The Formal Opening of the New Water Filtration System at Pelham Reservoir on August 1, 1894

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Until the late 19th century, citizens of the Town of Pelham and the Village (later City) of Mount Vernon obtained their water from wells and, in earlier days, streams.  As the population of the region grew, however, the quality of local well water degraded and concerns arose over the ability of subterranean water to satisfy the ever-expanding need for water in the ever-growing suburban region.

The Village of Mount Vernon was first supplied with water by the Mount Vernon Water Company, which was originally incorporated January 28, 1882, by "33 then leading and representative citizens of Mount Vernon."  Initially, the company sank an artesian well and pumped the water into a standpipe to supplement local water supplies.  Soon, it became apparent that such a system would not suffice.  Moreover, other nearby communities including the settlements known as Pelham Manor and Pelhamville were also beginning to look for a larger, more-reliable water source.  To make matters worse, in 1886 the area was in the midst of an extended, severe drought.

The Mount Vernon Water Company was succeeded by the New York and Mount Vernon Water Company, incorporated January 23, 1886.  The controlling interest of this company was in New York City.  The New York and Mount Vernon Water Company arranged for local property rights along the Hutchinson River and dammed the river to create what came to be known as Pelham Reservoir (sometimes referenced as the "Pelhamville Reservoir").  On Friday, August 6, 1886, water began flowing into the newly-constructed Pelham Reservoir.  From there, the water began flowing throughout Mount Vernon through two miles of new water mains sealed with tar.

Local residents were unhappy.  The water was yellowish.  It tasted "tarry."  Many believed that it did not match the quality or purity of the clear artesian well water to which they had become accustomed.  Complaints were loud and many.  Soon the Pelham Reservoir water system changed hands and became the property of the New York City Suburban Water Company.

Among the many ways the New York City Suburban Water Company addressed complaints over the quality of the water was the design and construction of a massive, state-of-the-art water filtration system by which water was cascaded over filter beds to be aerated and to have particulate matter removed.  

The filtration system was a modern marvel for its day.  Shortly before its formal unveiling, a local newspaper described it as follows:

"The lower section of the old reservoir has been dammed off with the exception of a narrow way along the bed of the creek on the eastern side.  The remainder of the lower section has been thoroughly cleaned and divided into three 'filter beds.'  Two of those are to the south, the other lying directly above.  They now present the appearance of three well-kept tennis courts, nicely evened off.  Each is divided from the other by a handsome dam of cobblestones, a walk having been constructed along the top.

These filters are about four feet deep.  They consist of eighteen inches of sand and under this four layers of gravel.  Below this gravel is a system of piping which carries the filtered water into a central 'well,' from which it is pumped into the city mains.  These filters are so arranged that they may be used separately or together.  Their combined capacity is estimated at 5,000,000 gallons daily.  The present city consumption is a little under 1,500,000 gallons in the same time.  The filtration desired is secured by the water, which is let in to a depth of two feet, flowing over and through the several stratas of sand and gravel.  The system is one similar to the one employed at Lawrence, Mass., which was established there by the State Board of Health.

The method by which these filters are to be fed is both novel and picturesque.  The southern one lies below a cascade over rocks and masonry, which form a basin at the bottom to break the fall of the water.  Over this a stream of water will be kept running continually, dashing over the rocks below with a beautiful effect and at the same time the water receiving the benefit of the resulting aeration.  The other filters are to be fed from pipes ending in a fountain."  [See full text of article with citation and link below.]

Once construction of the filter beds was complete, both the New York City Suburban Water Company and the communities surrounding the reservoir including Pelhamville and Pelham Manor were justifiably proud.  On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 1, 1894, the New York City Suburban Water Company hosted a formal opening of the new water filtration system.  

A crowd of a "large number" of local residents gathered at the Pelham Reservoir shortly before 4 p.m. that day.  Festivities began at 4:00.  A major stockholder of the company, a "Mr. Mahoney," delivered opening remarks and introduced Mayor Edward F. Brush of Mount Vernon.  The Mayor remarks were brief but pointed.  He pulled no punches and recognized the failings of earlier efforts to deliver pure potable water from Pelham Reservoir.  Yet, he focused optimistically of the future and made clear his hope that the future "would be free from all disputes between the citizens and the company."

At 4:20 p.m., the young daughter of notable New Rochelle resident Joseph Stephenson, named Agnes, stepped to a key and turned it to release water into the filtration system.  Once again, a local newspaper described the moment Agnes Stephenson turned the key:

"[She] turned the key, which released the water into the pool at the head of the beautiful cataract, which has been constructed.  Six minutes later the pool was filled and the first water trickled over the brim and started on its journey over the rocks.  Soon these were covered with the foaming sheet of water and the system was in full operation.  The effect is a very pretty one and this new pleasure spot should be visited by all.  The system and its workings were fully described in the last issue of The Chronicle."  [See full text and citation of the article below.]

Once the filtration system was in operation, the crowd retired to the pump-house where "refreshments were served" and the "entire affair ended as it commenced, a complete success."

The Town of Pelham, it seemed, would have drinkable water at least for the next two decades or so. . . . 

