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| Middle Atlantic States | Pennsylvania | Reading |
Reading was established in 1748.
The Reading Water Company
was incorporated in 1819 with John Spayd, Frederick Heller, John Addams,
George D. B. Heim and John Berkenbine appointed as commissioners to sell
stock. The company contracted in December 1820 with Jesse Kersey to
supply earthen conduits between the Hampden springs and a reservoir.
This pipeline was completed in July 1821 and the company began installing
cast iron distribution piping, with individual customers responsible for
connecting their own premises using cast iron, lead, or earthen
pipes. The system was delivering water to customers by 1821 or 1822,
but the earthen conduits supplying the reservoir began to fail in the
summer of 1824 and were replaced with wooden logs.
The City of Reading bought the Reading Water Company on April 1, 1865 for $300,000. A Worthington steam pumping engine with a capacity of 5 million gallons per day was added in 1889 to provide reserve capacity from Malden Creek.
Water service is provided
by the Reading Area Water
Authority, which was created on May 20, 1994. The authority
web site has a history
page.
References
1819 An Act authorizing the Governor to
incorporate the Reading Water Company, March 16, 1819
1820 Village Record (West
Chester PA), March 8, 1820, page 3.
The Subscribers Inform, that they are now provided with a handsome stock
of
EARTHEN PIPE
For the conveyance of water underground. These pipes are connected
with a a durable cement, and are capable of sustaining a considerable
pressure. They have been proved in several different places, and are
preferred by all who have tried them. It is presumed, that they will
obtain a general preference, as their durability is greater than can be
expected from bored logs; and the water passing through them is more
pure. We might refer the public to a number of persons who have
tried them, but we need that unnecessary.
They also continue the Earthenware business, on a scale sufficient
extensive to afford a liberal supply to Store keepers. All orders
sent by mail to the Downington post office, will be promptly attended to;
and ware of the first quality delivered.
JESSE KERSEY, & Co. 2d month 29, 1820
1820 Memorandum of
Agreement, December 28, 1820, printed in Reading
Times, March 18, 1873, Page 4.
Earthen Water Pipes.--The Eagle has unearthed a copy of the "memorandum of
the agreement" for the laying of pipe for conveying the Hampden spring
into the city--the first water brought in by the "Reading Water
Company." In enlarging the Penn street reservoir, last year, some of
the earthen pipe was dug up, and it was found in as perfect a condition as
when first laid, over fifty years ago. Jesse Kersey was a preacher,
and a prominent member of the Society of Friends, in Chester county.
The original document is on file in the office of the City Engineer, where
it is kept with other rate and valuable papers in a fire-proof safe.
It reads as follows:
"Memorandum of agreement made and concluded upon this 28th day of
December, Anno Domini 1820, between Jesse Kersey, of the township of East
Cain, in the county of Chester, and State of Pennsylvania, of the one
part, and Gabriel Hiester, Jr., and John Ritter, a committee appointed by
the Water Company of the Borough of Reading, of the other part: Witnesseth
that the said Jesse Kersey has agreed to furnish to the said Water Company
such quantity of earthen pipe as will be necessary to convey the water of
a certain spring to a reservoir at the head of the main street in said
borough, and to lay them completely cemented togher in a ditch to be
opened by said company. The pipes are to be of two and a half inches
bore or calibre, and the said Jesse Kersey engages to be at the expense of
any repair which the pipes may require in seven years from time they are
laid if they should in that time fail to deliver the water, provided such
failure can be fairly alleged to be owning to any defect in the pipes or
cement, or laying. And the said Gabriel Hiester, Junior, and John
Ritter, on the behalf of the said Water Company, to pay to the said Jesse
Kersey, or to his lawful representative, twenty-five cents per foot for
every foot of pipe laid for the above mentioned purpose when the whole is
completed. And the said Jesse Kersey agrees to have the whole of the
pipes laid before the end of July next. In testimony whereof the
parties to these presents have set their hands and seals the day and year
above written.
Jesse Kersey [Seal]
Gab. Hiester, Jun. [Seal]
Jno. Ritter, [Seal]
Witness present, William Frame.
1821 Berks
and Schuylkill Journal, July 21, 1821, page 3.
On Thursday last, the water intended for the use of the borough, was
conducted from the spring to the reservoir situated at the eastern end of
the town, a distance of one mile and sixteen perches. This spring
throughout the year, discharges about sixty gallons of soft water,
entirely free from earthy and saline matters, per minute, and is lead to
the reservoir through earthen pipes 2 1/2 inches in calibre, laid about
three feet below the surface of the ground, with a fall of 116 feet.
The reservoir is built of stone, of the capacity of one thousand
hogsheads, and intended to be covered up with a frame building. The
water will be conducted through the principal streets by means of iron
pipes; and it is confidently expected that in the month of October, this
important work will be so far completed as to have a number of fire plugs
ready for use. From the reservoir to the court-house there will be
fall of 88 feet.
