Water Production & Recovery (Wooster, Ohio)

Water Production & Recovery (Wooster, Ohio)

Formerly called	Water Works
Type	Water supply systems
Industry	Public Administration;Utilities
Fate	Active
Headquarters	Wooster, Ohio, United States

Water Production & Recovery (Wooster, Ohio)

Headquarters	Wooster, Ohio, United States
Number of locations	1

Locations

• Water plant 1020 Old Columbus Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691
• Admin 1514 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster, Ohio, Wooster, Ohio 44691

Gallery

Maps

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  Sanborn Maps 1911 Apple Creek Station

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  Sanborn Maps 1923 Apple Creek Station - Not in Use

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  Sanborn Maps 1911 Bloomington Pump Station

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  Sanborn Maps 1923 - Bloomington Pump Station - Not in use

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  Sanborn Maps 1923 City of Wooster Booster Pumping Station

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  Sanborn Maps 1923 - Wooster Pumping Station

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  Sanborn Maps 1930 - Wooster Pumping Station

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  Sanborn Maps - Wooster Booster Pumping Station

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  Sanborn Maps 1930-1945 Wooster Booster Pumping Station

Newspaper articles

Newspaper full-text articles

Don't Waste Any Water: A Matter of Concern to Every Citizen

• Don't Waste Any Water: A Matter of Concern to Every Citizen

The scarcity of city water is causing an uneasiness, as in case a fire of any proportions the supply would soon give out. The pumps at the Reddick dam are kept going night and day, but no amount can be got ahead as the daily consumption has grown to be much greater that the supply from this source. The Water Trustees have had Superintendent Keyser keep the Bloomington reservoir in reserve in case the Reddick dam should give out and now that this has happened ____ wisdom of the plan is apparent. All consumers owe it to themselves and the city to be very careful and see that the water is not wasted.

On the order of Mayor Jeffries, Fire Chief Gerlach and Assistant Chief Marshal Ellsperman this morning made an inspection of the Reddick dam and Bloomington reservoir. They reported that the supply of water is low, but believe that it is sufficient for fire protection, if consumers will exercise care, but that if this is not done it will be wise to shut off all consumers.

BETTER WATER WORKS: WHAT WOOSTER WANTS AND CAN WELL HAVE; Report of Water Extension Commission to the City Council, Wooster, Oh. Nov. 19, 1894

• BETTER WATER WORKS: WHAT WOOSTER WANTS AND CAN WELL HAVE; Report of Water Extension Commission to the City Council, Wooster, Oh. Nov. 19, 1894

To the Honorable Council of the City of Wooster, Ohio. SIRS:-- Since receiving from you upon Oct. 1, 1894, the necessary appropriation and your ratification of our election of a consulting engineer, Your Water Extension Commission has diligently continued its investigations on the subject of securing an adequate and wholesome public wat supply. Previous reports have briefly outlined the discoveries your Commissioners have made and this final report will embrace a more dull discussion of the problem to be solved, the factors and coneitions (sic) affecting its solution, together with the conclusions of your commission, and the report, estimates of the cost and recommendations of our consulting engineer.

The very first question was: What do we want water for, for fire or domestic purposes, in short, for what sort of water must we make our search? If the city's present water supply were used for no other purpose than the extinguishment of fires, the Bloomington reservoir would have been brim full and the Reddick dam spillway overflowing all last summer and any search for a further supply a useless extravagance, in fact, the well in the Second ward, with its present maximum daily pumpage of about 40,000 gallons would furnish Wooster with fire protection water enough for years to come. It is easily seen, therefoere (sic), that a shortage of fire water should not have been Wooster's chief difficulty, even though Reddick's dam stood empty all summer, and the Bloomington supply was shut nearly off from two-thirds of the city. Why, therefore, this shortage? What caused the exasperation of so many scorched, thirsty and dust-___inded citizens last summer? The secretary of the Board of Water Works Trustees informs us that there are over 300 taps connected to the city water mains, and used in furnishing water to the citizens for boilers and other manufacturing purposes, for power water motors, for lawn and street sprinkling, for laundries, bath rooms and water closets, and for many other and more strictly domestic purposes.

