| Introduction | Historical Background | Chronology | Geography | Biography | Technology | Ownership and Financing | General Bibliography |
| Middle Atlantic States | New York | Watertown |
Watertown was settled in 1800.
The Watertown Water Company was incorporated in 1826 by Marinus W. Gilbert, Orin Stone, Noah W. Keniston, Orville Hungerford, and Henry Caswell "for supplying the village of Watertown, in the county of Jefferson, with water by means of aqueducts."
The Village of Watertown engaged engineer Timothy Dewey in 1844 to study potential water works for the community, which he summarized in a November 13, 1844 report. Dewey (1784-1853) had worked on a survey for New York City's water supply in 1832 and also built the first gas works in that city in 1835.
The Watertown Waterworks Company was incorporated in 1849 by Loveland Paddock, Timothy Dewey, Frederick W. Hubbard, N. M. Woodruff, and Orville Hungerford "for the purpose of supplying the said village of Watertown with pure and wholesome water."
In 1853, Loveland Paddock, George C. Sherman, Isaac H. Fisk, William H. Angel and Howell Cooper were incorporated as the Water Commissioners of the Village of Watertown "for the purpose of supplying said village of Watertown with pure and wholesome water." They built a system pumping water from the Black River into an elevated reservoir using water-powered pumps which was successful and began service on November 23, 1853. The system was expanded in 1871 and the original cement-lined wrought-iron pipes were replaced with cast-iron pipes beginning in 1874. Filters were added in September, 1904.
Watertown suffered typhoid outbreaks in 1895 and a more serious epidemic in early 1904 resulting from polluted river water, which had been recognized but the significance was not appreciated until too late.
A local banker, John Fletcher Moffett (1841-1917), who was a water commissioner in the 1870s, became a water-works developer and was involved in about 40 water systems during the 1880s and 1890s.
Water is provided by the
City of Watertown.
References
1826 An act to incorporate the Watertown
Water Company. April 10, 1826.
1849 An act to incorporate the Watertown Waterworks Company. April 11, 1849.
1844 "Water Works," Watertown Jeffersonian, December 3, 1844, Page 1. Watertown water supply report, by Timothy Dewey. | Another copy, a little clearer| [Thanks to Raymond and Joshua Rainbolt of Watertown for retrieving this from the Watertown Daily Times archives!]
1853 An act to supply the village of Watertown with pure and wholesome water, and for other purposes. March 22, 1853.
1853 Rates of water rents : fixed by the water commissioners of the village of Watertown. [Note, this is for the Watertown in New York, not Massachusetts as the web site says.]
1854 A History of Jefferson County in the State
of New York: From the Earliest Period to the Present Time,
by Franklin Benjamin Hough
Page 276: On the 21st of May [1828], $200 were voted for boring for
water. In pursuance of this object, an Artesian well was commenced on the
public square, and had been sunk many feet, when the work was stopped by
the maliciously dropping of a drill into the hole with the steel point
upwards.
Page 277-278: In 1829, an association was formed for boring for
water on Factory Square, and a hole two and a half inches in diameter was
drilled to the depth of 127 feet, when water was obtained that rose to the
surface, and having been tubed, has since discharged (except in very dry
seasons, when it requires pumping) a copious volume of water, slightly
charged with sulphur and iron. The cost of the work was about $800. On
Sewall's Island, a similar well was bored, which at eighty feet discharged
water and inflammable gas; but upon being sunk further, these were both
lost.
An act was passed April 10, 1826, incorporating the Watertown Water
Company, but nothing was effected.
An act was again passed April 11, 1845, by which L. Paddock, Timothy
Dewey, F. W. Hubbard, N. M. Woodruff, and O. Hungerford, and their
associates, were incorporated as the Watertown Water Works Company, but
these did not attempt the erection of water works.
On the 22d of March, 1853, Loveland Paddock, George C. Sherman, Isaac H.
