The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-21
WHY RESERVOIR
IS NEEDED.

have issued the following open lctte
to the citizens Of Wilmington:
For many months the Board o
Water Commissioners has felt a grca
responsibility resting upon it, OWN,
to the very limited storage capacit,
for water in Rodney street reservoir
During every day, including Sundays
of the year 1901 there was draw
from said reservoir an average O
1,GG4, 900 gallons of water, when the
total capacity of the reservoir is hui
1900, 900 gallons, so that it will b,
Seen there Is less than one days sup
ply at that point; and while the de
mand on this lreservoir is growing
greater month by month, by the time
new source Of supply could be obtain.
ed, ii work was commenced at once,
the condition will be much more tay-
orable.
1t will be remembered that about a
year ago we had a serious break in the
bank, that fortunately deprived us of
the use Of only one side Of the basin,
and that by continuous pumping day
and night We were able to supply our
citizens with water, though only with
Il decreased pressure.
Had the accident thrown out Of
service both sides of the reservoir our
last resort would have been to pump
directly into the street mains; and
with any accident happening to our
pumps, even for few minutes all
persons supplied from that source
would have been without water.
We think this fact will make it
clear to any one that it is quite time
something were done to remedy this
condition of affairs.
The first thought presented to the
board was: Why not increase the
size of the present reservoir:i'ut when
it was found that, il every foot of
ground owned by the city at that
point was covered, not more than 3
days supply of water could be obtain
ed, 1t was not thought wise or pru-
dent move to make when, in short
time, the question would again have
to he met, and other means provided
and tie money so spent in making the
enlargement would, in the judgement
of the board, have been thrown away.
This project was then abandoned as
being unwisc.
When the board installea a new
pumping engine efor supply ing Rock.
ford tower, 1t was made larger than
was necessary for that particular
duty, so that in case OF an acci.
dent to Corllss pump at Cool spring
Station the new pump could be used
tor supplying Rodney street reser-
voir.
The board has taken every means
to guard against accidents in its
power, and it is the hope that moth
ing may occur until such time as it
caa make other provision for CUP
plying that section with water
Thc next move was to find Il plot
If ground of sufficient elevation. Of
suitable size, and SO located that Il
'e,crvolr could he advantaycuuSlv
'rcctcd thereon. After considerable ,
earcl we finally decided upon the
Neldin farm, and made an agree
ncnt with theownerfor its purchase.
I is located on the Concord pike
hort distance from the city line. The +
dot is nearly rectangular, of ample d
izc, and has small stream in the r
ear into which the yearly wasLngs {
IT refuse from the reservoirs can bc /
Trained. Its highest point is about |
tty(1O) feet above Rodney street T.
aSin, is comparatively level, and in a
h" "' cement OF the board, an ideal +;
'.'''' ID" property Tor the purpose for a
IA it was purchased. \
We hink it right and proper that i;
he prnpcrly owner, Of the city, and
those who get their sup v
ly of water from Rodney street rescr y
Dir. should be acquainted with the Y,
sal conditions. At the same time m
G do not wish to alarm them lln- %,
rccSSarilv. 70
Respectfully submitted by the W
Board Of Water Commissioners. Il