Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-08-02
Water Works ? or Cisterns

active interest in the matter of trying to Sc
cure a sufficient water supply for the present
and prospective requirements of this town.
1t being my firm conviction, based upon per-
sonal observation, and the opinion Of Others
engaged in manufacturing and other pur-
snits which tend to the development of
town into business and trade centre, that
we could make no material progress IN add
inc to the growth and importance Of Charles
town. without first introducing water sup
plv for drinking, manufacturing, fire and all
needful uses.
Several years ago the Town Council decid-
ed that il was not practicable for the town to
incur the expense of water works, although
il was generally conceded that better and
more ample water supply was needed.
Itremained then, if water works were 10
be put in, that it should be done by private
enterprise
Having secured minute estimates, plans
and specifications, made by specialists III ny
draulc engineering of this kind, who had
examined the sources of supply, elevations,
general topography of the town and sur
roundings. &c, and who reported upon TWO
different plans, one plan being the reservoir
and standpipe system, and the other contem
Mating high service by the Holly force
pump system. laid these plans and estimates
before some parties here and elsewhere with
q view of securing the necessary capital
Thus prepared l went before the Council,
and stated that if the Council would agree
to paw the sum of 5000 per annnm for the
public water supply for term OF years, TO
bedrawn from twelve fire and water hydrants,
TO be located within the corporate limits, at
points 10 be designated by the Council, which
hvdrants would supply drinking water drawn
from pure springs above the town and be
constructed 50 as TO attach the hose OF the
fire engines, | believed private company
would put in the works before winter. The
Council referred the matter TO committee
which has not yet reported
The subject of a water supply being OF
great moment TO our citizens, Is being very
freely discussed, as it should be, and has
drawn forth a letter from Col. VIM. 7. Craig
hill. which | notice in your last issue. HIS
letter is adverse to water works, and advo-
Gates cisterns. would feel great hesitation
i'm yenturing the opinion of mere layman
i'm opposition to that of an engineer OF more
than national reputation, whose experience
and observation have been so varied and ex-
tensive. if Col. Craighill had given his scien-
tifcopinion, based upon survey and estimates
made out under his direction. But As his
letter is only that of a citizen dealing with
the subject generally, | except to his views
and Will endeayOr to meet them IN the order
he has offered them.
Does this town need water works? ~
1t is matter of first importance that ey-
crv town should secure for its inhabitants an
ample and convenient supply of pure water
for drinking and all other household uses.
An incorporated town of the size and COM
pactness of this place should also secure
such water supply as with reasonable
and timely effort will afford protection to
property i'm all parts of the town against de-
suuction by fire.
If the growth and business Importance OF
a town is desired, then in addition TO house
hold and fire supply, a supply OF water for
all kinds of industrial purposes should be
made available at reasonable rates to those
needing it, and this supply should be pr0yid-
ed either by the town, or by private enter
prise fostcred and encouraged by franchises
from the town, with the public interests duly
guarded.
If this town has such water supply it does
not need water works, if it has not, 1t does
need them and should have them without
delay.
maintain that this town has not such a
,rqfer suDDlg and does need IT, The wells and
cistens of the towns, public and private, do
not furnish q sufficient or Convenient supply OF
water for drinking and household uses, and a
large part of the present supply Is not good,
and some impure to degree that is danger
Gus. The area of the town is about 40 laid
out squares and the more recently built up
portions of the town equal to ten squares,
making i'm all about 80 squares. For this
area. with q population of about 1900, the
public water supply consists of ii wells with
pumps. inconvenieutlv located as follows
ON Main street ,, ON Liberty street ,, on
George street >, on Congress street2 ON sam
ucl street !, ON Railroad alley and on the
Potato Hill extension. This Is an average
of about pump To four and a-half squares.
Many families of the town use their neigh
boris private water supply by their sutlrance,
the public wells being too distant.
The fire supply consists of Eyitt's Run
and the Court House cistern, which are
available for a very limited part of the town,
and it uecessitates great loss of time at fire
i'm taking the hose to points so remote before
the engines can play a stream.
There Is no supply at all for industrial
purposes. a necessity admitted 10y all ac-
0uainted with the industries of the town.
2nd. is the need great enough to justify
the very considerable cost -
Thi, question needs no reply, as 1t Is not
proposed that the town should put in the
works. and the annual water rent of 5000 for
the supply proposed is so cheap as to impress
everyone. 1t would amount to % cents per
capita of the estimated population, and
would require little or no addition TO the tax
rates. The saving i'm fire insurance to prop
ertv holders would amount to much more
than the additional tax, and the annual eX-
pensco of repairing and maintaining thew wells
and pumps amounting | am told to $500 or
more. might also be counted as saved.
There are now petitions before the Council
for twowclls, one from the Northwestern and
the other from the Southwestern parts of the
town. with the Eastern part vet to be heard
from. Several years ago a well at the East
crn end of Main street the water from which
from Its peculiar flavor, was supposed to be n
valuable mineral water. was disuscd and fill
ed mp. the water, upon analysis, showing
% large per cent. of animal matter, supposed
To be- drainage from the cemeteries above.
There is mo- guarantee that If other wells are
dug below the cemeteries similar drainage
viii not enter them, as it is well known that
drainage of this kind will follow along our
d. J. d Il. !.