Fisk, William H. Angel, and Howell Cooper, were incorporated as the Water
Commissioners of the Village of Watertown; who were to be divided into
classes, so that one should be annually elected, commencing on the first
Monday of June, 1856. Before entering upon their duties, they were to give
a joint bond of $60,000, and were empowered to borrow, on the credit of
the village, a sum not exceeding $50,000 for a term of not less than
twenty, nor more than thirty years, payable in five installments, with
seven per cent interest, for the purpose of erecting water works in the
village. The above commissioners, soon after their appointment, contracted
with J. C. Wells for a pump house and reservoir; the latter to be 150, by
250 feet, at the water line, and 12 feet deep; to be lined with clay,
covered with gravel, and divided by two walls six feet apart; the vacancy
being filled with layers of gravel and sand, through which the water is
filtered in passing from the receiving to the distributing side of the
reservoir. The pump house, located on Black River, near the cotton
factory, in the upper part of the village, was to be 28 by 40 feet, and 17
feet high, entirely fire proof. The machinery was contracted for by Hoard
8:. Bradford; and the pipes, from the pumps to the reservoir, and the main
distributing pipes, were furnished and laid by J. Ball & Co., of New
York. They are of sheet iron, lined and coated with cement, and warranted
to last five years. For the reservoir, the commissioners purchased of John
C. Sterling a lot of six acres, about a mile south-east of the village, on
the brow of a limestone ridge, 180 feet above the public square. The site
is beautiful and commanding, and when the improvements contemplated here
are completed, the place will become one of great resort from the village.
A lot, of twenty acres, has, with characteristic liberality, been
presented to the village by Mr. Sterling, adjoining the reservoir, and
designed for a public park. It was coupled with no condition, except that
it should, within a given time, be enclosed and laid out as a. public
ground. This, the village authorities have engaged to do; and should the
future growth of the place be such as present prospects warrant, the
premises will, ere long, become an attractive appendage to what must soon
become the City of Watertown.
1854 The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil,
Part II. Vol VI. No 6. (June 1854)
Page 754-755: Water Works At Watertown.—Messrs. J. Ball & Co.,
of this City, have been constructing water-works at Watertown, N. Y.,
under a great head. We are informed that the water is forced from
the Black River through their pipes into a reservoir some 7000 feet from
the river, and elevated about 190 feet above the pump well. The Democratic
Union speaks of the trial as follows:
"The trial of the water-works was in the highest degree gratifying to all
the friends of that noble enterprise. Several hydrants were tried, and all
worked to admiration. We witnessed the one near the Arcade entrance, which
threw water in a perpendicular direction to the distance of 40 feet above
the buildings. The fountain threw a jet of water to the height of 80 feet.
It is well to remark that the triumph of the water-works at this trial was
effected without letting on the full head of water. It is estimated that
under a full head, the fountain will throw its jet to the height of 110
feet. The reservoir is situated about one mile from the centre of the
village, at an elevation of 100 feet above the fountain. It will contain
3,500,000 gallons. The pump by which the water is forced from the Black
River to the reservoir, was constructed by Hoard and Bradford. There are
sixty-five hydrants, situated at different points in the corporation. The
one at the Railroad depot is said to be over 200 feet below the reservoir.
We reckon there will be some spouting if that hydrant should ever be
uncapped under a full head of water. Eight of these hydrants can be
brought to bear, at the same time, on any of the principal buildings. Mr.
Ball, the enterprising and reliable contractor for the construction of the
pipes, has finally triumphed nobly, in spite of the cavillings of croakers
and faultfinders. The trial was a pretty good indorsement of his bonds.
All credit is due to those of our citizens who have projected, encouraged,
and sustained this great enterprise."
1876 Watertown,
N.Y.: a history of its settlement and progress, with a description of
its commercial advantages: as a manufacturing point, its location, its
unsurpassed water power, its industries and general features of
attraction to capitalists and manufacturers, by Charles Rufus
Skinner [Thanks to Raymond and Joshua Rainbolt of Watertown for bringing
this book to my attention.]
Pages 75-76: Watertown Water Works
As early as May 22, 1821, a plan for supplying the village with water was
discussed, and action was taken towards the erection of reservoirs, but
the measures were not carried out. June 14, 1828, the sum of $50 was
appropriated by the trustees for the purpose of boring for water on
Factory Square. At the annual meeting in 1829 the proceeds of licenses in
the First Ward were applied towards procuring water for the village. May
21, 1829, the sum of $200 was voted for the purpose of boring for water,
and in pursuance of this object, an artesian well was commenced on Public
Square. After it had been sunk many feet a steel drill was maliciously
dropped into it thereby stopping the work.
In 1829, an association was formed for boring for water on Factory Square.
