Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-05
AUGUSTUS WATER.
City Has a Fine System Which Will
Be Improved.
A Brief Account Of What the Augusta Water
Co. Has Done Since 1886.

furnishing an ample supply for all de-
mands The history of the city's water
supply dates back many years. when
it was the custom to conduct water some
distance in log pipes and in many cases
this was an unsuccessful means Of con-
veyance. A we'll known man named
johnson first started water works in Au-
gusta by supplying it from brook located
westward from the State House. By this
log system but small portion of this
towns population had water brought to
the door. A little later James Devine ar
ranged pipes from what is now known as
the Devine springs and extended them to
many dwellings.
The history of the present water system
dates from 1885, when the joint special
committee of the Augusta city govern
ment reported May II, favoring such pro-
vision for "A water supply in Augusta as
would meet the needs of its citizens
and provide IA proper safeguard against
fire. That committee was composed of
aldermen, f. A. Brick B. F. Gaslin, and
W. H. Williams, and councilmen, II. r.
Staples, Treby johnson, j. A. Jones, W.
G. Aver, J. W. Fogler and A. A. Nichols
A contract was soon made with the
newly formed company called the Au-
gusta Water Co which had for its Iresi-
dent G. X. Wescott, and treasurer, j. Fl.
Manley Ground was first broken in July,
1886, and reservoir built holding 5000,
900 gallons. This was located on the
land purchased from the city and which
formed a part of the city farm. The con-
tractor for putting in the water works
was Thomas Shenahan of Portland
Engineer Shedd Of Providence, r. l., an
expert civil engineer, was employed. f.
B. Cummings of Portland had general
| supervision and direction of the work
Work was first begun on
the north end of Water street
to excavate and lay the water
mains at the Edwards Company's mills
| Pipes were extended down Water street.
up Bridge, down State, up Winthrop,
down Chestnut and Capitol and the cross
streets intersecting. Pipes were also laid
to the East side, up Cony street, Stone
street and down Hospital street to the
Maine insane hospital. Pipes were also
run down Arsenal street to the Kennebec
arsenal and up Eastern avenue, connect
ing with the main leading to the hospital
In doing this large amount Of work In
the latter part of 1886. 200 men were en-
ployed in laying the pipes and $50 men
In building the reservoir The excavating
work WAS under charge of Ephraim Dyer,
man thoroughly familiar with the work
in all its details. In this same year, 1885,
the pumping and filter stations were built
on the Edwards Company's property The
extent of the work in the last of 1886 was
very large and on Jan. 1, 1887, bitter
cold day, the water was turned on.
About the middle Of May. 1887, pipes
were run to Togus, 4 Il miles from Au-
gusta and this was extended from the
hospital main The line was also put In
on Bangor street to Pettinglll's Corner
and on several cross streets Pipes were
run to Cushnoc Heights this year. 1887
In 1885 and 1887, the number Of hydrants
put In was 80. The number OF customers
has been 100 to $50 year since the sys
tenn was first put In. On the lowest level
the pressure is 1875 pounds to the square
inch. The pipes are of the best cast iron
and the system has been thoroughly built.
In 1894 an additional 16-inch force main
was laid to the reservoir from the pump
ing station connecting with the large
Holley pump This makes a double line
from the station to the reservoir, so IN
case of accident to one the city will have
an ample supply through the other
In 1891 the Augusta Water Com
pany laid an intake main at the
end of the Edwards Company
canal through the headgates and ex
tended 1t out into the river 600 feet and
500 feet above the dam. A heavy plank
crib was built at the end of this pipe and
1t was covered with fine screening with &c
feet of water over it. This prevents any
foreign substance entering the pipe. Thi.
intake pipe connects with the filters ane
every drop of water passes to the mains
through a system of filtration which !.
one of the best and simplest in opera
ton. The filters are cleansed thorough
" by machinery quite often.
At the pumping station, brick struc
ture 40A50, are the two huge pumps, ant
supplying 1000, 900 gallons and 5000,
600 every "a hours. The smaller supplie
water for tie l2 inch main and the othe
; connects with the 10 inch main. Thu
smaller pump makes 90 strokes min ute
pumps So gallons per stroke and has 13
pound pressure, willis the larger on
makes Is strokes a minute, pumps 13'
gallons per stroke, and has the sam
amount of pressure as the other. TIL
smaller pump was put In In 1887 and tn
other in 1891 The larger is one OF tn