It was in 1868 that the first steam engine was installed, and some relief was experienced.
Little by little other steam pumps were added, but so steady was the growth of population that there were constant fears of a shortage of water.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE RESERVOIRS
The pressure on the pipes having been constantly unsatisfactory, and owing to the city expanding towards the higher levels, the construction of the present reservoirs had been decided upon. The reservoir, called the McTavish reservoir, is of oblong shape with semi-circular ends, and so placed in the mountain slope that the surface of the rock is about level with the water surface on one side, and with its bottom on the other. The natural rock was used as a wall on the upper side, but on the lower side the water is maintained by a masonry wall which is solidly banked. The reservoir was divided transversely into two equal parts by a masonry wall, and when first completed contained thirteen and a half million gallons. Later on extensive enlargements were made, until today its capacity is 37,000,000 gallons. Its elevation when full is 204 feet above the harbour. The entire cost of the reservoir is about one million dollars. Under the gatehouse, which stands on the reservoir wall, is a well or distributing chamber. Into the bottom of this well the main pipes from the pumps are led, and opposite to them is a separate passage to each division of the reservoir. The pipes and passages are all controlled by gates, and by their means the water is turned off and on each division or main pipe, as may be desired. The water from the pumps at the Wheel House does not go first to the reservoir and thence to the city; the reservoir merely takes the overflow water from the pumps at the Wheel House and stores it for further use. In other words, it is a safety supply which the city can depend upon in the event of sudden breakdown of pumps. But the big reservoir, even when full, could not supply the city now for two days.
What is termed the High Level reservoir is considerably farther up the mountain than the McTavish reservoir. It was found necessary to construct this in order to supply the district above Sherbrooke Street; as the McTavish reservoir was at such an altitude that it could not give the required pressure for the more elevated districts of the city. The High Level reservoir draws its supply from the McTavish reservoir. Its pumping station is at the McTavish, and it is equipped with one 5,000,000 and one 2,000,000 gallon pump. At the pumping station at the Wheel House there are six steam pumps. The High Level reservoir is 212 feet higher than the McTavish, or 413 feet above the harbour. Its capacity is one and three-quarter million of gallons. Like the McTavish it is built in the solid rock and is a most substantial structure.
PUMPING PLANT IN 1912
As it is now the city’s intent to do all of the pumping by hydro-electric power, it will be of interest to note, especially for the future, what is the steam pumping plant of today.
The plant situated at the low level pumping station, Point St. Charles, is here seen:
- Engine No. 1, erected in 1886, ten million gallons, high duty ,Worthington.
- Engine No. 2, erected in 1894, ten million gallons, high duty, Worthington.
- Engine No. 3, erected in 1895, eight million gallons, low duty, Worthington.
- Engine No. 4, erected in 1905, twelve million gallons, high duty, Worthington.
- Engine No. 5, erected in 1909, twelve million gallons, turbine with Bellis-Marcum engine.
- Engine No. 6, erected in 1912, twelve million gallons, turbine with Bellis-Marcum engine.
The plant at the High Level reservoir is as follows: