Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-05-22
THE WATER WORKS.

A Visit to the Reservoirs and City Mills.
Yesterday afternoon the mayor of the
city, several members Of the water COM
mittee of councils, accompanied by the SUI
perintendent of the water works and the
newspaper reporters, paid visit to the
city water works, coaches having been fur
nished by Councilman Zecher for the pur-
pose.
On their way out the visitors stopped at
the reservoirs. The grounds are we'll kept
but might be made much more attractive
by the expenditure Of few hundred dol
lars in laying out walks in the park and
putting the long unused fountain in oper-
| alton. The west basin was found to contain
| fourteen feet and six inches of water, and
the east basin thirteen feet and two inches
which is as full as they can with safety
| be kept. There is a rather bad leak of
long standin. in the north wall of the east
| basin. The water has percolated through
the bank and is undermining it, causing it
to crack and the earth to slide for a dis
tance of several feet. The water commit
tee should take prompt measures to have
the wall repaired, or We may have another
disastrous break in the reservoir. such as
those that have occurred in former wears.
Superintendent Kitch flvors the raising Of
the bottom of the reservoir foot or more
and thoroughly pudding the bottom and
side walls with the best of clay.
Stopping at the almshOuse the visitors
first took look at the place where the
recent accident occurred to the "a inch
water main, Immediately between the
almshouse and hospital.
As there is a spring under the main
at this point, which it is believed causes
the ground to sink and loosen the joints of
the main, it is proposed to dig a trench
and lay terra-cOtta pipe from the spring
to the ravine, some yards beyond.
Continuing their journey to the water
houses they found everything there as
clean rs new pin. The houses have been
recently painted and the floors and pave
ments are rs clean as the tidiest house.
keeper could desire. The large Worthinston
pump was found to be in admirable con,li-
tlon and doing its work noiselessly but
efficiently, rs it always does. Its brass
mOuntinss shone like FURNISHED gold. and
all its connections and surroundings were
in the best condition, rejecting great credit
on the efficient engineer, VIM. Stehman,
and his assistants, Chas. Franciscus, VIM.
Gibson and Jacob Kautz.
The water-power pumps were not run
nil fho unfn <1,n hi,
to work them. All of them, however.
were in as good condition as it is possible
for the men in charge to keep them. They
have recently been treated to a coat of
paint, which greatly improves their ap-
pearance. The "costly blunder'' the
Geyelin pump and wheel, and the old en-
sine, formerly used to run the pump when
the water was low, are of little use to the
city since the Worthington steam pump
has been erected. One Of the Birkinbine
pumps is good deal out of repair, the
lower chamber being cracked, which causes
it to leak considerably when in use. 1t
can be repaired at tritiing expense, and
will be as soon as the water in the creek
SSe' oO w" ehtse oCOA" POWCA VIII OO SA-
depended on. In the present
stage of water, the water-power pumps are
used only a few hours each day.
The wooden flood gate between the dam
and the creek is good deal rOtted and
leaks considerably, and will soon have to
be replaced by new one. A number OF
leaks in the breast of the dam should also
receive attention durin. the present SUM-
mer.
The stone dwelling house cOnnet ted with
the works is being put in order, and it is
the intention of Engineer Stehman to
occupy it as residence.
During their stay at the mill the visitors
we're furnished with refreshments by Su-
Kitch, which were partaken
If in the Birkinbne water house. MIR.
Aitch was indefatigable in his attention to
lis guests, and the prompt and intelligent
in which he answered all questions
esarding mill or the complicated ma
'hinery therein showed him to be perfectly
amiliar with his duties. He is an indus
rious and efficient officer, "the right man
n the right place." and as much can be
aid of the engineer and his assistants.