Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-09

A Visit 60 The sIfe-The Mains Laid
and Buildings Nearly Completed
Azure supply OF water Secured.

Azure supply OF water Secured.
Several years ago the MORNING NEWS
directed attention to the fact that the source
of our water supply was daily becoming
more and more polluted in consequence Of
the concentration Of shipping at the Central
Railroad wharves, and urged upon our au-
thorities the necessity of taking action in
the premises. Since then no opportunity has
been omitted to present the importance
Of changing the location of the water works
and securing the supply from a source some
distance up the river. The matter was fire.
quently discussed in Council, and its i'm
portsnce and the desirability of the change
was recognized, but nothing definite was
done until towards the close of the previous
administration tract of land about mile
and.a half M the river, just this side OF the
Hermitage Mills, was purchased by the CITY.
The subject continued, however, to be agi-
tated, and public interest was aroused, and
at the close of last year decisive action was
taken by the Board OF Aldermen in passing
an ordinance levying a special tax to meet
the extraordinary expense OF erecting new
water works. This measure met with the
unqualified appreciation of the community,
ana general satisfaction was expressed that
at last something was to be done towards
securing better and purer supply OF water,
so essential to public health.
The usual preliminaries were arranged,
SURVEYS made, the route determined upon
and contracts awarded, and the early part OF
the present spring work was commenced
under direction OF the Water Works Com
mittee of Council, of which Mr.. s. P. Ham
ilton Is Chairman. The arrival here of the
water main and the commencement of the
work OF laying it have been mentioned, and
also the fact that the buildings for the ma
chinerV we're being erected at the new site.
Learning that the work was progressing
very fsvorably. and that the job of laying
the main had been about completed. we
made a visit to the new water works site q
day or two since and very particularly OBJ
served the line of the main, and the excel
lent character of the work done. We were
surprised and gTatified to note at a glance
the desirability of the change, and were the
more convinced that the erection of these
new water works is the wisest measure inau-
gurated by the city in many years.
The water will be brought from the pres
ent site through a twentV-four inch iron
main of the best material, every section or
Joint of which was thoroughly tested prior
to shipment here. The main is two and a
half miles in length, and P'sy'@ am the
reservoir in Franklin ssIaS-~ >zu~H Bryan
street to the canal, thepes s'rys Ssvt under
the canal; then passing through the Central
Railroad cotton warehouse, beneath the
floor, under the several railroad tracks, over
Musgrove creek through Vale Royal planta-
ton in straight line to the plantation OF the
Messrs. Exley, where q slight DETECTION Is
made and then on through the plantation in q
straight line to the works, which are located
on the bank of the river. The laying OF
this main has been perfected In the most
VOL kmenllke and thorough manner, and
some idea of the magnitude of the job may
be had wheG we state that the main con-
sists of over one thousand joints or sec
tions, and in closing these joints forty-tive
pounds of melted lead is required to each
Joint. This work, the heaviest and most
difficult, is about completed, the entire line
being laid, and all that is now necessary is
70 make the connections at the reservoir In
Franklin square and at the new works,
which will require but a day or two, when
everything is in readiness to commence 1t.
The site of the new works is one of the
prettiest and most attractive on the river.
The tract purchased by the city comprises
seventy-eight acres, on which there is a very
beautiful grove, and several neat and COM
Portable brick houses. The surroundings
are decidedly picturesque, and at the ex-
DenulNuFG Oh q lew
did park could be established, and 1t would
be an additional point of interest for strau-
gers as we'll as our home people to visit.
The buildings, witch are already rooted
in and covered with tin, are constructed OF
brick with granite lintels, and are very neat
IN appearance. The engine room is sixty
feet square, will be neatly plsstered, and
has planked ceiling painted white. The
brick foundation for the new pump is
81 Ir- cd ouR workman or
gagged in constructing the foundation for the
present engine used, and which will be re-
moved as soon as the works src comUleted,
and the new engine can be util d. The cell
lar beneath the engine room, +i:d in which
the foundations are built, is seven feet high.
Adjoining is the boiler room 40x70 feet,
which will be finished In the same style as
the engine room. The massive new tubular
boilers were received some weeks since, and
sre already placed in position, all that is
necessary being TO build up the foundation
to them.
The water is to be pumped direct from
the river through q well, massive frame OF
heavy timber, fifteen feet square and four
teen feet high, which will be sunk close to
the bank Of the river. where the front has
already been bred ed ont, to the depth OF
four feet below low water mark. This well
is provided with ingeniouslY constructed
doors, with screens to prevent the entrance
OF any debris or refuse matter, and the sue
ton pipe will be introduced through the
top of the well. There will be no basins as
at the present water works, the well serving
the same purpose to better degree. 1t
will be sunk in day or two.
The river at this point is perfectly clear
and free from all Objectionable appearance,
in marked contrast with Musgrove creek.
our present source OF supply, whose sp-
pearance is enough to make one forswesr
water as a beverage. That we will secure
fiuer and much better supply OF water than
we have had for years is absolutely certain.
The chimney is oetagonal in shape, and
will be eighty feet In height, and is rapidly
app oaching completion. The buildings pre-
sent an imposing appearance viewed from
the river, and will be credit to our city,
and the equal, II not the superior, OF any in
the South.
1t is anticipated that the new works will be
importation early in July. The new and pow
erful pump is now on its way to Savannah and
may be here any day, and will be placed in
position at once, everything being in readi-
ness for its reception.