Infrastructure and Utilities Sites

A water main construction project in Ithaca, New York was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $12,447 grant; the total cost of the project was $27,742. Work occurred between October 1935 and May 1936. (PWA Docket No. NY 1052)

A water main construction project was undertaken in Kettle Falls, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred during 1935. PWA Docket No. WA 5699

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.

A water main construction project was undertaken in McPherson, Kansas with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied an $11,461 grant toward the $40,585 total cost of the project. Work occurred between December 1933 and October 1934. (PWA Docket No. KS 1077)

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.

A water main construction project was undertaken in Naches, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred during 1935. PWA Docket No. WA 2959

A water main construction project in New Bedford, Mass. was undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket No. MA 2038

A water main construction project in North Andover, Mass. was undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket No. MA 1990

A water main construction project was undertaken in Oakley, Kansas with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. (PWA Docket No. KS 1394)

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

A water main construction project in Pleasantville, New York was undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $9,000 loan and $2,743 grant toward the $10,993 total cost of the project. Work occurred between June and September 1934. (PWA Docket No. NY 4031)

A water main construction project was undertaken in Port Orchard, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred during 1936. PWA Docket No. WA 1174

A water main construction project in Saranac Lake, New York was undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied an $11,000 loan and $4,095 grant; the total cost of the project was $15,632. Work occurred between July and October 1934. (PWA Docket No. NY 3440)

A water main construction project in Scribner, Nebraska was undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket No. 1730

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."

A water main construction project in Sundance, Wyoming was undertaken as a federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project during the Great Depression. PWA Docket No. WY 1035

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

A water main construction project was undertaken in WaKeeney, Kansas with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred between November 1934 and January 1935. (PWA Docket No. KS 2118)

A water main construction project in Wakefield, Mass. was undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket No. MA 1746

A water main construction project in White Plains, New York was undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $37,000 loan and $11,289 grant toward the $38,963 total cost of the project. Work occurred between July and September 1934. (PWA Docket No. NY 3663)

A water main construction project in Worcester, Mass. was undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket No. MA 1712

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.  

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.

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of a 1,250,000-gallon, concrete water reservoir in South Parkersburg. Project W. Va.-1029-R. Engineers McKinney and Paine of Parkersburg. The PWA provided a $94,714 grant for the project, whose total cost was $215,246. Primary construction occurred between Mar. 1936 and Jan. 1937.  

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...

In 1938, the Public Works Administration (PWA) gave a grant to the city of Martinez to help construct a 500,000 gallon water supply reservoir.  This is the old Mountain View reservoir (which is no longer in service) at the end of Harbor View Street, according to former City Engineer Tim Tucker.  (A second storage tank, still in service, can be found farther south at the end of Shady Glen Street) The City Council minutes for August 4, 1938 indicate that this was PWA Project #1749F. On August 17, the council transferred $7,000 to the PWA project account and another $2,097 was...

These storage tanks were built under the New Deal in the 1930s. They may be the tanks near the intersection of Redondo Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway—this half mile section of PCH was graded and paved under a federal grant in 1935—but confirmation is needed.

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.

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."

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of a water supply filtration system and canals in Hartford CT. Pictured are the filtration beds and canals. The exact location and condition of this facility are unknown to the Living New Deal.