Evening journal., 1902-11-21
AN IDEAL SITE
FOR RESERVOIR
CONTINUED From First Page).

the level. and furnishes water to the
northern section of the city on high
ground. The water, however, is forced
into Rodney street basin through Cool
Spring. At times now there is COM
plants at sections ON high ground
about the water supply, and all this
will be remedied by the proposed nsw
reservoir.
Rodney street basin has a capacity
of 10000 600 gallons, and every day
there is an average Of 100000 gallons
used from that basin. From these fig
uues it can be seen that the basin win
not hold one days supply, and conse-
quently water is being constantly
pumped into it, which is very unsatis-
factory. The new reservoir. it is cal
culated, will hold at least ten days
supply for the entire city. When it is
in operation the Rodney street basin
will be done away with, and in all
probability will be converted into a
park by the city. Cool Spring basin,
however win continue to supply the
section 1t now furnishes with water.
An Ideal Local Location
The Weldin farm is agreed by all
interested to be an ideal site for a res
ervoir, and, in fact was the only suit
able location anyways near the city.
If a site had been selected farther from
Wilmington the expense of pumping
and pipes would be much greater.
It has been suggested that the
Rockford dam would be an excellent
location for a pumping station, as it
is on a direct line with the Weldin
farm. This location, while it would
be a desirable one. would be next to
Impossible to obtain, so there will be
no change in the situation of the City
Mills.
Mr.. Betts, when spoken to on the
subject, said that such a move was out
of the question, as the water rights
were owned by the DuPonts and Ban
crofts, who operate mills along the
Brandywine, and their rights could not
be taken from them. With larger and
more powerful machinery, Mr.. Belts
says, there win be no trouble in fore
ing the water from the present mills to
the Weldin farm.
To be Called Porter Reservoir
1t has practically been decided to
name the new basin the Porter reser-
voir, after the deceased president of the
board, William T.. Porter. who was q
member of the Water Board from the
time 1t was organized up until his
death about two years ago.
The idea of a new reservoir or set
| Ting pond, similar TO the proposed
filter bed, originated with Mr. Porter
O.her members OF the board, who were
Mr.. Belts and DR.. Pyle were impress
ed with the plan, and it was talked of
to some extent before Mr.. POrters
death. The deceased president seemed
( to be more impressed with a settling
lpOnd than any other plan.
The heavy drain upon the water sup
lply at times, especially during the hot
/ test period of the summer when the
supply is much lower than usual, was
what set Mr.. Porter to thinking about
some means of providing for surplus
water supply, which could be drawn
upon i'm case of extreme need. should
such emergency arise. MIR. Porter also
talked of such a plan that will prob
ably be carried out by the present
board.
When he first spoke of the matter
the necessity of a settling pond was ap-
parent to him from the fact that at the
/ time to give an adeQuata supply to the
city it was necessary to pump the
water from thde race directly into the
reservoirs. There was not time for the
water to settle, and consequently for a
period Of several days it was muddy.
1t was with a view of remedying this
condition Of affairs that Mr. Porter
suggested the settling pond.