The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-08
COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF
RCHMONDS WATER SUPPLY.
Wooden Pipes Were Used Sixty Years Ago When the Old
Pump House Was Built.
THE PASSING OF ONE GREAT PLEASURE RI

was obtained from a small forebay, par
ellel with and below the canal about
500 feet lorIg, which was supplied by
means of a low wooden dam built upon
the rock lodges. and which afforded
head of ten feet. This water-power was
leased
WHEEL AND PUMP.
The wheel and pump were furnished
by William Kemble. of New York. A
low breast wheel operated a double act
ing horizontal pump Of 100000 gallons
daily capacity. From the pump to tho
reservoir, situated on hill $500 feet
distance and 16O feet above it, an eight
Inch cast-iron main was la!e. The d.
mansions Of he reservoir were 194x104x10
feet S inches, aid its capacity one mil
lion gallons. The reservoir divided into
two equal compartments by brick wall,
tho enclosing banks OF clay, inner slopes
and bottom paved with brick.
In one compartment a filter bed 321axiG
feet and 3 feet above the bottom of the
reservoir was constructed. The bed con-
sisted CT layers Of coarse gravel, fine
grave! ard sand. BY means Of the pipe
arrangement water was forced upward
and finally found its way over the di-
vision wall into the other compartment
of the reservoir. For the purpose of
cleaning the bed. water could be admit
ted from the surface. and wasted through
the pump main Oy meaES OIL waste
branch into a ravine.
Mr.. Stein states In his report THAT
this was the largest fltering bed in the
United States" end says also that he
vas doubtful OF its proving q success"
The water N the reservoir was 211a feet
higher than the highest point in the
city, and was supplied through 10-inch
main Clio feet long. estimated to deliver
100000 gallons daily; and according to
Lott f,,rp
families. allowing 100 gallons for each
family. From the terminus of the main.
smaller distributing pipes were laid, and
a few fire plugs erected. The cost OF
the works. etc. exclusive of the dam
and forebay. was S76.s60. The works
were accepted by the city February II.
1892
FILTER BED ABANDONED.
In 1888, another water wheel and pump
of the same design and capacity was
erected, and another S-inch main laid
to the reservoir. In 1885 the Filter Bed
was pronounced a failure for clarifying
the water. and its use abandoned. In
1885 the city purchased the dam, fore
bay and water power rights for $4,000
and five years later replaced a portion
of the wooden dam. with a stone dam.
In 1S43, the population then number
ing $4,000. the reservoir capacity was
increased to seven million gallons, by
raising the banks and new addition.
In 1S4S there We're 1,2l2 water takers,
and the supply becoming, scarce. a new
supply main II inches in diameter. GIFTS
feet long was laid to the city In 1S49
two more pumps of same design but
slightly greater capacity were erected,
and two S-inch mains laid to the reser-
yoir.
Five years later came the demand for
more pumps. and two more wheels and
pumps We're added of like design to the
Others but larger, having capacity of
.2264 900 gallons per day, and two mains
of Pinch diameter were laid from the
pump house to the reservoir. The water
takers at this time numbered 1,SS2. the
pumping capacity was 4,453,1O7 gallons
and the reservoir capacity 100000 gal
Ions.
In 1860 a o4-inch water main was laid
from the reservoir to the city. In 1873
the supply again becoming scarce. the
population amounting to $4,000, more
pumps were needed. Under the direction
of Emile Geyeln. of Philadelphia, two
double acting horizontal pumps. II inch
cylinders We're put in and We're operated
by Jonval Turbine wheel 9 feet in
diameter under a 12-foot head. having a
daily capacity of 100000 gallons. Dur
ing their construction as a temporary ex-
pedient g Guild and Garrison steam
pump. 100000 gallons capacity, was
erected on the canal. This was subse-
quently sold.
A o4-inch water main was laid from
the pumphouse to the reservoir. The
pumping capacity. after the completion of
this work, was 7,55S,OOo the daily con-
sumption 2,51SOo0 gallons. and the rate
per capita "A gallons. The city. was
now rapidly growing. and houses being
erected in the higher portions of nearly
equal elevation to the water surface in
the reservoir, and supplied by mains
along streets OF widely differing grades.
greater pressure was demanded.
MORE PUMPS AND MAINS.
Up to this time no plan had been care
fully considered or adopted for further
needs. but step by step, as the demand
came, pumps and mains had been added,