A hole 2˝ inches in diameter was drilled to the depth of 127 feet when
water was obtained, and having been tubed discharged for many years until
about 1860, a copious volume of water slightly charged with sulphur and
iron. On Sewall's Island a similar well was bored into the rock which at
80 feet discharged water and an inflammable gas, but being drilled deeper
these both were lost.
April 10, 1826, the Watertown Water Company was incorporated, but nothing
definite resulted and a similar result followed the incorporation of the
Watertown Waterworks, April 11, 1845. But in 1853 (March 22), L. Paddock,
G. C. Sherman, I. H. Fisk and H. Cooper were incorporated as the Water
Commissioners of the village of Watertown. These citizens gave a joint
bond of $60,000 and were empowered to borrow on the credit of the village
$50,000 for a term of 30 years. Soon after their appointment, the
Commissioners contracted with J. C. Wells for the construction of a pump
house and reservoir, the latter to be 150x250 feet at the water line and
12 feet deep, properly made with two center walls for filtering. The
reservoir was located about a mile southeast of the village on a lot of
six acres, upon the brow of the limestone ridge, 180 feet above the
village, and was given a capacity of two million gallons. The site of the
reservoir is beautiful and commanding and presents to the eye the finest
view obtainable of the city and the surrounding country.
On the 23d of November 1853, the water works were completed and water for
the first time was pumped into the reservoir, and let into pipes
communicating with residences and fire hydrants. An experiment then made
showed that water could be thrown 120 feet perpendicularly.
No serious fires have devastated the city since the completion of the
reservoir, but the growth of the city, and the increasing demands of its
people, led the Water Commissioners in 187 1 to construct still another
reservoir. This was located by the side of the former and was completed in
1873. Its dimensions are 250x200 feet and its capacity four and a half
million gallons. The water is distributed to residences and 100 fire
hydrants throughout the city by 16 miles of water mains and pipes.
The following constitute the Board of Water Commissioners for 1876:
Richard Van Namee, President; Charles A. Sherman, Secretary; John F.
Moffett, John C. Knowlton, C. A. Holden. Parson T. Hines is Superintendent
and N. P. Wardwell, Clerk.
1878 History of Jefferson County, New York
by L. H. Everts and J. M. Holcomb
Page 142 WATERTOWN WATER-WORKS. As early as May 22, 1821, a plan for
supplying the village with water was discussed, and action was taken
towards the erection of reservoirs, but the measures were not carried out.
June 14, 1828, the sum of $50 was appropriated by the trustees for the
purpose of boring for water on Factory Square. At the annual meeting in
1829, the proceeds of licenses in the First Ward were applied towards
procuring water for the village. May 21, 1829, the sum of $200 was
voted for the purpose of boring for water, and in pursuance of this object
an artesian well was commenced on Public Square. After it had been sunk
many feet a steel drill was maliciously dropped into it, thereby stopping
the work. In 1829, an association was formed for boring for water on
Factory Square. A hole two and a half inches in diameter was drilled to
the depth of 127 feet, when water was obtained, and having been tubed,
discharged for many years, until about 1860, a copious volume of water
slightly charged with sulphur and iron. On Sewall's Island a similar well
was bored into the rock, which at 80 feet discharged water and an
inflammable gas, but being drilled deeper these both were lost.
April 10, 1826, the Watertown Water Company was incorporated, but nothing
definite resulted, and a similar result followed the incorporation of the
Watertown Waterworks, April 11, 1845. But in 1853 (March 22), L. Paddock,
G. C. Sherman, I. H. Fisk, and H. Cooper were incorporated as the Water
Commissioners of the village of Watertown. These citizens gave a joint
bond of $60,000, and were empowered to borrow on the credit of the village
$50,000 for a term of thirty years. Soon after their appointment, the
commissioners contracted with J. C. Wells for the construction of a
pump-house and reservoir, the latter to be 150 by 250 feet at the water
line, and twelve feet deep, properly made, with two centre walls for
filtering. The reservoir was located about a mile southeast of the
village, on a lot of six acres, upon the brow of the limestone ridge, 180
feet above the village, and was given a capacity of two million gallons.
