Work Relief Programs Sites

The Works Progress Administration contributed $3,356 toward the construction of water mains in Anchorage, Alaska, between 1939 and 1940.  We have no further details on what was done or where. The photo of a fire hydrant is purely symbolic.

Barre relied heavily on federal funds and labor during the Great Depression to improve and develop its water distribution system. The city's annual reports attest that work began under the Emergency Relief Administration (E.R.A.) and persisted several years with the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.). As part of these efforts, larger water mains were installed under many roads; older mains were dug up, relaid, and lowered further underground to prevent winter freezing; and the network was generally expanded.

1939 MDC annual report: "Contract No. 128, P.W.A. Docket No. Mass. 1516-F — Mass. State Project No. D-203, was made with M. DeMatteo Construction Company of Roslindale on October 18, 1938 for the sum of $187,617.50, and was accepted by the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works on October 20, 1938. The work on this contract comprised the furnishing and laying of about 11,000 linear feet of 36-inch steel water pipe for reinforcing Southern High-service Pipe Lines to Milton, Quincy and the Dorchester District of Boston." "The work on this contract was completed on October 6 at a total expenditure of $223,377.59." The W.P.A....

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed seven blocks of water mains in Hillsboro, North Dakota in a project completed in Feb. 1937.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) constructed 3,100 feet of water mains in Hopkinton, Iowa: "bout 500 feet near the school, a 300-foot extension just south of the business section and several blocks running east to the water tower ... In this latter stretch it was necessary to dynamite solid rock the entire depth of the ditch for 300 feet."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook multiple projects in Livingston, New Jersey. "Among the local WPA projects are a sewing project for women, road building, the laying of water mains and the clearing of lands at the Civic Centre Park."

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) laborers constructed water mains in Mansfield, MA.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed water mains in Massena, New York during the mid-1930s.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed nearly 5,000 feet of water mains along Maple Ridge Road in Medina, New York in 1937, extending the reach of the town's water system to some of its more rural residents.

A water main construction project in Minot, North Dakota was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $9,000 grant for the project, whose total cost was $18,645. Work occurred between November 1938 and June 1939. (PWA Docket No. ND X1207) Additionally, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) also constructed water mains in Minot between 1936 and 1938, as evidenced by municipal archive imagery.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed two miles of water mains in Ogdensburg, New York, including along Proctor Avenue.

A 1939 article cited work the WPA had been accomplishing in Stoughton, Mass. "The water main projects are employing upwards of 30 men and this project has given steady work to a similar number of men and a few more since last spring."

The WPA installed water mains around Takome Park, Maryland, including along Saratoga Avenue (now part of Maryland Route 320).

An early Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in North Bend, Nebraska was described as follows: Sewer and water main extension In the city of North Bend. This includes: 638 feet of 24 inch concrete pipe to be laid for storm sewer; 640 feet of 15 inch concrete pipe to be laid for storm sewer; 115 feet of 4 inch water main and fire hydrant to be placed; 248 feet of copper pipe and 175 feet of 4 inch sewer pipe to be laid with public rest room. Nine persons assigned to work on this project. An additional sanitary sewer project in North...

In 1936, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) assisted the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in laying a 36" diameter water main from 25th Avenue and East 20th St in Oakland to Estudillo Boulevard in San Leandro.   Running more than five miles, the water pipeline replaced infrastructure that had been put in place almost fifty years earlier.  

In 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed 2,600 feet of reinforced concrete water pipe in Pico Rivera, CA. The project was constructed at a total cost of $23,283 on the west bank of the San Gabriel River between Beverly Blvd and Siphone Road.

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed water pipes in Clinton, MA.

Annual Reports for the City of Montpelier detail expenses and locations for many sewer projects undertaken by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the city. The 1936 report details work undertaken in 1935: "75 feet of 1 1/2" pipe beyond the Murray Farm and 1353 feet of 4" pipe on Main Street increased to 6" pipe which including that which was relaid last year extends 6" pipe to the Calvin Murray farm, these were made as W.P.A. Projects. The work has made more water available with better pressure in case of fire." 1937 report: "New extensions were made as follows as W.P.A. work:...

The Works Progress Administration built a water reservoir in Newcastle, Weston County, likely the Reservoir several miles east of town.

In 1936, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) began constructing a water reservoir in Pico Rivera, CA. Construction of the 50’x180’x12’ reservoir was completed for $25,722.

As part of a major Works Progress Administration grant to the city of Biloxi in 1935-1936, a 500,000 gallon reservoir for storing water for drinking and fire fighting was completed at a cost of $20,127.31 for the City Water Works Department, along with repairs to the existing reservoirs. The sponsor contributed $5,025.71. The project entailed excavation, grading, backfilling, terracing and sodding, the making of concrete forms, pouring concrete and setting steel reinforcement, and installing water mains. Workers included 32 laborers, 14 skilled workers, 7 intermediate, plus a timekeeper and superintendent for the job. The new reservoir was located at the...

