The herald., 1894-06-03
THE WATER SUPPLY.


The water system OF Santa Monica is
probably as complete and satisfactory in
every way as 1t is possible to find in any
city on the coast. Not only is there sui
6cent pressure at the fire hydrants to
handle FIRE with, but the water is ex-
tremey pure aud wholesome. This
state OF affairs has only been brought
about by thorough renovation of the
entire system and the expenditure OF
large sums OF money.
Two years ago the water company then
owned as now, by Senator Jones and
Colonel Baker, was in condition far
from satisfactory. and when Mr.. Robert
F. Jones was placed ia charge about
that time he Immediately began altera-
tions which have since developed into
satisfactory results.
The source OF supply is obtained from
q number OF springs about half mile or
go south of the Soldiers home. 1t is from
thence piped to reservoir which holds
1000, 900 gallons, about mile outside Of
town, and from thence is distributed by
a l6-inch main to the consumer. The
reservoir is 80 feet above the town site
level and therefore gives a pressure of
the management the reservoir was de-
void OF covering Of any character, and
as result debris of all kinds, both filthy
and otherwise, found Judgment in it,
and to be kept pure it necessitates its
being cleaned out about once a month.
1t now has q complete covering of boards
and around the sides a wire screen al
lows free ventilation by air, 40 that
the water is kept at very cool tempera.
ature and entirely free from dirt. Cover
ing the pipe leading from this huge tank,
which, by the way, is made of eolid
cement, is screen through which no
particles of dirt can pass, and when it
is drawn off now the water is about as
pure as one can find from a living
spring.
From the reservoir to the springs it is
two miles and half, over which three
lines of pipes run. In size they are Z, s
and II inches, respectively, sufficient to
carry all the water that can be used by
a city several times larger than Santa
Monica, and affording ample protection
/against tire. At the source OF supply of
this water some extremely interesting
Developments are now in progress. 1t
ia the purpose OF the company to thor
oughly develop their water flow and find
out how much they can depend upon
| for the future This being somewhat Of
| dry season, it will make the results of
| the investigation all the more lasting.
| The company own 80 acres of land sur
rounding these springs and it has been
enclosed aud is kept free of invasion by
cattle. At the lower portion walnut
| orchard has been set out and some 10 or
,, 15 acres have been rented out for grow
| ing fruit upon. Until lately that per-
ton of the land was considered value-
less. They now utilize the overflow of
water to good results, and in short
while will have place started that will
sgssss deEys Tls Hi sSaarKE x@paa R In that
ton.
The springs, OF which there seem to
be a number, show themselves near the
rise of ground, or more properly speak
ing. at the foot of an elevation OF some
80 to 40 feet. Heretofore this water was
allowed to percolate through an improv.
ised catch basin and then flow into the
sand box and from thence into the pipes
leading to the reservoir. This system
is now being augmented by drilling
tunnels into the side of the hill in the
direction from which the water flows
and then picking it up into pipes and
leading it direct to the sand box.
There are so far four tunnels, varying
In length from 30 to 200 feet. and Mr..
Jones states that he will keep at work
probably all summer in this manner, his
idea being to thoroughly explore the
water resources of that section. They
will expend this season fully $15, 900 in
this direction. Enough is already
demonstrated to show that big sup
nlu If ho oh koin
from the tunnels now at work upon a
large stream is flowing. 1t is about 700
feet from these tunnels to the sand box,
where the water from all sources is
gathered. A large 12-inch pipe is laid
so as to draw off all this water, and in
order to catch all the seepage which
psrcolates through the ground through
which the pipe runs, drain pipe is filled
In alonside to gather the water also. The
system is an excellent one, and has been
outlined 30 thoroughly as to he almost
perfect. As the object is to obtain water
in its purest state in quantities large
enough for domestic supply as we'll as
for irrigation. 1t is not only necessary to
find the water as it comes from the
ground, but to save it when 1t is found.
This the company will soon be able to
do. They contemplate. in the near flu
ture, to build q reservoir on the highest
point Of their land, to be used for hold
ing water with which to irrigate the
lands of she valley. The project is one
worthy of most favorable common dation.
No spot could be made more enc hanting
than that Immediately around Santa |
Monica if water could be secured for
irrigation. and any proposition looking
10 that direction should be hailed with |
delight.
Just as a starter Jones' interest has
set out 10 acres in lemons near the pres.
ant reservoir, and they are showing a
tine, thrifty growth, an evidence that
such fruit will make fine strides in this
soil if taken proper care of.
But speaking of the water system of |
Santa Monica, it is a matter of very
common remark that the water is the
purest and most agreeable to be found
N Southern California, and any one
after looking over the system will be i'm
81 essed with the very thoroughness,
freedom from dirt and generally correct
1ygienic principle adopted in all matters
to the system. Those able to
Judge say it is the best water system in
The state.
Tho Enterprise.
II IN |