The Washington times., 1902-01-09
RESERVOIR GATES
ARE THROWN OPEN.
WATER SUPPLY INCREASED.
New FOrty-ciEhs Inch Main Erings
Needed Relief to Residents of
Capitol Hill and North
east Washington.

Col. Alexander G. Miller, in charge Of
the Washington Aqueduct, promptly at 1
o'clock yesterday afternoon threw open
the gates of the Washington reservoir
and let the water into the forty-eight-
inch main at Fourth Street.
This extra water will give to the resi-
dents of Capitol Hill and Northeast Wash
inston much higher pressure, and will
materially increase the water supply
throughout the entire city. Washington
today receives water from the George
town reservoir, which is on the Conduit
Road, and from the Washington reservoir.
which is located near Howard University.
Besides these two reservoirs there is a
pumping station at U Street which sup-
plies Brightwood reservoir.
General Rejoicing.
The opening of the Washington reser-
voir yesterday caused general rejoicing
throughout Washington. but most espe-
cially to the residents Of Capitol Hill and
the Northeast.
Colonel Miller, at the request of Gem
eral Gillespie, informed the District Com
missicners that the works were finished
and that the water would be turned on
yesterday afternoon. Accordingly, the
Superintendent of the Water Department,
Mr.. W. A. Mcfarland accompanied by
Colonel Miller, went out to the Washing
ton reservoir and in his presence the
gates were turned and the water let into
the city mains from the new reservoir.
Underground Passage.
The new tunnel, which is an underground
passage from the Georgetown reservoir to
the Washington reservoir. has been under
construction for about twenty years. Con-
gress first authorized the extension OF the
water system of the District by an act ap-
proved July Is, 1882. BY that act, which
was based upon reports submitted to Con-
gress by the Office OF the Chief OF En-
gineers of the United States Army. the
Secretary of War was authorized to con-
struct tunnel from the Georgetown res
ervoir TO the Washington reservoir. the
construction of which was authorized BY
the act OF Congress in question.
The work was done under appropria-
tions made by Congress for several years.
Finally, through some lack of judgment
on the part Of the engineers who were en-
trusted with the work, there was 4 catas-
trophe, when the waters OF Rcck Creek
filled the tunnel and drove the workmen
out of the shaft
Caused a POs.pOrement.
Reports were submitted by the Seere-
tary Of War and work was resumed on
the tunnel in July, 1898. Since that time,
with the money provided by Congress,
work en- the tunnel and the reservoir mas
been pushed forward until it was practi-
cally completed last December. But when
the water was turned into the tunnel
check valve in Mount Pleasant failed and
several weeks were spent in making the
necessary repairs.
Cost to the District.
The tunnel and reservoir have cost
81, 575, 1880, portion of which the Dis
trict has had to pay. though it was the
intention of the United States Government
to stand the whole expense.
The effect OF the Improvement will he
that the water pressure will be increased
in all parts of the city. in the lower and
the middle service Until yesterday the
water supply of the District had been OBJ
tanned from the Georgetown reservoirA
Now the water flows into the city mains
from both the Georgetown and the Wash
inFton reservoirs. The latter has a ca
pacity of 800, ,00o, 900 gallons, while the
ueol getown reservoir has a capacity OF
$50 600 Geo gallons. This makes an avail
able supply of 450. .000,G00 gallons through
the mains leading down NJ Street from the
Georgetown reservoir and from those lead
ing from the Washington reservoir. This
will have the effect of increasing the
pressure on the mains about 30 per cent
by overcoming the friction on the pipes
leading down NJ Street.
Increased Pressure.
The higher sections of the city. inciud-
ing Columbia Heights, Washington
Heights. and Mount Pleasant. will not be
affected by the change, these portions of
the District being supplied from the
Rrightwood reservoir which is filed by
the pump at the Street station. Capi-
tol Hill and the lower sections OF the city
will Immediately feel the influence or the
increased pressure On the water pipes.