The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-16
THE CITYs WATER SUPPLY.
The "Vindicator" Set Right About q
Few Things.

AGC NALaAC1NCA OON ANAB 49, ~~OO~N -
Few Things.
The Vindicdtor, a monthly insurance
journal, for July publishes "SoInething
about Savannah" not altogether uncom
plimentary, but with some errors in the
article, as a MORNING News reporter has
learned by inquiries of the officials Of the
fire and water works departments. The
indicator fails 10 credit the fire depart
ment with its aerial truck and 600 feet OF
hose After a review Of the department,
in which Chief Puder is highly compli-
meuted ''for his ability 70 fill the position
he occupies and for the good work be has
done in the past with the poor facilities at
his command" the indicator adds that
"no fault whatever can be found with the
fire department"
A grave error is made in the VindtcG-
tors statement with reference to to the
diameter of the main supplying the neigh
bOrhooi of the cotton warehouses alluded
to below. The indicator says:
Attention is called to the condition OF
the water supply in the neighborhood OF
Flannery e. Co.'S and Garnett, Stubs &
Co.'S cotton warehouses. The risks can
be found plated on sheet six Of Sanborn's
map. The rate of 81 % was based upon
the supposition that the water supply was
ample, and from the tangible evidence fur
nished by six fire plugs in the immediate
neighborhood. An investigation into the
matter reveals the astonishing fact that
these plugs are supplied from twelve-inch
main, which, in its turn, is
fed by & four-inch main. An engine
using water from out of these hydrants
could get but one poor stream. The near
est supply outside of this source is the river,
to reach which would require about 500 feet
of hose"
The statement is not borne out by the
facts. The supply pipe is six inches In
diameter instead of four inches, the pipe
leading from Broughton to Randolph is six
inches, and from Randolph to st. Julian
six inches, where the six-inch pipe feeds
twelve-inch pipe.
The inadequate diameter of the mains on
Broughton street is confessed, and on this
subject the indicator says:
"As the city grew mains we're laid in the
new portions OF ample capacity to protect
those localities for years to come, but the
old and most valuable parts OF town have
received no benefit whatever. On the out
skirts of the city, in the streets which are
fast building up with residences, are ten
inch water mains, while the principal retail
district In Broughton and other streets is
fed by four-inch pipe. Tapping plug on
one OF these four-inch mains 1t was found
that the pressure was not great enough TO
force the water a distance of over three
feet from the mouth of the plug, while
water from hydrant on the ten-inch main
is thrown over twenty feet into the street
This Is conceded by the fire department.
The main on BrOughton street from Whit
aker to West Broad is but four inches IN
diameter, from Whitaker to Abercorn six
inches, and from Abercorn to East Broad
four inches. The mains on Anderson are
laid with six and ten-inch pipes
The VindicdtOr thus concludes it's lengthy
article:
ut is only fair to say that the city gov
eminent is alive to the deficiencies existing
in the water department, aud are inclined
to remedy them. Opinion is divided as to
the best manner in which to proceed,
whether TO devote the present equipment
entir ely to the business district, and replace
the mains with Others of greater size and
capacity, and erect an independent water
plant for the outside districts, or to increase
the capacity of the reservoirs and pumps
for the supply of the entire city and lay
large mains in the business district The
first proposition is considered to be the most
feasible, as involving the expenditure Of the
least time. The necessities of the case re-
quire prompt action, aud for this reason the
supplementary water plant is perhaps the
best. Savannah has had a severe lesson,
and has been wonderfully improved in con-
sequence. but, as we have suggested above,
there is much still left undone."
Referring TO the deficiency in the water
supply, the city has contracted for two
artesian wells on the water works tract,
and two derricks are up aud the work of
drilling wells simultaneously began day
before yesterday. The delay in getting to
work is due to the fact that the equipments
and casing could not be had sooner, although
the orders went off the day following the
letting Of the contract for putting down the
new wells
Acting Electrician Keck of the fire alarm
signal system says that the whole system
should be remodeled, SO that the fire alarm
wires will be above the telegraph, telephone
and electric wires, as in Nashville. Here
the fire alarm telegraph wires are under all
the rest, and are continually being crossed
by other wires and their efficiency impaired,
and at any time may fail to work the
proper boxes at a critical time. In Nash
vile, Mr.. Keck says, the telephone
company not only permits the fire alarm
telegraph wires to be strung on its poles,
but 1t puts up the wires. High arms are
placed as the top of the poles above all
other wires, and In consequence they work
well and are not Influenced by induction,
and every little gust of wind does not cause
crossed wires false alarms and general dis
arrangement of the system
Chief Puder says that Mr.. Keck's plan
wouH certainly work better than as the
wires are now located. In Chief Puder's
annual report he recommended that the fire
alarm wires should be on opposite sides Of
the street from. and parallel with, all other
wires, which would also obviate the present
troubles from crossed wires