DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR A GREATER ST. LOUIS, MO. [with DISCUSSION]

It is only through the scientific control and distribution of water that the people of this country, with its great industries, have been able to enjoy such an important position among the nations of the world. Without waterworks there could be no great centers of population and wealth, or even so great a number of medium sized cities and towns as there exists today. Neither would it be possible for gigantic industries to operate and produce as efficiently as they do today. The early growth and development of the St. Louis waterworks has been typical of most municipal plants, in financial and political entanglements. Our early history shows that about 1829, when the population of St. Louis was 5,852, two enterprising citizens, by name, J. C. Wilson and Abraham Fox, entered into an agreement with the city to build and conduct a water works. It was stipulated that the supply to the citizens should be uclarified water." The source of the supply was the "Muddy Mississippi River." A settling basin 80 by 40 by 12 feet was excavated near the pumping station at the foot of Dickson Street. The pumping plant consisted of two rotary pumps, that were originally built for fire engine use. However, it seems that the settling basin was never used as the water was pumped directly from the River. Later a reservoir 62 by 55 by 15 feet was built at Collins and Bates (now Dickson) Streets, with a capacity of 350,000 gallons. Water was pumped to this reservoir through a 6-inch cast iron main, and from there it flowed by gravity to the city distribution system, which consisted of 2-, 3and 4-inch mains, together with 12 fire hydrants. In 1835 the city purchased the waterworks and expanded and improved it to meet the rapidly increasing demands. In 1871 the