The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-26
THE WAFER WORKS PLAN
ENGINEER JOHNSTON RECON-
MENDs THE SPRINGFIELD sITR.

ODElDBACA0 w CA- q OlOOOsOOO NIdllO0
Gusher-Artesian Water Enough to
Supply 100000 Gallons Daily
Aldermen Harris and Carson Added
to the Water Committee and the
Prospects Favorable for Adopting
Mr. Johnston's Recommendations.
The city cocncil had under discussion for
two hours or more yesterday afternoon the
water works problem, the principal part of
the time in committee of the whole in the
caucus room. After coming into the long
room the matter was referred back to the
water committee for further investigation.
and to report upon a system to enlarge the
present facilities for supplying water, and
with the understanding that if possible the
report is to be presented in detail at the
next regular meeting.
On motion of Alderman McDonouph.
chairman of the water COMMITTEES. the com,
plittee was enlarged and Aldermen Harris
and Carson were added.
In the caucus room the report of Consult
ing Engineer Thomas 7. Johnston to the
water committee was read, and Mr.. John
sSons Strpt. Manning of the water works.
and City Engineer VIM were present. Mr.
thorough familiarity with the subject.
PLENTY OF ARTEsIAN WATER.
Mr.. Johnston, after four days of scientific
investigation, advocates no abandonment
of the artesian water which he says UNDER
lies this section to an extent adequate for
much larger city than Savannah, and he
favors a pumping station at Springfield
plantation and the collection Of water
from artesian wells by natural
flow into a conduit. His investigation
show that for every foot the conduit is
placed below the present hight of the cas-
ing the flow will be increased 5 per CEN,
and he says that the Springfield well will.
under thatsysten, be 5000, 600 gallon we'll
He also shows that the wells at the water
works are not influenced by the Springfield
web. His report addressed to Alderman
McDonough, chairman of the water com
mlttee, is as follows:
MR.. JoHNsToN's REPORT.
Ihave the honor to report to you as follows
on the question OF improving the water supply
of your city. The question was propounded to
me by your superintendent and my examine
ton has been greatly facilitated by his exceed
ingly frank and intelligent assistance in obtain
ing information.
The present supply is a mixture of artesian
and river water, the latter constituting fully 20
per cent of the whole. The artesian water is
taken from twenty -Jnreo wells now in use and
constitute all the water available from these
wells. The water is delivered to the city from
pumps through 24-inch main, which is about
two miles long.
Condition Of the worls-Three things are
deficient in the existing facilities for supplying
water, viz: First, artesian water. Second,
pumping capacity. Third, for a main. These
really comprise ell the apparatus that are used
briefly discussed separately.
ARTEsIAN WATER.
The existing wells are now furnishing all the
water they can with the pumps in their present
position. This fact have determined By actual
measurement of the hight through which, in
mechanical languages, the pumps now 'lift''
the water. Besides this fact, the lift is now
SO much that the pumps are subject to
shocks so severe as to endanger them. How
ever, even if the pumps were in q lower posi-
ton they could not be used to take more water
from the wells, because by so doing there would
be danger or getting water from the ocean,
AS now used the water taken from the exist
ing wells is just the same if the wells were all
to flow into % pit 0' excav aae ai beio%
tide level. If cut of at lower eieva-
ton water would flow to and from the wells
not only from the direction OF the uplands,
but also from the direction of the Sea-a cir
cumstance which would endanger the quality
of the water, and a circumstances which, be-
lieve, has been realized at Galveston.
The water from the existing wells is, therefore,
insufficient for two reasons: First, the pumps
are too high to take more water. Second, even
if they were lower it would endanger the quail
ity of the water if they pumped more water
from the wells.
PUMPING CAPACITY.
There are at present two pumps, one having
rated capacity of Z, 100000 gallons per day. and
the other 100000 gallons per day. The larger
pump is now operated beyond its rated capao-
ity, and is not able to pump enough water to
satisfactory pressure in the city,
DAG g ri c1tNi cd 70
inordinate and destructive use. If any acct
dent should happen to this pump to stop it, the
smaller pump would be entirely inadequate.
Worse than all, the larger pump, without which
your water supply would be of but small utility,
is not only suffering by bsing overtaxed, but
on account Of its high position and the made
quate amount of water available it is subjected
TO severe SHOCKS and water hammers, which en-
danger the heavy castings and keep your city
menaced with the possibility of
long stoppage of the water supply.
Again. if you so improve your water supply
that better pressure may be had in the city,
there will be an increase in the consumption OF
water, not only by increased commercial
uses, but by increased use and waste of
water for domestic purposes, hose springling,
etc. This demand cannot be met by pumps
which are now pumping all they can. Ger
tainly, under these conditions the pumps eau
not provide increased demand due to the
growth of the city.
1t is good water works practice to always
have in pump house one idle pump which is
large enough to take the place of any other
pump in the works which may have to be
stopped. Like all other works of man. pumps
are acted on by destructive agencies. Shutting
boxes must be packed frequently, brasses in
bearing must occasionally be renewed, valves
need examination, all of the interior parts, all
subject to wear, should be examined occasion
ally TO know that they are in good condition etc.
All these operations require that the pumps be
stopped, and when they are neglected the ma
chine soon runs down and loses both its econo-
my and capacity. If no other reason existed
would unhesitatingly pronounce the pumping
capacity deficient because en- extra pump is
lacking.
THE FORCE MAIN.
The force main is q cast-iron water pipe,
twenty-four inches in diamater extending from
the pump house to the water tower in Franklin
square. 1t is two miles long, or a little more.
During the morning of April %. Mr.. Manning
and myself made measurement at the water
lower and at the pump house, at time when,
on account of the weather and season of the
year the demand for water was smaller than
me average We found the pressure at the
water tower to be nearly ten pounds less than
lne pressure at the water works. In other
words, if the pumps had been close to the tower,
ana the force main consequently absent.
me pressure in the city would
Than really existed. or which is the same thing
water would have risen twenty three feet higher
IN the houses This loss of pressure, which is
very material. even at the low rate of pumping
row existing is athIbg that will increase very
rapidly as the quantity pumped increases If
9odole the quantity be pumped, this loss will be
1our times as graf, or forty poundS-entirely
Zoo much to be endured With the Increased
water consumption due to an improved water