Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-09
CITY AFFAIRS.
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITARY CON-
OlTl0N.
A Visit to the Water Works and Reservoir
Meeting Of the Two Committees
= Recommendations
TO Council.

As the diphtheria scare, by familiar
ity. gradually diminishes in intensity,
the public mind turns to another, and
most important subject, namely, the
water works. In this connection, the
question offered for solution is, how
shall we preserve our water sup
DIV. 1t is very evident that
something must be done, and
TO cover the want with the city's linn
tied purse, is the enigma TO be solved.
For a better understanding OF the sltua-
ton, a REGISTER quill driver visited the
works Yesterday, and carefully noted
the machinery by which the city is sup
piled with water.
At the works are two pumps, the
larger or Southern, l6-inch cylinder,
and the smaller, l4-inch. Both were
in operation and apparently working at
their full capacity. The larger was
originally l3-inch bore, and has been
cut out 10 Is inches; the other was II
and cut to IA; neither can be made any
larger. The first is too large now for It's
machinery, a glance at the driving cog
wheel showing it to be
CRACKED THROUGH
and held together with chains and bolts.
10 is liable to give way at any time, as
the assure gaps slightly at every turn.
The smaller pump is in good condition,
with the exception of its supply pipe,
which is patched up like a country
Quilt. At every stroke of the piston, a
"whish" can be heard, as the cracks adj
init air. A new pipe to replace this, Is
an absolute necessity. The two pumps
have a daily capacity OF over two mil
lion gallons. -,
Fifteen hundred feet away, and 2l2
feet above the level of the water, are
the reservoirs, though they scarce de-
serve the name. They are filled by two
fourteen inch pipes and con-
tain about 1850 gallons, SO
that they are emptied three times
every twenty-fOur hours. During our
emissary's visit they were within three
inches of being full, though warm day
will hold them down to depth OF nj
teen inches, with both pumps working
at the rate OF fifteen strokes to the min
ute. There is no attempt at filtration,
and their depth of nine feet is a dark
mystery, under which might Turk, we
know not what. The city is supplied
with five pipes, measuring respectively,
20. II, 10, s and 8 inches. So much Tor
our water works.
THE TWO PROBLEMS
for the calculation OF our City Solons
are: To keep steady supply of water
and 10 reach the high grounds. The
first is the most important consldera-
ton, from the axiom that the whole Is
greater than any OF its parts. In case
of a mishap to either pump, the water
supply is cut off; and to insure against
accident i'm this line, is the object of the
Committee on Water Works. The cog
wheel above referred 10, may let 90 at
any moment, and the patched supply
pipe, which now demands attention,
cannot be repaired or replaced without
shutting down our Industries. In this
contingency,
A NEW WATER WORKS
Is preached, but Immediately dismissed,
as beyond the city's means. As sub
ieCt for future consideration, however,
the plans might be mentioned, The
most feasible, is to build above the Top
mill, and place the reservoir upon the
hill above that mandatory. This
would do away with the trouble on
high ground, hut would cost not less
than hair million Of mOHsy. The pres
sure would be so strong as to burst
half the pipes OF the city. The main
leading down Market street, from
Eighth to the REGISTER office, is now a
mere shell-so thin that it can scarcely
be touched. And many others are in
the same condition. Another PROPOSE
ton is to buy up Bedilion's dam and
build the works there, bringing the
water to the city in a viaduct, in Croton
style. This, we are informed, is totally
impracticable.
Therefore, a new works being, at
present, beyond the question, the prob
lem resolves itself into one remedy-an
additional pump. This was the unani-
nous opinion OF the committee, after its
visit To- the works, on Saturday, the
proposition originating with Superin-
tcndent Riddle and seconded by Mayor
Sweeney.
TIE COMMITTEE MET
at the city building last night, and its
1.