Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-17

A question that before long VIII force
itself upon the consideration ofour peo-
pie is that of water supply. The pres
emit basin has very small area. TWAS
built when our population was only
about one-third what IL now is, and
and when the water demand for manu-
featuring purposes was small. And
while it has not actually outgrown Its
usefulness, it has most decidedly become
inadequate.
This proposition is not merely sup
positions one, framed from comparison
with the water supply Of other cities OF
equal size, and unsupported by exPeri-
ence. The inadequaey Of our water
works and basin has been clearly dem
onstrated, and for city OF Wheel
ipg,s size il will be conceded that the
CRITICALLY her basinic capacity is IN
precedentedly unequal to the probable
demand. We may say it is alarmfngiy
so.
Upon the creationofthe Water Board
we looked for immediate and vigorous
action in the matter. But no definite
plan has yet been presented to the
public. 1t is understood, however, that
the subject has been seriously consider
ed.
Several plans have been discussed. A
proposition was made to build new
basin near the old one, the new one to
have a capacity OF about four millions
of gallons. This, with the old one
would give the city nearly five millions
ofgallons of water in her basins ready
for use in case of emergency. 1t was
found, however, upon investigation
that the coal had been mined under
the site proposed, and as there are only
thirty feet are so of solid matter above
the coal seam, we seriously question
the wisdom of that location. We do
not unders tand the Board has adopted
it either.
The idea has been advanced that
wall might be built upon the founda-
ton Of the old basin and additional area
thereby gained. While this may be
possible we regard it as dangerous, ex-
pensive and unsatisfactory. The heavy
pressure of large body of water would
prevent the walls being built higher
than three or four feet. An immense
amount of costly masonry would be re-
ouired. And at best the basinic area
could not be increased more than one
half. We do not think the addition of
half million of gallons would justify
the expenditure, even though it were
designed to make this but temporary
relief.
While toe Board has the subject I'M
der consideration might it not be as
we'll to estimate the cost of entirely
new water works and basins to be To-
Gated ut some suitable place above
the city? A standing and
fOrcibie objection to any plan establish
ing the works permanently where they
now are is that the water pumped into
the reservoir must necessarily he i'm
pure owing to the large amount OF re-
fuse thrown into the river, from the
upper portion of the city. And as
Wheeling increases in population that
objection will be strengthened theOreti-
cally and affirmed by the actual test of
experience.
The Board of Public Works gives
evidence of life and spirit in the inn
provements it is constantly making
upon our streets. The Water Board
should not beidle. The water we drink
and the health we have is of far more
importance than the streets we walk
upon. And we feel sure in saying that
our people will not be backward in
giving support to any practical and sat
isfactory plan that the Board may adopt
in the premises.