Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-30
OUR WATER SUPPLY.
MATTERS CONCERNING IT BEFORE
THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE.
Superintendent Boiling Makes Some I'm
portsnt suggestions 60 Prevent
Damage by Fresbets--Other
Committees.

The Committee on Water met in the
Council chamber at y o'clock last night.
There were present Messrs. White
chairman. Wingfield, Brauer, Har-
grove, and Mann.
The Superintendent Of the Water
Works was instructed to go before the
Finance Committee and ask for s., 600
to be used to pay for pipe extensions.
1t was decided 10 put down sixteen
inch pipe on Broad street between Sc
cond and Third in place OF the six-lnch
pipe which is being taken mp and Will be
used on Belvidere street between Grace
and franklin.
The awarding of the contract for oil to
be used at the new pump-house was left
to the superintendent,
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS.
Superintendent Boiling submitted the
following report, which was received
and copy ordered 10 be sent TO the
officers of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway Company, and the Superin-
tendent was authorized to confer with
the railway authorities with a view to
asccrtaining what proportion Of the ex-
pense for the repairs spoken Of should
be borne by the railway company and
by the city:
THE REPORT.
OFFICE OF Cry WATER-WoRKs,
No. 912 BROAD STREET,
RICHMOND. VA, August %, 1889. )
Mr.. j. ". white, GhorDldn Of the
COmmiUcc on Water:
Dear Sir,-I beg leave to re-
port that since the last regular meet
ting OF the committee there has
been large freshet in the river,
reaching within about eighteen inches OF
the food of June 1st, and destroying the
repairs recently completed, entaling an
expense upon the city of about 2SCO to
repair the banks and washouts for the
second time in two months.
The same precaution and care was
taken to avoid serious damage as form
erly, and the same lesson taught.
/ am the more convinced that by the
outlay OF a few thousand dollars our
works eau be saved from any serious
damage, and that our water-power pumps
would be stopped, If at all, but a brief
period from any flood now recorded.
The washout below the Five Mile
Lock happened at the same point as on
June lst freshet, and was clearly occa-
stoned by the drift and trash accumu-
lated against the Richmond and Ale
chany railroad tresues at the different
quarries between the Three and Five
Mile Lock The bents OF the trestle
catch the floating dc5r'S and dam tue
water back until it oyerflows the banks
and creates a washOut
| con only repeat the recommenda-
tions made IN my recent report, and
URGE the committee TO appropriate sum
sufficient TO carry out my plan-nameiy,
construct large waste-way above the
Fiye-Mile Lock with waste-gates, aud
raise and strengthen the banks between
the Three and Five-Mile Locks; also
raise the masonry mt Five-Mile Lock to
prevent TOO much water coming In from
the Four Mile level.
| feel sure that the officers Of the rail
road will unite with us in the Pre-
cautionaIy constructions and raise
and change their different canal
crossings for their own protection,
as they suffer equally with the city
by such washouts as have recently
occurred. | have completed the repairs
below the Five-Mile Lock, and expect
by the middle of next week to complete
the restoration of the guari-banks at
Boshers dam.
There is also a small break in the crest
of Bosher's dam, which will be necessary
to repair so soon as the water shall DO
low enough TO get to it.
Several of the wooden gates ut the
head-walls at the Five and Nine-Mile
Locks will have to he renewed, as they
are completely decayed. have ordered
three gates to replace those IN very bad
condition.
Yours very respectfully,
CHARLES L. BOILING,
Superintendent.