On the supply of water to Bombay.

Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the supply of water to Bombay. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    (T) 3 O o GO X n> 3 cr O C Cl • • ON ■-I era O •-1 Q- n> o O 2 3 p 5' tr^ illcome ID T r_. to pump from, A line of main pipes would be laid down from Bombay‘to this point, giving it a sufficient head to overcome any intermediate rise in the ground ; aiid with pumping engines, worked either by steam or animal power, as found most economical, there is no doubt, that with pipes of large bore, and sufficient pumping power, a great portion of the very large quantity of pure water annually poured into the sea at Koorla might be brought into Bombay, for the benefit of its inhabitants. Of course this supply would only last as long as the water in the nullah continued to flow. This is the first part of my plan for keeping the tanks full up to the end of December. 11. It may here be observed, that whilst the flow of water in the nullah is much in excess, during the continuance of the monsoon, that it is possible to bring the supply of water into the island without the expense of pumping. Supposing the head of water required at Koorla to be 30 feet, it is obvious, that by proceeding up the nullah until we arrive at that elevation, a line of pipe being laid down from this point to Koorla would effect a constant flow without further mechanical aid. It would only be a question of difference of expense between laying down such extra line of pipe and the cost of working the entwine for about three months of the monsoon. O 12. As to the extension of the plan for procuring a further supply than the above provides for:—In looking at the nullah throughout length, it will be found, I think, on accurate survey, to be well adapted to the formation of reservoirs, by having bunds thrown across at various points, which, on the water ceasing to flow in the nullah, might be opened as occasion required, their contents led down to the lowest reservoir, and thence pumped up. It fact, the nullah might be transformed into a chain of tanks, and good pure water preserved in the open country, instead of within the limits of the town, exposed to all the pollutions of such a vicinity. Expensive, no doubt, as such a plan would be by the time the whole of these works were completed, it is to be remembered that it would be extended over a series of years, as the whole system of tanks would not have to be formed at once, but only as an increased supply of water was called for. 13. There is, however, a locality in the neighbourhood of Koorla deservinp* Alternative Plan closest investigation, and should my ideas with for obtaining Water regard to it pi’ove well founded, there is, I think, every near ooi a. prospect of obtaining a fine and continued supply of drink- ing watei’, after that in the nullah has ceased to flow, and probably at much less cost than the construction of bunds in tiie bed of the nullah. 14. In proceeding along the road from Koorla, and about 2 miles from that village in the direction of Tanna, there is a range of hills on the right, which terminates in some curious spurs and knolls. These spurs include some valleys, which, from a hurried inspection, I believe to be large natural reser- voirs of water. In many parts the hei'bage is yet green and fresh on the surface. One or two old wells have 12 or 15 feet of beautiful cold spring-water in them. E2