The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-02
Clear Water for Richmond.

Editor Times:
Sir,-I have considered the plan of fur
nshiug pure water to the city of Rich
rnond as submitted by Mr. Boulding be-
fore the Finance Committee, likewise the
fun and elaborate plan of Mr.. Sherrifs OF
utilizing Swift Creek, of Chesterfield. OF
supplying Richmond with clear water.
Both plans show wel-thought-out details
OF the best methods Of handling their
respective and distinctive propositions.
Tho former relies upon sedimentation
basin. supplemented by q coaSulating ia
sim fortified by filtration; all to be To-
Gated within James river. Time would
be required for their completion, and es-
Inmates of costs seem not eXtravaSant,
Vet the city Uhe older citizens thereof
have a recollection of the supposed cost
of the reservoir a S no man knoWeth there
Of as none has ever been made pubic.
Estimates and results are not always Ia
ken These constructions must of neces-
sity be expensive, and there would be no
surety of eliminating typhoid germs ana
other troubles resulting from chemicals
as coagulants in the second Easin.
The second plan is based upon a too
limited watershed as reported by Engineer
HAYES, of the United Coast Survey, even
to supply Petersburg. The height of dam
would be risky. to say nothing of the
depth of water therein as to being sutti-
GENTLY aeratcd. Both plans l,ring forth
suggestions Why not use the entire wa
tershed, of which Swift Creek is only a
small portion-namely the entire water
basin if requisite. located a few miles
above the city of Richmond. of 1S9 square
miles? It contains an unlimited supply
of the unrest of water Of millions OF gal
Ions.
The Great Engineer Of the universe has
placed the dam in the large granite ledge
contiguous to the city. and the basin or
reservoir filed with water for the cty,s
use whenever its engineer or citizens arc
ready to pump it into their city and
houses The pump is suggested by all
plans. hence not new suggestion to OBJ
tain the water.
Bosher's dam is already in place across
the James river and will furnish all power
needed by compressed air or electricity
to fill the reservoirs with the purest OF
water from this largo basin of 1879 square
miles. Already this extensive basin has
been Investigated in pursuit Of coal by
numerous wells or shafts, from a few
feet to 1888 feet. and by the drill tdia-
monfD to the depth of 1000 feet in one
place before reaching the granite bottom
of this large basin.
In this basin already constructed ana
ready for use the finest process OF sedl-
mentation and coagulation known is IN
daily use lCy the sandstone and STATE,
which receive the water from various
streams and clouds precipitating and run
ming therein until its measures are Tiled
and seen running over its granite dam III
the falls Of the James and AppomattoN
rivers. besides sundry other points along
the slashes of Hanover and through Hen
rico and Chesterfield counties.
At orc of these shafts or wells In Ches-
terrified county the inflow was 80 trem-
enious' that it was difficult for four
pumps with so to 100 horsepower each to
admit of a partial examination OF It's
| strata.
Now az to the purity OF the water OF
this great basin, during the MaSoral.s
of Mr.. J. Taylor Ellyson the City i,lisl.
| ncer thought that the pumping oue " "
| many of these old wells or shaits ai az
| standing idle for years might contaHinal Z
| The water Of the James river. winch WAS
pu,nped into the reservoir Tor h1ci'i1o l'a
| had a committee and experts appoihten
n examine the waters from these CID
shafts. and it was found pure and salts
| factory. vi. -, 10
ccive fun consideration.