Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-09
THE WATER WORKS.
A Committee Trip to Investigate the
Water Supply.

A Committee Trip to Investigate the
Water Supply.
Two years ago the question OF an in
creased water supply for the city and
higher service, was brought to the at.
tention OF Council and argued in every
possible light. The REGISTER then con.
tanned complete accounts OF the pro.
ceedings, with report OF an excursion
by the Committee on Water Works to
GAINESVILLE, to obtain some ideas OF
model water works. Since that time,
the matter has not died, but has merely
been sleeping. A Worthington pump.
ing engine hiss been purchased, as
starter and still further improvements
are con .emplated. There are two press
ing necessities: An increased holding
capacity and higher pressure, particn-
larry the latter, to accommodate people
living on high ground. Further men,
ton OF both, will appear hereafter.
Yesterday afternoon the Committee
on Water Works made tour OF inves-
tigation, accompanied by representa-
tive OF the REGISTER. At the works,
Superintendent Riddle took charge OF
the party and led the way down the
bank TO the vault, where stands the new
engine. When the cast iron tank to
contain it arrives, it will at once be put
in operation and then a change will
come. It's capacity 10 three million gal.
Ions daily, or more than the combined
capacity OF the present ones. There is
one main objection TO the arrangement,
In that the same supply pipes now in
use will serve for it, so that il an accident
occur TO them, dilemma at once pre-
sents itself. There should be two so that
one will always be ready for service.
Before leaving the works, the rickety
condition OF the building was comment
ed upon. The stone and brick are
loose in many places and should be
fastened by..a girdle about the building.
a climb up the steep hill then brought
the party to the reservoirs, though such
basins scarcely deserves the name.
| Their combined capacity is about 129,.
| coo gallons, or one fourth what II should
| be. GAINESVILLE, with its 10000 people,
| has two reservoirs. each with a capacity
| of nearly four millions. But this is not
the main objection. The altitude OF
these basins was probably sufficient to
were built, but are n;irelyinadequate to
the present demand. Most of the high
ground in the city suffers for want OF
water, and remedy must be had.
To Obsiate the difficulty two plans are
proposed: The first is to erect stand
| pipe at the basin and have separate
| pipe connection for the high ground;
the second is to build second reservoir
at greater altitude and pump into it
from the present basins. In either event
| il will be necessary to have a separate
connection, as the increased pressure
would hurst four-fifths OF the pipes
about the city, especially those along
Market street.
Some time was spent by the commit
tee in examining the hillside above
| the work house for suitable location
found which will answer the purpose.
There is solid ledge OF limestone
which will make an admirable iounda-
ton. But this trip was merely for in
vestigation and information, and no ac-
| ton was taken. The following gentle
men were present: W. A. Wilson,
John Butterlield, John G.. Miller, W. II.
Halter and G. A. Wisgerter.
An idea suggested by Mr.. Riddle
seems q good one. 1t was to have con-
nection near the works, by which. when
the basin is being cleaned, water may be
pumped directly into the mains, on the
| Holly principle. and thus obviate the
necessity OF shutting down the mills.