Water! Water!! Water!!!

• Water! Water!! Water!!!

And the cry is Water, Water, in the long month of August!

There has been much talk in Wooster of late about the inadequate supply of Water. Chief among the men who are engaged in the crusade for pure Water are Professor Bennett, chemist at the University of Wooster and Minor Scovel.

It has been estimated that a satisfactory plant can be built for from $60,000 to $75,000.

In answer to the contention of the financial authorities of Wooster that the city has neither the money nor the authority to issue Bonds for the same, Professor Bennett says the Water from Applecreek, which is being now used, can, by a process of filteration, be rendered sufficiently pure for household purposes for $4,000.

Mr. Minor Scovel contents himself with saying that all the Council has to do is to get the money somewhere and build the plant. He does not cite any parties who are ready to furnish the money on the securities that the Council can now give that will stand the test of the courts.

It is true that on Saturday the Sinking Fund Commission of the City of Wooster sold bonds to the amount of $20,000 at par; but the Bonds were to refund second series of City Hall Bonds-- not to pay them-- and the proceeds of the sale can not be applied to any other purpose.

But is Wooster in the dire extremity as to Water that these two gentlemen would have the Council believe?

A few days ago, Mr. S. S. Shilling said that he had lived 43 years in the same house on North Market street, and that the well water on his lot was "living" water, and some years ago he had furnished water to a friend in Cleveland from that well, and that he, Mr. Shilling, had constantly used water from that well and that he had not in any way suffered from its use.

Mr. George Plummer, A. M. Parrish, John F. Barrett and many other persons have borne concurrent testimony as to the equally excellent quality of the water that issues from their wells.

At each of the Public School buildings, there is a well of excellent water from which the school children drink without peril to their health.

The Frick fountain, the new well at the Court House, the D. Nice fountain and the fountain at the Plank & Gray mill furnish water for the public also.

The Reddick dam was built principally for fire purposes; but it has become of general use for other purposes. The water in it is low now. Of late years it has been, and is now, adequately supplied from Applecreek. A larger pump and larger pipes to connect the pumping station with the mains at the junction of the streets at the Catholic church is advisable to keep the dam full and meet all demands.

The Bloomington reservoir is quite full. Water is pumped five hours a day. The Water, however, becomes warm by being exposed to the sun. If it could be kept filled with crushed ice the Water would be more palatable for drinking purposes.

Could the City bond itself heavily for another Water plant, the consumers, even the wash women, who might use it would have to pay for its use.

The people who have wells of good water that they use constantly would be taxed to maintain the new plant that Professor Bennett and Minor Scovel would have now foisted on the city. -- A CITIZEN.

=GOOD REPORT ABOUT WATER: Condition of Plant is Very Poor, However

• GOOD REPORT ABOUT WATER: Condition of Plant is Very Poor, However

By request of persons directly concerned, and for the information of users of city water, and in fact, all those who are interested in a better water supply for our city, the following figures are presented referring to receipts and disbursements of the city water works department during and including the year 1906:

Receipts for rates, meters, taxes and miscellaneous sources, $6,766.79.

EXPENDITURES.

Fuel and light, $1,536.77, labor, employees (sic) $1,281.33; extraordinary, lands, buildings, etc. $596.22; salary superintendent water works and streets $820; supplies and repairs, $376.41; tools and machinery $3?11.40; collection, water rent $186.83; incidentals and fixtures, expense of investigating plant $114.02; meters $104.86; stationery, printing, etc $57.35. Total $5,235.19.

Payment of loan for 1905, $1,084.65, total receipts $6,766.79, total paid out $6,316.84, amount on hand $149.95.

In addition to the above there was paid a bill of $300 for fuel for 1905 and another bill of $100 due employees at the beginning of the year 1906. Should these previous bills be eliminated there would be a balance in the treasury of about $2,000 over and above the expenses. There is estimated to be $200 due for water used during 1906 not payable yet under contract. The offices of superintendent of water works and street commissioner having been consolidated the entire salary was taken from the water works fund. This salary will be more nearly equalized during 1907. About $150 worth of fuel is stored at the Applecreek pumping station.