The earthen pipes were manufactured by Jesse Kersey of Chester county, an
enterprising mechanic, who is the first person to use them any
considerable distance. They are about 12 inches long and are
cemented together with a composition peculiarly his own. From the
experience he has had of their utility, he is satisfied they can be used
to convey water any distance, where they undergo no counter pressure, and
that they are more durable than any other pipes that are now in use.
The managers of the water company deserve the thanks of their fellow
citizens for prosecuring this noble work with so much diligence,
enterprize and expedition.
1821 Berks
and Schuylkill Journal, December 8, 1821, page 3.
NEW ESTABLISHMENT
Pots, Pans, Dishes, Basins, Jugs, Pitches, &c. &c.
For sale, wholesale and retail, on the most reasonable terms at the
READING POTTERY,
In North Callowhill Street, a few doors above the Post Office, under the
undersigned will also shortly be ready to supply
EARTHEN PIPES
For the conveyance of water under ground, an article that for cheapness,
cleanliness and durability is unequaled. All orders in their line
will be thankfully received and punctually attended to, by Ziba
Vickers and Benjamin Valentine,
trading under the firm of VICKERS & VALENTINE
1822 Berks
and Schuylkill Journal, October 19, 1822, page 3.
Water Works
To the Inhabitants of Reading.
In consequence of the recent establishment of the Water Works in the town
of Reading, the subscriber respectfully informs the inhabitants thereof,
that he has a quantity of lead and iron pipe of small calilbre, suitable
for the introduction of the water from the main pieps in the street into
their dwellings; he can put his pipes, hydrants, &c in at so low a
price as to make it an object of attention to them. When several
neighbors join, there will be much economy, particularly in the iron
pipes, and to those who are at a distance from the main pipe--his prices
are as follows:
To those who do their own diggint he will superintend the same, and
furnish:
Strong 1/2 inch lead pipe at 30 cts. per foot
do.
3/4 do. do.
40 do. do.
Extra do. 3/4 do.
do. 50 do. do.
Hydrants of different kinds, and all other articles, and all other
articles in Plumbing line proportionally low.
All work will be done immediately under the direction of the subscriber,
who, when employed, will forthwith repair to Reading with the proper hands
and execute the work which will enable him to warrant the same for a
certain number of years. Applications will be thankfully received
and promptly attended to by
JOHN PEARCE, Plumber, &c.
No. 12, South 5th street, Philadelpha
1822 Berks
and Schuylkill Journal, November 8, 1822, page 3.
We deem it necessary to call the attention of the citizens of this place
to the earthen pipes recently produced by Messrs. Vickers
and Valentine, for the purpose
of conveying water from the main pipes laid in our streets, into the yards
and dwellings of those who are desirous of being supplied with water by
the Reading Water Company.
Three pieces of earthen pipe, each twelve inches in length, were cemented
together, and made subject to the whole pressure of the water contained in
the reservoir for upwards of five minutes, without sustaining the lease
injury, and without showing the least particle of moisture on their
surface.
Messrs. Vickers and Valentine are so confident of succeeding in
substituting earthen for leaden pipes, that they are willing
to incur all responsibility.
When it is considered that the earthen pipes can be laid for an expense of
not more than 12 1/2 cents per foot, and that 30, 40, and 50 cents will be
the cost per foot of leaden pipes, it must be a matter of sufficient
interest and importance, to give the former a fair trial, particularly as
no expense will be risked, should be be found ineffectual or insufficient.
We think it the duty of the maters of the Reading Water Company, who
certainly have the interest of the stockholders at heart, to pay immediate
attention to the subject, as the reduction of the expenses incident to the
conveyance of water into the yards and dewellings of private families,
will increase the number of applicants for the same.
1824
Berks and Schuylkill Journal, July 17, 1824, page 3.
Owners of Hydrants in the borough of Reading, are advised to be as saving
as possible in their Hydrant water. Owning to the earthen pipes
failing, the supply of water from the spring to the reservoir is at
present but small and if by wasting it, the reservoir should become
exhausted, they would be deprived of that water for some time
altogether. New pipes are wood are now preparing, which will be laid
down with all possible dispatch, and when that is done an abundant and
constant supply may be expected.
1841 The Description of the Borough of Reading:
Containing Its Population, Institutions, Trade, Manufactures, &c.
&c., with a Notice of Its First Settlement, and Many Curious
Historical Matters, by William Stahle
Page 50: The Reading Water Company
1848 An act concerning Election of Managers of the Reading Water Company, April 11, 1848
1849 An act authorizing the Reading water company to increase their capital stock, and to borrow money, March 12, 1849
1864 An act revising the municipal charter of the city of Reading. April 24, 1864. Section 38 authorized the city to supply water and to purchase the Reading Water Company.
1882 Reading, from "The Water-Supply of Certain Cities and Towns of the United States," by Walter G. Elliot, C. E., Ph. D.
1888 "Reading," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.
1890 "Reading," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 "Reading," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1897 "Reading," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
1986 "Commons Water Works Opened in 1821," from The Passing Scene, Volume 4, by George M. Meiser and Gloria Jean Meiser.
© 2015 Morris A. Pierce