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| Pacific
States |
California | Santa Clara |
Santa Clara was incorporated in 1852.
The first water works were built by the San Jose Water Company in 1870.
The city built water works in 1896 supplied by artesian wells.
Water is provided by the
City of Santa Clara, the San
Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and the Santa
Clara Valley Water District.
References
1867 "Santa
Clara," Sacramento Daily Union, October 31, 1867, Page 3.
The Town Trustees have granted a franchise to Donald McKenzie to introduce
water from the mountain streams of the coast range.
1871 The
History of San José and Surroundings: With Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers, by Frederic Hall
Pages 305-306: 1866. November 26th. The San Jose Water Company was
organized by Messrs. D. M. Kenzie and John Bonner, of San Jose, and A.
Chabot, of Oakland, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars.
The company obtained the exclusive water privileges for the city of San
Jose and town of Santa Clara, for the term of twenty-five years. They
constructed tanks, engines, laid water-pipes through the main streets in
San Jose, and supplied the city with water from artesian wells, for the
term of two years and six months. The volume of water thus obtained was
insufficient to meet the demand, and the right to the use of the water in
Los Gatos creek was procured. A reorganization of the company took
place on the twelfth of December, 1868, at which time, the capital stock
was increased to three hundred thousand dollars.
In November, 1869, the company commenced to build flumes and lay pipes, to
convey the water from Los Gatos creek. In June, 1870, this water was thus
conducted to the city. There has been constructed, and now in use, two
miles of flume, and eight of thirteen-inch pipe to San Jose, and two miles
of seven-inch, to Santa Clara. At about seven miles from San Jose,
there is situate a reservoir with a capacity of two and one half millions
of gallons. Within a distance of three and one half miles from the
city; another is in process of construction, which is to have the capacity
of three and one half millions of gallons. Twelve miles of the main
pipe have been laid in San Jose, and it will be extended from time to
time, as may be required. The officers of the company at present, are as
follows: President, N.H.A. Mason; Treasurer, E. McLaughlin;
Superintendent, C.H. Hobbs; Secretary, Wm. B. Rankin; Directors, N.H.A.
Mason, A. Chabot, J.G. Bray, E. McLaughlin, and C.H. Hobbs.
1881 History
of Santa Clara County, California: Including Its Geography, Geology,
Topography, Climatography and Description
Pages 534-534: San José Water Company.— On November 26, 1866, Donald
McKenzie and John Bonner of San Jose., and A. Chabot, of Oakland, Alameda
county, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars established
the concern now under notice. The city of San Jose. and the town of Santa
Clara granted the exclusive water privileges for the term of twenty-five
years, while to carry out their plan tanks were constructed, engines
built, and the city supplied with water from artesian wells. At the end of
two years the volume of fluid thus obtained was found insufficient for the
growing wants of the community, therefore the right to use the water of
the Los Gatos creek was obtained, and a new company formed in 1868 with an
increased capital of three hundred thousand dollars, the incorporators
being Donald McKenzie, A. Chabot, N.H.A. Mason, C.X. Hobbs, E. McLaughlin;
and the officers, N.H.A. Mason, President: D. McKenzie, Vice-President,
William B. Eankin, Secretary; C. X. Hobbs, Superintendent; E. McLaughlin,
Treasurer. On the assumption of responsibility by the new association
their first work was the condemning of the waters of the Los Gatos creek
and the bringing of the fluid from the mountains. A reservoir was
constructed on that road, about four miles from San José in that year;
another was made four miles farther on, and the necessary pipes laid,
those first put into position in the city being on First and Santa Clara
streets, with lateral pipes to the other thoroughfares. It has been
mentioned in our history of Redwood township that the water is taken from
the tail-race of the mill at Los Gatos. It was originally conducted
therefrom by flumes, but now it finds its way through pipes to the proper
receptacles, whence it is carried into the town. In case of emergency the
company have pumping works situated near Santa Clara street, on the west
bank of the Los Gatos creek, whence they are prepared to supply the
public. In the year 1870 water was conveyed to the town of Santa Clara,
thus making the total length of piping belonging to the corporation to be
about fifty-six miles. Including both San José and Santa Clara the average
daily run is estimated at nearly two million gallons; San Jose, Santa
Clara and Los Gatos are supplied free of charge for fire purposes, as is
also the county. Water rates for the city of San Jose and town of Santa
Clara are fixed by them; those outside of the corporate limits are
established by the Board of Supervisors. The present officers are,
President, E.D. Williams; Superintendent, Return Roberts; Secretary,
D.A.S. Eyster; Treasurer, E. McLaughlin; Directors, E. D. Williams, Josiah
Belden J. A. Moultrie, W. H. Ware, Frank Bray.
1882 Santa Clara from "The Water-Supply of Certain Cities and Towns of the United States," by Walter G. Elliot, C. E., Ph. D.
1888 "Santa Clara," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.
1890 "Santa Clara," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 "Santa Clara," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1897 "Santa Clara," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
© 2020 Morris A. Pierce