Topics Water Supply

Use Water Wisely!

Laboratory Alkalinity test, ca. 1943

Water History: Making It Safe to Drink

Water History: Rebirth of the Rivers

Map Lover’s Monday: Looking for Cleaner Water

Sandy Run Watershed and the Holmesburg Water Works

Annual reports and other documents relating to Philadelphia’s water supply system, 1796-1941

PWD Celebrates Black History Month

Map Lover’s Monday: Fairmount Park, 1869

A hand-pumped fire engine made in Philadelphia in 1792. Water was stored in the copper lined wooden boxes, and two men (one pumping on each handle) forced the water up through the pipe on top, into a hose. (It can be assumed that a bucket brigade was used to keep the boxes filled.)

Hand-pumped fire engine, 1792

Fire axes and fire buckets were standard fire-fighting equipment in the 18th century. The buckets carried water; the axes were used to break into burning buildings. The speaking trumpet at the bottom was used to communicate with firefighters at the scene.

Fire equipment, late 18th century

Fairmount Park topographical map, showing East Park Reservoir, 1872

1949 National Board of Fire Underwriters map

Fire Underwriters’ Map, 1949

The Discovery Center: The creative reuse of an abandoned city reservoir

Thomas Meehan

Thomas Meehan, city councilman

Fairmount Water Works (Picturesque America)

Wire Bridge at Fairmount

Schuylkill Navigation lock at Fairmount, 1873

Dobson FLP

You would not have wanted to drink it: Philadelphia’s water supply in 1884

Pipe Aqueduct across Wissahickon Valley, 1868 (2004.057.0074.004)

Wissahickon Pipe Aqueduct, Roxborough to Mt. Airy, 1868

Hand-drawn and colored map depicting a river with streams branching off of it

Map Lovers’ Monday: 1891 Water Supply Plan

Plan of Philadelphia, John Hills, May 30, 1796

Plan of Philadelphia, John Hills, 1796

Queen Lane Reservoir pumping station

Queen Lane Pumping Station, proposed design

A man in glasses listening to the street through stethoscopes (2012.002.0043)

Listening for leaks

West Philadelphia (or 24th Ward) Water Works, 1855-1870

Early photographs of Fairmount and vicinity, 1848