Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-18
CITY WATER WORKS.
r,psT ANNUAL REPORT OF suPERIN-
YrNpTxT CHARLES E BOILING.
vbst The Works are and What They
Should be-Purity Of the Water;
Storage Reservoir Suggested.

hon. ". c. Carri"gton, Mayo Of The
C,iy OF Richmond
respectfully submit a report Of the
orera,ions Of the Water Department, of
which took charge July last, after the
dcalh h Of the incumbent, Mr. James l..
Davis. for the year ending December
81. 1855.
For a full ard detailed statement Of
the operations Of the department |
would refer you to the annexed tables,
showing the appropriations and dis
bursements, quantity OF water pumped
into the reservoirs, cost Of pumping,
location, sizes, and cost Of the mains
laid. and the h0uSe-Seryices put in du-
ring he wear; also, to the tables Civ
ING the length, sizes, and location OF all
the pump. supply, and seryice-msins
and fre-h drants in the city. After
briefly relating what has been done in
the department, which, taken as a
whole. is in good condition, beg to
call your attention to some improve
ments which | regard as necessary, and
which will add 10 the efficacy and Geo.
nomical operation Of the water-works.
RACE-wAYs.
The race-way and banks between
Eoshe1's dam and the New Pump
Works are in good order and, have re-
quircd but little outlay in repairing the
few leaks which have occurred. am
q. 4 e.. l..
age. except in the event Of such high
water III the river as happened in the
Scars 1870 and lS77. The banks for
the greater portion Of the distance are
composed Of large and small boulders
Of granite mingled together on the river
side, and Of earth on the canal or race
way side-for a considerable distance
rlp-rapped with granite spalls. Occa-
sionally a small opening will be made
by watcr.rat, allowing egress for the
water. but rarely producing a break,
merely causing closer settling together
OF the bouldeIS. These holes are read
ilv repaired by lowering the water and
filing the hole with good puddle clay.
That portion Of the canal between the
pump-house and Fye-Mio lock is liable
only TO serious damage in the event Of
food in the river as referred 20 above.
A. apfeytniion 20 trouble which might
he given by e.goTgeS-Of which We
lave already bad warning--I have
already recomH cufed putting in two
cualls--oDc vl.re our canal joins
the river above .lcr's dam and the
Other IN The f1e-lty near the pump
house.
HUAp-N tIIo AND GATES.
The head-wallS and gates, situated
respectively al the Nine and Flye-milc
locks au5 al the pump-house. are all IN
good order, and have proven that they
meet all the purposes for which they
woTecon,tructea-uamely. readily pass
ing a iull and abundant supply and
quickly emptying the channel in the
event Of any accident.
NEW PUMr-WORKS.
The building has been improved By
putting a new floor over the pavilion
floor, but needs repairs. The slate roof
Ie0uires attention, and both the wood
work and the pumping machinery
should be painted. At the suggestion
Of Mr.. j. C.. Boyden, the capable Sill
perinterdent, additional bearings for
the shafts have been put in, and this,
together with the renewal Of the crank
pins, has greatly improved the working
of the pumps, causing them TO reyolve
smoothly and nOiSeleSslv, and moving
at rate Of speed of fifteen revolutions
per minute, readily keep up fall sap
ply. The introduction Of an air-pump
for airing the chamber is another i'm
proyement. This air-pump now Is at
tached to only one set. and only when
this set Is in motion is capable Of sup
plyirg the others. | would recon-
mend another air-pump being put in,
which can be done at a cost of $3.50.
During the months of May and June
the old pumps were idle on account of
Iepairs at Marshall reservoir. and for
that period the city was supplied with
water entirely by the new water
power pumps, which, running at the
rate Of fourteen and half revolutions
per minute. pumped 9,Oi6,11 gallons
Of water each twenty-iour hours. BY
referring to Table No. > the number Of
working hours per day, the quantity
and cost OF water pumped, may be
seen. and the proof is given that these
pumps meet the demand and fulfil what
was promised for them.
STEAM PUMP.
The Worihington stoam-pump has
been little used, and only worked TO
preserve the condition Of the ma
chmerv. The necessity Of this pump
a. an auxiliary is evident. In the event
of any stoppsge Of the water-power
pumps for repairs or other causes, we
have tins TO fall back on, with capa-
city of six million per day, or capable
Of providing 90 per cent. of the daily
amount now consumed.
OLD rUMP-woRKs.
A small sum Of money was devoted
TO absolutely necessary repairs upon
the building-repairing and whitening
she ceilings. which were filthy. The
building now presents better appear
ance. This place is quite a resort for
a large number Of a citizens, being in
easy reach, and furnishes to many
IN the warm and sultry days Of
summer an agreeable spot for rest.
So long as this continues Of
such use and pleasure to so many,
IT is right to keep up and preserve the
place, when it can be done at the small
cost required. The machinery and
pumps are all in very bad condition,
and need a thorough and complete over
hauling. The necessity and economy in
making these repairs have already
tried to demonstrate in report made
some months since to the Water Com
rniitee The main points | shall briefly
explain. BY the expenditure of IS,
these pumps can be put N good order,
and can be relied upon furnishing SIX
million gallons Of water daily, save in
extreme low and high conditions of the
river the daily running-expenses would
amount 90 e., or water would be put
u IL r a