Absolutely necessary extensions and additions were made to the system as follows:

MANY NEW TAPS. Twenty-three new taps were placed with an estimated capacity of three million gallons of water. On account of the paving of College avenue the pipe line was extended on that street, at a considerable cost. Extensions were made to the East Vine street line. Reddick's dam and the city property adjoining was enclosed with a new fence. Many repairs were made to fire hydrants.

IS DANGEROUS. The pumping machinery and physical property at the Spink street pumping station is in a very satisfactory condition. The Applecreek pumping station is in a bad, even dangerous condition. The boiler of the engine has long since outlived its usefulness and if present conditions ___________ must be replaced very soon.

The postal card system of sending statements to water users has been adopted with considerable success in connection with new books. Many water users now _____ _____ check with the card by avoiding a trip to the office. Perhaps the most unpleasant feature of the collections has been the enforcement of the ____ against delinquent users. About $18 was collected ____ __ is source at the last collection. That ___ ___ must be strictly enforced is evident. In the department of _________ walks the streets _____ _________ conditions. Considerable paving's has been done to paved streets by raising low places and fixing ________ about sixty sidewalks were ___________ repaired which was ______/ Many others to whom ________________________ were unable to comply ______________ out of not being ______ to get ________________. About 150 more notices were already given or will be soon to _________________ start can __________ Respect_______ ____________ L. S. _________ John Nolle _______________ _____________________ Jas. P. Fisher, Supt. Water Works and Streets W. G. Patterson, Clerk

Many Lives in Peril: Serious Report Regarding City Water Supply

• Many Lives in Peril: Serious Report Regarding City Water Supply; Board of Health Find That Sewage Drains Into Reddick's Dam and Order Its Immediate Removal

The Board of Health has taken up the matter of abating the nuisance which pollutes the water in the Reddick dam and makes this source of the city's water supply a veritable cesspool. Dr. J. W. Lehr, health officer, and members J. G. Sanborn and Anthony Leies paid a visit to the Children's Home and after a thorough inspection decided that prompt and determined action should be taken in abating the nuisance. Dr. Lehr made a diagram which shows that the sewage from the Home is carried from the privy vaults by an 8-inch sewer to a point in the stream less than half a miles from the dam, and that all the surface drainage from the barn and pig pen at the Home and the barn and outbuildings on the Baum farm run down the ravine and empty into the stream which supplies the dam. Dr. Lehr stated that if typhoid fever should break out among the inmates of the Home it would be no time until there would be hundreds of cases in the city, that he believed this matter had been neglected long enough, and as the law was very clear on the question of contamination of water by drainage, he felt sure that the Board of Health would stand by him in his effort to abate what would without a doubt prove the source of an epidemic if not taken in hand. The Trustees of the Home and the owners of the Baum farm were notified today that the nuisance must be abated in ten days. The Trustees will have a meeting tomorrow afternoon and have asked Dr. Lehr to be present and make suggestions as to how to remedy the evil imperiling the city.

The Board of Health held a special meeting Friday night to take action on the matter. Messrs, Beer, Sanborn, Funck, Miller and Firestone were present. Dr. J. W. Lehr made a statement as to the reason for the call for the special meeting, and showed that the stream which emptied into the Reddick dam is polluted by sewage from the Children's Home and Baum farm yard.

Remarks were made by Messrs. Firestone, Funck, Beer, Miller and Mayor Jeffries. All agreed that it was the duty of the Board to abate the matter for the good of the community.

On motion of Mr. Funck the Health Officer was instructed to notify the trustees of the Children's Home and owner of the Baum farm that they abate the nuisance whereby the stream of water supplying Reddick's dam is now polluted, by excluding from said stream all of the drainage and sewage from the buildings, barns, barnyard, pig pen, chicken yards, or offal of any character, the same having been declared a menace to the health of residents of the city of Wooster using water from said Reddick dam, the nuisance to be abated within 10 days.

A number of complaints were received from citizens asking for the abatement of nuisances in the city, all of which the Health Officer was ordered to investigate.