A 6'3"-span stone arch bridge on Water Street, in Tewksbury, New Jersey, was widened by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The structure is located approximately halfway between Longview Rd. and Rockaway Rd.

An article in The Ithaca Journal identified numerous Civil Works Administration (CWA) efforts in Ithaca, New York, including "Giles and Water Streets grading."

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked on a land reclamation and shore beautification project on the south shore of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. As part of the project Water Street was widened by 12 feet and paved with macadam. Sidewalks and curbs were installed and 300 feet of hedges were transplanted.

Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted the following work in Plymouth, Massachusetts. WPA Bulletin: Additional Parking Space for the thousands of visitors who annually visit historical Plymouth Rock will be provided with the completion of this WPA Water Street stone sea-wall.

Two New Deal work relief programs: the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) were responsible for a massive project to improve and expand the water supply for Asheville. In addition to a dam and accompanying facilities at the North Fork / Burnett Reservoir, the project included extensive pipe work. Asheville Citizen-Times: "Begun Under CWA In 1933, Resumed By FERA In 1934 With completion of the North Pork water line project by forces of the North Carolina Emergency Relief administration recently, the supply of water from the North Fork watershed has been doubled. The project consisted of the removal of eight...

"An adequate domestic water supply for Gold Bar, Snohomish County, is assured under a recent Works Progress Administration allotment of $8,627, for setting up a project to construct a conversion dam and lay a feeder pipe to the town. The work ... will begin approximately November 26, 1937. In applying for the federal grant the town of Gold Bar raised $3,008 to buy pipe and other needed materials. The 25 men slated to work on the project will be drawn from the unemployed rolls of Snohomish County. The finishing touches on the dam, pipeline and the road which will give access...

"An emergency Works Progress Administration project in Goldfield relieved a severe water crisis by connecting mains to a supply in Rabbit Springs."

Rebuilding the water supply system was part of the massive amount of public works projects undertaken in this small industrial city. In the winter of 1993/34, under the Civil Works Administration, the Mayor said "work was accomplished at great odds, inclement temperature, ground frozen to a depth of over four feet in some places. Let me, very briefly, tell you what work was accomplished: 4100 feet of six inch water pipe was laid on Sabattus Road. 8500 feet of six inch was laid on Webster Road. 600 feet of six inch water pipe on South Avenue. 4400 feet of eight inch water pipe at Barkerville,...

1935 Report of the Livermore Falls Water District With the aid of a W.P.A. project much necessary work is being done removing bushes and waste matter around the shore. 1936 Report of the Livermore Falls Water District Recognizing the fact that much better service should be given to certain localities in our Town and in the village of Chisholm where water is used from our High Pressure System both for Domestic and Fire Protection your Trustees were fortunate to get through a W. P. A. Project to install 2500 feet of 8 inch pipe beginning at the 12 inch main at Spring Street and...

The Federal government assisted the city of Murray, Utah by expanding its municipal water supply. This was accomplished by "driving tunnels into the hillside at McGhie Springs." The area known as McGhie Springs is located at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Among the extensive work conducted by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Morton County, North Dakota was the following: "Throughout the county 4.17 miles of watermains, 131 water connections, one water well, 1.7 miles of sewers and 23 manholes and catch-basins were built. This work was located in New Salem, Almont and Hebron."

Among the extensive work conducted by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Morton County, North Dakota was the following: "Throughout the county 4.17 miles of watermains, 131 water connections, one water well, 1.7 miles of sewers and 23 manholes and catch-basins were built. This work was located in New Salem, Almont and Hebron."

Among the extensive work conducted by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Morton County, North Dakota was the installation of a "50,000 gallon per day capacity storage tank was installed at New Salem." The WPA worked to improve the water system in the city. "Throughout the county 4.17 miles of watermains, 131 water connections, one water well, 1.7 miles of sewers and 23 manholes and catch-basins were built. This work was located in New Salem, Almont and Hebron."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a water supply system in Forman, North Dakota in a project completed in 1939.

Grays Harbor water system improvement was one of a number of WPA and PWA projects in Washington State: "At a cost of $97,385 the project greatly improved the water delivery system. The town previously relied on well water that was going to become salty and undrinkable within 12-18 months."

In August 1938, the city of Juniata was awarded a grant of $20,090.00 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for the construction of a water supply system.

Minerva, New York had no water system until the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed one for the community ca. 1940-1. The project included "installing water mains, developing springs, laying pipe lines, placing valves and appurtenant work."

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 announced: A project "expected to swing into action December 20, is financed by a WPA grant of $174,763, and will provide the City of Vancouver, Wash. with an entirely rebuilt domestic water system within one year."

Multiple waterworks construction project were undertaken in Wilmington, Delaware with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Work on the projects in 1934. It is also listed in the records of the WPA. (PWA Docket No. DE 1317, W1015) The building pictured has since been demolished.