Topics Water Supply

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

Thomas Meehan

Thomas Meehan, city councilman

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

Listening for leaks

A section of wooden water pipe, long out of service, removed from a Philadelphia street in 1901. It had been installed about 1801.

Wooden Water Pipe, removed from Market Street, December 6, 1901

Bethlehem Water Works, 2011

A Roman aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, 2006

Roman Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain

Black-and-white photo of a man standing in a long trench

Sludge Drying Beds, Essen Nord, Germany

Black-and-white image of two cylinders on a white surface

Effects of Expansion of Gas Bubbles in Enscher Sludge Shown in Right-Hand Cylinder

Black-and-white image showing a man standing in a large concrete half-pipe

Thomas Run sewer outlet during construction

Black-and-white image of workers in a pit with a sewer opening behind them and text

Frankford Creek: Sad History of an Urban Stream title page

PWD water tech at the Philly Home Show, 1960

PWD water tech at the Philly Home Show, 1960 (detail)