Undated Photograph of Pelham Reservoir, Ca. 1902, Showing Filter

Beds in the Distance on the Left as Well as the Pump House in Which

the Reception Was Held on August 1, 1894.  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

Detail of 1910 Map Showing Pelham Reservoir and Filter

Beds. Source: Bromley, George W. & Bromley, Walter S., Untitled

Map Bounded by Town of East Chester, City of New Rochelle, Pelham

Station, Clarefmont Avenue and Central Boulevard in Atlas Of Westchester

County, Vol. One, p. 17 (Philadelphia, PA: G. W. Bromley & Co., 1910).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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I have written on a number of occasions regarding the history of the Pelham Reservoir and its use as a water supply for the surrounding region.  See, e.g.:  

Fri., Nov. 24, 2017:  Hutchinson River Parkway Detritus Was Used to Fill Much of the Pelham Reservoir in 1925.

Wed., Mar. 11, 2015:  Research Regarding the History of the Pelham Reservoir in Today's Willsons Woods Park.

Wed. May 27, 2015:  A Portion of the Pelham Reservoir Dam Was Destroyed in 1896 to Save the Filter Beds.

Tue., May 26, 2015:  1921 Report of Inspection of the Pelham Reservoir Water Supply System.

Mon., May 04, 2015;  Pelham Manor's Efforts to End Use of the Pelham Reservoir for Drinking Purposes.

Wed., Mar. 11, 2015:  Research Regarding the History of the Pelham Reservoir in Today's Willsons Woods Park.

*          *          *          *          *

"Citizens Now Have Filtered Water.
-----
The New Filtration and Aeration System of Our Local Water Company Went Into Operation Yesterday Afternoon.
-----

Yesterday afternoon, the formal opening of the new filtration system of the New York City Suburban Water Company at the Pelhamville reservoir occurred.  A large number of the residents of Mount Vernon had accepted the invitation of the company to be present on this occasion and see the water flow over the new course.

It was a few minutes after four when Mr. Mahoney, a stockholder in the company, welcomed the guests in the name of his colleagues and that of the company.  In a few words he introduced Mayor Edward F. Brush, who responded in a happy vein.  His remarks were short but appropriate.  He did not cover over the faults of the company in the past, but spoke of the future, which he hoped would be free from all disputes between the citizens and the company.

It was twenty minutes after four when Miss Agnes Stephenson, daughter of Mr. Joseph Stephenson of New Rochelle turned the key, which released the water into the pool at the head of the beautiful cataract, which has been constructed.  Six minutes later the pool was filled and the first water trickled over the brim and started on its journey over the rocks.  Soon these were covered with the foaming sheet of water and the system was in full operation.  The effect is a very pretty one and this new pleasure spot should be visited by all.  The system and its workings were fully described in the last issue of The Chronicle.

Later, refreshments were served in the pump-house and the entire affair ended as it commenced, a complete success."

Source:  Citizens Now Have Filtered Water -- The New Filtration and Aeration System of Our Local Water Company Went Into Operation Yesterday Afternoon, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 2, 1894, Vol. XXV, No.. 1648, p. 2, col. 5.

"Improvements to Our Water Supply.
-----
Three Filters That Will Purify the Water Before it will be Distributed.
-----
The Chronicle, Through Its Representative, Pays the Water Works a Visit of Inspection.
-----

A visit to the Pelhamville reservoir of the water company reveals many changes and improvements during the last few months.  What formerly looked to a large extent like a mud hole now bears a very attractive appearance and when the improvements are entirely completed, the place will partake largely of the aspect of a park.

The lower section of the old reservoir has been dammed off with the exception of a narrow way along the bed of the creek on the eastern side.  The remainder of the lower section has been thoroughly cleaned and divided into three 'filter beds.'  Two of those are to the south, the other lying directly above.  They now present the appearance of three well-kept tennis courts, nicely evened off.  Each is divided from the other by a handsome dam of cobblestones, a walk having been constructed along the top.

These filters are about four feet deep.  They consist of eighteen inches of sand and under this four layers of gravel.  Below this gravel is a system of piping which carries the filtered water into a central 'well,' from which it is pumped into the city mains.  These filters are so arranged that they may be used separately or together.  Their combined capacity is estimated at 5,000,000 gallons daily.  The present city consumption is a little under 1,500,000 gallons in the same time.  The filtration desired is secured by the water, which is let in to a depth of two feet, flowing over and through the several stratas of sand and gravel.  The system is one similar to the one employed at Lawrence, Mass., which was established there by the State Board of Health.

The method by which these filters are to be fed is both novel and picturesque.  The southern one lies below a cascade over rocks and masonry, which form a basin at the bottom to break the fall of the water.  Over this a stream of water will be kept running continually, dashing over the rocks below with a beautiful effect and at the same time the water receiving the benefit of the resulting aeration.  The other filters are to be fed from pipes ending in a fountain.  

The grounds around the dam and pump-house are all graded and seeded.  Walks are being laid out and the vicinity will soon be a pleasant park and an ornament to the city.

Within a short time formal opening ceremonies are to be held, when the water will be turned on for the first time."

Source:  Improvements to Our Water Supply -- Three Filters That Will Purify the Water Before it will be Distributed -- The Chronicle, Through Its Representative, Pays the Water Works a Visit of Inspection, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 26, 1894, Vol. XXV, No. 1647, p. 1, col. 5.

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