The site of the reservoir commands a superb view of the city and
surrounding country, which forms a picture in the summer of exquisite
beauty, only to be excelled by the same landscape in the tropical hues of
the autumn. On the 23d of November, 1853, the water-works were completed,
and the water for the first time was pumped into the reservoir and let
into pipes communicating with residences and fire-hydrants. An experiment
then made showed that the water could be thrown 120 feet
perpendicular. No serious fires have devastated the city since the
completion of the reservoir, but the growth of the city, and the
increasing demands of its people, led the water commissioners, in 1871, to
construct still another reservoir. This was located by the side of the
former, and was completed in 1873. Its dimensions are 250 by 200 feet, and
its capacity four and a half million gallons. The water is distributed to
residences and one hundred fire-hydrants throughout the city by sixteen
miles of water mains and pipes.
The present Board of Water Commissioners is constituted as follows:
President, R. Van Namee; Secretary, C. A. Sherman, J. F. Moffett, J. C.
Knowlton, C. A. Holden ; Superintendent, Parson T. Hines; Clerk, N. P.
Wardwell.
1882 Watertown, Engineering News, 9:131 (April 22, 1882)
1888 "Watertown," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.
1890 "Watertown," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 "Watertown," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1894 The Growth of a Century: as Illustrated in
the History of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894
by John A. Haddock
Page 184-185: WATERTOWN WATER-WORKS. As early as May 22, 1821, a plan for
supplying the village with water was discussed, and action was taken
towards the erection of reservoirs, but the measures were not carried out.
June 14, 1828, the sum of $40 was appropriated for the purpose of boring
for water on Factory Square. At the annual meeting in 1829, the proceeds
of licenses in the First Ward were applied towards procuring water for the
village. May 21,1829, the sum of $200 was voted for the purpose of boring
for water, and in pursuance of this object an artesian well was commenced
on the Public Square. After it had been sunk many feet a steel drill was
maliciously dropped into it, thereby stopping the work.
April 10, 1826, the Watertown Water Company was incorporated, but nothing
definite resulted, and a similar result followed the incorporation of the
Watertown Water-works, April 11, 1845. But in 1853 (March 22), L. Paddock,
G. C. Sherman. I. H. Fisk, and H. Cooper were incorporated as the Water
Commissioners of the village of Watertown. These citizens gave a joint
bond of $60,000, and were empowered to borrow on the credit of the village
$50,000 for a term of thirty years. Soon after their appointment, the
commissioners contracted with J. C. Wells for the construction of a
pump-house and reservoir, the latter to be 150 by 250 feet at the water
line, and twelve feet deep, properly made, with two centre walls for
filtering. The reservoir was located about a mile southeast of the
village, on a lot of six acres, upon the brow of the limestone ridge, 180
feet above the village, and was given a capacity of two million gallons.
This reservoir was constructed by Gen. W. H. Angel.
On the 23d of November, 1858, the waterworks were completed, and the water
for the first time was pumped into the reservoir and let into pipes
communicating with residences and fire-hydrants. No serious fires have
devastated the city since the completion of the reservoir, but the growth
of the city and the increasing demands of its people led the water
commissioners, in 1871, to construct still another reservoir. This was
located by the side of the former, and was completed in 1873. Its
dimensions are 250 by 200 feet, and its capacity four and a half million
gallons. The water is distributed to residences and one hundred
fire-hydrants throughout the city by sixteen miles of water mains and
pipes.
1897 "Watertown," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
1898 "The Water Supply System," from Our County and Its People: A Descriptive Work on Jefferson County, New York, edited by Edgar C. Emerson
1908 "The Management of the Typhoid Fever epidemic at Watertown, N. Y., in 1904," by George A. Soper, Ph.D., Consulting Engineering and Sanitary Expert, Read March 11, 1908. Journal of the New England Water Works Association, 22(2):87-163 (June 1908)
1916 "Engineers' Report on Water Supplies," Municipal Journal, 40(3):82 (January 16, 1916)
1916 "New Water Supply for Watertown, N.Y.," Engineering and Contracting 45(5):21 (February 2, 1916)
1918 Watertown Public Water Supply, from Annual Report of the New York State Department of Health for the year ending December 31, 1918. Pages 450-454
1932 "The Watertown Water System," by Harold J. Haley, Superintendent, Watertown Water Works, Presented at the New York Section meeting, October 9, 1930, Journal of the American Water Works Association, 24(2):249-258 (February, 1932)
© 2016 Morris A. Pierce