The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-04
water.Famlne In Richmop.l.

say, in your paper OF the 3lst. that "there
is no excuse for the water-famine In Rich
mond." After the enormous expenditure
in the construction and management of the
wster-works OF this city il Is a reproach and
q disgrace to its Councils and executive off,
GERS that its citizens are compelled during
many weeks, il not months, OF the year to
drink and wash In mud, and at other times
TO be deprived of even this substitute for
pure water and Lave their homes and pro-
perty exposed to certain destruction by fire.
But are you not mistaken in attributing
this total destitution Of water to the unne-
cesslry waste OF it by individual citizens on
their private premisesi
You say "yOu do not know how many
gallons are even now pumped into the two
reservoirs every day." but you suppose il
TO be "not less than six or seven millions
Of gallons, or hundred gallons daily for
each inbabtant OF the city," and less than
one sixth OF the capacity OF the new reser-
vOr alone!
Now, Just here I think you make the mis-
take which m!sleads you as 10 the cause Of
this destitutiOn OF water; for no one who,
like the writer, has repeatedly during some
months past visited the reservoirs, and in
every instance seen how little water there
was in them, can believe that the bali
OF the quantity supposed by you was
ever pumped into these reservoirs daily.
Nor Is il credible that "eyery inhabtant OF
the city-men, women, and children lever
consumed or wasted each zone hundred
gallons," or the tenth OF that quantity.
That there has been and is some waste OF
water is very probable, and 1t is certainly
most unjust and shameful that, while any
family or citizen is deprived Of the supply
necessary for comfort, health. and security,
for which he pays both in city taxes aud
water.rents, there should be ten times as
much as he needs wasted before his eyes,
not only in ornamental fountains, but in
sprinkling the streets, and thereby produ-
cing poisonous malaria by the fermentation
and putrefaction OF animal and vegetable
deposits OF refuse and filth on their surface.
But the great.cause OF this famine would
be found, doubt not, upon proper and
thorough investigation, in Inc fact that there
has not been and is not more than small
fraction OF the quantity OF water daily
pumped into the reservoirs which you sup
pose. and have good right to suppose, is so
supplied. Whether this Is caused by total
inadequacy OF the pumping-works or to
negligent or unskiliul management OF them,
ilO ODC Ciu DOrlilNti1 huON HiO-
per official investigation, such as should be
made at once and thoroughly, and with the
aid Of The most competent and experienced
engineers who never have lad any cOnnec-
ton with the City Water-Works or with
any OF those who have had anything to do
with their management. SO long as CON-
mittees OF the Council rely for Information
on this subject solely on the representa-
~ nffipiolS " -
sponsble for our sufferlngs, we cannot
hope for relief. # is unnecessary TO i'm
pute TO them any blame; but II they
cannot, with the liberal, il not prodi-
GAL expenditure which the city has
made upon her water-works, prevent the
occurrence OF such 4 condition as that in
which the citizens now find themselves,
surely it iS full time that we should see il
Others cannot better protect Us from the suf-
fcrings and dangers incident to it. With
proper management OF the water supply 10
be had from the river, even in seasons OF
the most protracted drought, there should
be enough water for the use Of the city, not
only TO supply every inhabitant with all
that he needed OF pure, clear water for his
individual use, but also to keep constantly
flushed and clean the sewers OF the city,
and thus prevent the poisonous gases now
emitted ut most OF the corners OF the streets
from the open inlets to those sewers.
Let the agitation OF this subject not cease
until relief to our sufierings is obtained.
A RICHMOND TAXPAYER.
[We still think we are not mistaken as to
the quantity OF water pumped daily into the
two reservoirs. Our correspondent is Il
large taxpayer, and no doubt speaks for
other. than himself. 1t is better to let the
complaints OF our good citizens be heard
than to suppress them. A remedy for
wrongs will be found, or else it will enable
the parties concerned to show that there
are no wrongs in existence which are reme-
diable