir: desire to make the follow
ing statement of fact in relation to the
Cool Spring Reservoir, believing that
Council should have knowledge of its
condition and cost, as well as to give
them, briefly, an estimate of the probably
cost of completing the same:
First. 1t appears that the drain which
was commenced, add digging complied
as far the Rodney spring on Franklin
street, has been abandoned; in fact, the
outlet is cnmmpletely stopped, so that the
water from the head springs which this
| drain was intended to cut off is backed
up to its original source,and finds its out
let through the south banking into the
reservoir.
Second. The bottom of the reservoir
Is underlaid by system Of drainage,
through 2, 3 and finch cast iron pipes
which are intended to conduct the water
from the springs undertaking the reser-
voir. The placing of underdrain pipes
under a work of this kind is of doubtful
expediency, and may prove. a serious
mistake and If not remedied now, may in
the future become unmanageble. In one
section of the reservoir the underdrain
pipes are loaded and caulked at the
joints, while in the other section they
are simply placed in position, without
any tic or fastening. lnderdrain pipes
beneath work of this magnitude are
dangerous, from the fact that if by acci-
dent break occurs in them, it would
be almost impossible to repair it and the
repairs could not be made without great
trouble and expense. Aside from this
the escaping water might, unnoticed
gradually wear away the earth-work, as
such an extent as would !ieopardize the
safety of the work, as well as imperil the
lives and property Of persons living
above the Valley of Shipley Run.
Third. The earthwork comprising the
embankments of the reservoir seems to
be we'll and thoroughly constructed, and
appears to be sufficiently strong to resist
the pressure of water in the reservoir.
Fourth. By reference to an estimate of
the cost of the reservoir, Gan estimate Of
which is appended, marked Az it will be
seen that up to the present time the act
ual outlay of money on account OF the
uncompleted Cool Spring Reservoir cx-
J ceeds the estimate of cost as given by
'. Mr.. Morris for the reservoir completed
over $43 900. (See statement appended
, and marked By.
, A careful survey of the work yet to be
done before the reservoir is completed re-
veals the fact that it will involve the ex-
penditure of large amount of money
: as per annexed statement:
1884 yards of clay required for pud-
ding, $43.935
1.47O. 900 bricks laid, 24.990
Cement and concrete under bricks 5.91C
Gravel and sand for do, 1.0OC
4 Add contingencies drain, fencing
7 &C., lo.oo,
Total. 500. 1856
There seems to be misapprehension
o on the part OF some of the people as t.
% our storage or reservoir capacity, and il
IT would be we'll to say that the total storage
capacity of the reservoirs of the city is
about 100000 gallons, or about ont
= DAYS supply during the month of August
An accident happening during this montl
which would involve delay of NOR
than one days pumping would leave tn
e entire city without water, while in fac
there should be sufficient capacity to al
low the pumps to remain idle during
) continuance of bad weather, or when til
water is turbid, that the citizens be nc
annoyed with muddy water for ordinar,
use, and the manufacturers allowed +
have settled and clear water for thei
~ purposes. .
~ As far back as the year 1867 a com
1e mittee of citizens, composed of Messr'
T. e. Belts, w. T. Porter, John Jones, jess
r Sharp and VIM Candy, in their rcpor
'h TO Council recommended that on
y or more large reservoirs b.
e built that would hold at least ten week
10 10 supply for the city," Use capacity of IL
new reservoir is about 2S 600 600 gallon
to or about fifteen days supply. .(See estima
of cost, marked b.
Acting upon the presumption that Il
city intends to finish the new reservoi
al and as the time is approaching when a
propriations are to be made for the yea
or authority to borrow money to be o
100 tained from the Legislature, l thought
e e,c best that you should know about q q
amount of money it would require to ii
M ish the work. In conclusion l wou
ee eer recomend that if in the opinion of Il
IN CITY Council they think it best to proce'
id- with the work of finishing the reservo
eep @p that plans and specifications be prepare re
ng. and proposals asked from competent entIp, pe
ira sons. If the work is done by. contra'
&c under proper supervision and by expel
. ON enced contractors, there is no doubt
will result in great saving to the cit
7 and will give more general satisiactl' s'i,,cil
: to the tax payers. That the reservoir
needed and should be completed at
wn early a time as possible must be appa,,re
nts to every member of Council as wei wen +;
,,o every citizen, not only because Oh tl'e
1, zel, prov, 4 .uali yofthewi tor bu lbeci
days delay only adds to the cost oi
| work hereafter.