Evening journal., 1901-09-25
TO CONSTRUCT
IMMENSE BASIN
Reservoir Which Will Hold
Two Million Gallons
PROPERTY TO Be PURCHASED
Idea Of William T. Porter Will be
Carried Out by The KaIer
Department

ton will have one Of the most complete
water systems to be found in any part of
the country, if the present plans of the
Water Department are carried out.
During the life of William Il. Porter.
and at the time he took much interest in
the welfare of the city, he conceived the
idea of an immense reservoir to be lO-
Gated upon some high point of ground in
the vicinity of the city, which would hold
a sufficient quantity of water 10 meet any
emergency that might arise 10y which the
city's water supply would be interfered
with. The plan met with the hearty ap-
proval of the board, but circumstances
were such that the project was never
realized during Mr.. Porter's life.
Recent events. however. have impress
ed the necessity Of such a reservoir upon
the Water Department, and the board
finally has determined upon the construc-
tion Of such plant. After considerable
work the department has decided upon
tract of land in Brandywine village he
yOnd Market street bridge. As no official
action yet has been taken on the subject.
by the board. the directors refuse to di-
vulge the exact location of the ground
but it is understood that it is upon one
of the highest points surrounding the city
and is admirably situated for tn. purpose
desired, which is principally supplying the
higher portions of the city in case of ne
cessity.
The idea Of the board is to erect a rcser-
vOir with a capacity of 2O0.OOO.OOO gallons
Of water, or a sufficient quantity with as
sistance from other sources to supply the
city from twenty TO thirty days without
the necessity of pumping. The reservoir
practically will be a reserve and a settling
basin to which will be added filtering
plant which may be used when the Occa-
sion demands.
The advantages Of such plant are OBJ
vious. In the first place, in the spring Of
every year, the water in the Brandywine
becomes so muddy that despite the filter
ing process. it practically is unfit for use.
and pumping from the stream ceases.
thereby lessening the water supply.
Then again, breaks similar TO the one
that occurred in the Rodney street basin
are liable to occur, and the water supply
is practically cut down to certain portions
of the city. With an immense reserve
reservoir such as the one contemplated.
these difficulties would be Obviated, as the
water could be taken directly from it to
supply the affected parts of the city and
would be of sufficient quantity to hold out
until other stations could resume work
In speaking of the project an official of
the Water Department said that when
the plan is carried out the city would
have a system of water works complete
enough to last it for fifty years.
As soon as the land has been purchased.
plans for the new basin will be drawn up
and the work of constructing begun. The
reason given for buying the tract desired
is that if not acquired at once the site
might be cut up into building lots thereby
increasing the present price ten fold.
There appears to be some misunder-
standing regarding the purchase Of
piece of land along the Christiana river
beyond Market street bridge by the de-
partment. 1t was said that the purchase
was made for the purpose Of storing pipe
owned by the department. In cOnversa-
tlon on the subject, member of the Wa
ter Department said that such was not
the case. When the 12-inch main was
laid across the Christiana river at the
foot Of Orange street for the purpose Of
supplying South Wilmington, that pOr-
tion of the pipe which extends along the
south bank Of the river for n distance Of
about 300 feet was laid on ground owned
by Green X Wilson. When the main was
laid, there was an agreement between
these parties and the department that it
should be removed when the property
owners expressed their desire to have it
taken up. As there was no other avail
able place along the river for laying the
main, it became evident that some action
must be taken in the matter or the sup
ply Of water in South Wilmington might
be cut down at any time. There were
therefore, but two things to be done.
either purchase a portion Of the property
from Green q Wilson, or open up Orange
street on the South Side. The latter
course would prove expensive as the
street line runs directly through the
works Of the Illinois Leather Company.
As Green & Wilson would not sell less
than $50 feet across, the department pur-
chased that amount Of land. together
with a strip at the extreme south end of
the Green q Wilson property and run
ming through to Market street extended.
The main that now lies along the bank of
The river on the Green & Wilson property
will be taken up and relaid on the strip
recently purchased through TO Market
street, thereby having the entire line To-
Gated on ground owned by the city.
A portion Of the property acquired is
marsh land and it is the intention Of the
department in conjunction with Green &
Wilson, to place a wharf along the entire
property TO Market street and fiji in,
thereby giving a good river wharfage.
The regular meeting Of the board was
held yesterday afternoon and routine
business transacted Chief Engineer
Bond submitted his report on the new
electrical pump which the department
proposed purchasing for use at the Elliott
avenue tower. AT present the tower is
supplied by air line pipes from the city
station, which freeze occasionally in