The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-03-08

The annual report Of the Superintendent
az the Water.Wo ork5 represents the water
department, although 1t is very extensive
and complicated one, to be generally In very
good condition considering the immense area
over which the works are spread and the
mapy parts 80 constantly In use. But few
accidents have occurred during Che year, and
notie Of a serious character. The division
Of the CITY into two water districts, and con.
seuuent increase in the pressure upon the
pipes aud other fixtures, produced much ap-
prehension as to their strength, but up to
this time no leak Of any great importance
has been seen, and everything seems to work
well. The strain now, perhaps, is as great
as It will ever be, except from shocks natu.
rally induced By the closing of stop.cocks
and re-plugs, and other causes incidental
to work Of this kind.
A work of such vital importance as the
water supply of q city cannot be watched
too closely, and the supply should always be
equal to the demand. II pumps are used
they should be so duplicated that when one
set is out OF order another is ready to take
their place. This is matter too often ioGt
sight Of by those in authority.
The pumping surply Of these works is not
more than adequate to supply the consump-
ton, considering the time necessary to re-
pair and keep in good working order
the machinery. The increase OF press
ure In the city by a division OF the
supply into two districts-one IRON the
old and the other from the new reservoir
has very naturally added to the consumption;
and as the summer approaches it will be still
increased. It is holed, however, that sys-
temstc monthly inspection by the police
(which bas been ordered) of all premises
where the city water is used will 80 reduce
the consumption that the pumps will be able
to keep up the supply another year. II this
eau be done, however, it should cause no
delay in increasing the power of the works.
as this is matter OF utmost Importance, aIo
one 10 which the supply Of the city ls In.
volved. The new pumps mos. and 81 may
be considered the entire reliance to supply
the new reservoir. They are ponderous ano
complicated mass of machinery, and are
much more liable to get out of order than
the old pumps. Several difficulties have oc'
Cured since these pumps were put perma'
nently to work into the new reservoir. one
of very important character has been over
come By an invention OF Mr.. A. Calder, as
sistant superintendent. This invention is
new piston, packed with tarred rope; the
old one being a corrugated brass ring, with
leather cups, which lasts only day or two
before the cups have to be removed. Pumps
working under such strain as these pOC
pounds per square inch) must require more
or less adjusting all the time. These pumps
were turned from the old to the new reser.
voir By stop cocks arranged for this purpose
November 80, 1875, and now worked under
an increased elevation of thirty.seven feel
above the old reservoir and about 1000 teet
farther. Although their labor has materially
increased land beyond their original esti'
mate of power) still their performance Is sat
isfacsory. During the past year there bas
been laid in various streets 3,349 feet of four
inch aud 1896 feet of six incn mains; i've
fire. plugs and eight stop-slocks two OF the
latter being inserted in the old mains. There
were 255 new connections made during the
year for supplying new and old buildings
many of which are fitted up with all the
modern style of water fixtures, which tend
very materially to increase the consump ptiou
and as nearly all buildings are now provided
with underground drainage, no waste OF
leakage can be detected exceptby thorough
examination of all Water.fxtures connected
with all premises.