The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-16
A Water.Famine.

THE wATRR-SUPPLY IN PORTION OF THE
CITY UNEXPECTEDLY CUT oFF-oPERA-
T1ONs STOPPED IN MANUFACTURING EsTAB-
LIsHyENTs-wHAT SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS
SAYS, &C.
Great surprise and no little alarm was oc-
casioned yesterday about IL O'Clock by the
unexpected cutting-oir OF The water-supply
in large portion OF the city. Just before
that hour notification was made to a num-
Der OF water-takers that such would be the
case, and in some instances preparation was
made. To majority OF the people, how
ever, the stoppage was an entire surprise.
1t was not alone the great Inconvenience
and discomfort TO which housekeepers were
put that was so much TO be regretted, but
number Of manufacturing establishments
were compelled TO suspend operation, and
a number OF hands thrown out OF employ
ment. Prominent among those suspending
are the large cgarette-factory OF John f.
Allen u Co., employing over 400 opera
tives the tobacco.iactory OF p. ii. Mayo &
Co.. employing an equal number; the
sumac-mill OF j. Fl. Bryant 4 Co. At the
tobacco-iactory OF II. G. Williams e. Co. the
scarcity was severely felt, and that, to-
gether with a number OF other establish
ments, will be probably compelled to sus-
pend to-day.
In the lower part of the city the hydrants
were running as usual. In the upper part
of the city, which is supplied from the new
reservoir, there was no stoppage. On Ore
gon Hill the famine prevailed, but in that
section OF the city north OF Canal street
such was not the case. At midnight last
night The hydrants on Bank street were in
full flow. The cause OF the scarcity OF
water is due TO the low condition OF the
river.
An alarm Of fire last night about O'Clock
made many persons feel uncomfortable. but
fortunately 1t proved to have been caused
by the overturning Of lamp on Tenth
street near Byrd, land no serious conse-
quence resulted.
Superintendent Davis, Of the City Water
Works, was yesterday evening interviewed
by Dispatch reporter. He said the lower
reservoir was almost entirely empty. The
new reservoir has perhaps ten ieet OF water
The river is lower than it has ever been
known to be before.
The lower reservoir became dry yesterday
at 0 o'clock A. NJ. At the new reservoir
eight water. and one steam-pump are at
work, which is about one third OF the
power. Two could not be run, and were
stopped. The steam-pUmps are working ut
regular speed, and have been steadily at
work for the past three months.
Superintendent Davis says his object Is
to keep the hills supplied with water il pos
sible. The water in the new reservoir is
falling slowly at the rate OF to 81 inches
per day, and he hopes TO keep 1t at stand
still. The stesm-pump pumps one third OF
the supply OF the hills, and is supplied from
the canal. The great trouble is the want OF
steam.macbinery. The hydrants in the
valley are supplied from what little water
there Is in the old reservoir. Only one
pump is working at this place.
The condition OF affairs is deplorable, and
the complaints last night all over the city
were many and loud. With the insufficient
water-power, il the protracted drought con-
tinues there must be suffering.
At the Dispatch and other newspaper Of
fees arrangements were made Tor tempo
rary supply, and it is not known how long
even that will continue.
Housekeepers and others should be extra
careful in their use OF water, for no greater
calamity could befall our city than TO be de-
priyed OF the element so necessary not only
to comfort and health, but to the actual
safety OF our lives and property.
The city authorities seem determined TO
do all In their power to avert the threatened
calamity, and it Is 10 be fervently hoped
that the stoppage is but temporary.