Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-18
GIVE Us CLEAR WtTER.
AUGUST IS, 1892.
To he Editor Of he Dispa,ch:


To he Editor Of Gie DiSDGct:
Please allow me as q citizen Of Richmond
TO express my views on the water question.
| see it IS suggested that S200,JJ0 be
spput for meter. When there ls such a
pressing demand for clean and clear water
II IS. IN my opinion, the height of folly 20
think of spending 100000 for measuring
out the muddy James river, and note
that the Superintendent Of the Water
Works admits that the meters are not
strictly reliable. The cry is for clear
water. | know there are some people who
have drunk mud and water so long that
they arc not capable of judging of water.
But analyZe the water a much as you
please, this fact remalns-the reservoir
gives us mud and water. aud there IS no
room for complaint of lack Of the mud.
Now, here Is "A point inst seems to be
overlooked entirely. ! put this question
20 those medical gentlemen who pronounce
the James river water 20 pure and delight
ful. Suppose the water Is perfectly clean
and pure (which do not admit, and sup
pose the mud Is perfectly clean (Which
again / do not admit, arc mud AMI water
mixed good tor the human system! III go,
when we have cup OF clear sparkling
water we should insert an ounce Of red
clay with Il 10 make 1t superlor-like the
James-rlyer water we ore getting now.
If the assertion by such eminent physi-
clans as Drs. Hunter Mcclure. Hugh Iay-
lor, and others does have the effect Of
stirring ND the people 10 the fact that We
are injuring both our health and the re-
putation of the city by going on year
after year drinking mud and water and
believing we have the best water IN tine
worldr If the assertion of these gentle
men does have that effect, our children
will have reason 10 rise up and call them
blessed. CITIZEN.
p. S. If we have money to spend let US
use it in making our water clear.
The water-Metcr Question.
To ne Editor Of he Dispatch:
want TO call, through your paper. tho
attention Of the members Of the Council
who really care for the interest of their
constituents 10 an ordinance passed some
years ago requiring all parties not having
them to put IN trap or cistern closets, but
those who did not have them raised such
a howl that it was repealed at once. Let
that ordnance be passed again and en-
forced and they Will find "a saving in water.
And see that the pumps at the reservoir
really pump the amount OF water
that is claimed for them to DO.
Ii is easy 90 estimate. Let tho
committee get the actual facts IN
the New Reservoir pump-house there
was put NOhueIlu4 puhpiIe-ehEtHc' Luo
wheels of which would work as well under
water as above $50 reported, and WAS
Il pumping wonder; would supply, / be-
lieve It was said. the whole city for years
TO come. see that they had to put In
steam engine. and that was also claimed TO
be able TO supply the city. Let the COM
mittee get down to facts as to the actual
supply that these pumps will furnish, and
see where the waste IS, and if not a part of
il is not in the overestimating pump sup
ply of water.
Now, we are paying a good price for
water, those having trap or clstern closets.
Let the committee lind out how much
water they pay tax on. Water Is wasted
daily, and can the committee see whore
they are reportedr II so, 1t is not men
toned in the locals of our papers, where
such notice would do good.
ASrLMErEE.