MUST BE STOPPED: Skating on Reddick and Bloomington Reservoir

• MUST BE STOPPED: Skating on Reddick and Bloomington Reservoir

Many people during the last few days have been making skating places out of the ice on the Bloomington reservoir and Reddick's dam. While many may not be aware of the fact, such use of city water supply is against the law. Supt. Fisher and Chief Leiner visited both places Saturday afternoon and gave notice to those whom they found skating that the practice must be stopped, and also posted notices.

CITY WATER LOW: Consumers Must Not Waste Supply; Condition Serious

• CITY WATER LOW: Consumers Must Not Waste Supply; Condition Serious

The dry weather of the last few days and the enormous consumption of water by consumers has caused the supply of water in both the Reddick dam and the Bloomington reservoir to go down to a stake that makes it very important that all waste and needless use be cut down. The pump at the Apple Creek station is being run steadily, yet the amount of water cannot be kept up to stage for safety in case of fire. Supt. Fisher says that he believes that if the people will use the water a little more sparingly that there will be no occasion to turn off water anywhere. Citizens should unite in husbanding the water supply.

Kistler Has Second Article With Figures About Annexation

• Kistler Has Second Article With Figures About Annexation: Editor Wooster Record, Wooster, O.

I will give you my second article on the cost of annexation of Bloomington to Wooster. But I first want to prove part of my first article which just happened to come about. In my first article I stated the extra cost would be for pumping water around $6.00 for 3 hours extra pumping, which I tried to keep within a conservative figure. Then on Saturday, July 31, Service Director Adams gives the cost of operation at the plant at $2.59 per hour, which would be $7.50 for 3 hours, so you see I did not over estimate when I said $6. However, each of our articles were separate, but I only want to show the people I mean to tell the truth. If we annex Bloomington we must place a standpipe at the highest point possible to get best results near the old No. 8 school house would be an elevation of 1200 feet. Our old standpipe at Reddick dam is 1144 feet now; we would have a difference of 56 feet of elevation to raise the water and then the standpipe should be elevated on stilts, which would be more extra cost in the way of pumping water to such a high point. We would have about a mile of 12 in. main at $3.50 per foot or $18,480 for one mile, plus the right of way across property from Reddick's dam to the standpipe. The cost of a 2 million standpipe would be $30,000. The cost of one square mile of water mains for Bloomington would be around $63,000 and water mains are paid out of the general fund of a city or out of special water bonds and are not paid for by the abutting property owners, as some people have told me was the case. Now I will give more articles from time to time on this cost and will try to have the figures very conservative, and if any interested bidding firm gives any lower figures I will try to hold those bidders to their figures if they get the work, if annexation should carry. I will give you a tabulated gross cost and Wooster's cost will be 20 times bigger than Bloomington's cost. My next article will tell about new school house in Bloomington, extra teachers, fire and police protection. -- Jos F. Kistler, Councilman 1st Ward.

Newspaper ads

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Newspaper citations with no attached images

• September 29, 1893: "Reddick Dam Dry- Warning to Water Consumers: "Superintendent of Water Works Educard Keyser this afternoon informed us that the Reddick dam is dry. This makes the third time this dam has given out in three years. The only source of city water now is from the Bloomington reservoir. The situation is one that concerns all citizens and all consumers should exercise care and judgement and see that water is not wasted."", Wooster Daily Republican, p. 4.

• December 11, 1907: "Auto Makes a Bad Fire: Water Weak in Effort to Extinguish Flames", Wooster Republican, p. 8.

• March 18, 1908: "A business man asked The Republican to suggest to the board of public service that now would be a good time to have the paved streets washed and cleaned up. There is plenty of water in the Reddick dam for the purpose and that the emptying of the water might help clear up the supply from the dam.", Wooster Republican, p. 8.

• September 16, 1908: "Moonlight Picnic: "Reddick's Dam was the destination of a jolly party of young people on Wednesday evening where they enjoyed a "Moonlight picnic." The evening, though a little cook, was an ideal one for an event of this kind, and was enjoyed to the utmost. After the serving of the fine supper the young ladies had prepared, a marshamallow (sic) roast was the principal event. At an appropriate hour the young ladies and gentlemen wended their way homeward making the woods and ____ resound with their merry songs and laughter.", Wooster Republican, p. 7.

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