Water Supply Sites

In the town reports of Rochester, the town resolutions of 1933 and 1934 talk about federal help for the construction of a standpipe and pump. "RESOLUTION TO APPLY SINKING FUND TO NOTES PAYABLE ACCOUNT AND MAKE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL LOAN Resolved by the City Council of the City of Rochester: That the Finance Committee be authorized to transfer the sinking fund to the Notes Payable Account, making the amount available for this purpose $70,000.00 and application be made to the Federal Government for a loan for Improvement of Water Works System for a sum not to exceed $300,000.00. Said loan to be placed and...

In 1934 the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) completed a Civil Works Administration (CWA) to dramatically expand the capabilities of the water supply system for Tazewell, Virginia. The project included laying seven miles of six-inch water line. Plans also called for construction of a permanent reservoir.

Two water system construction projects: one for a water tank and another for water mains in Valley Falls, Kansas were undertaken as federal Public Works Administration (PWA) projects. Water main, PWA Docket No. Kan. 1108: The PWA provided an $8,590 grant for the project, whose total cost was $19,382. Construction started in Dec. 1935 and was completed in Mar. 1936. Water tank: PWA Docket No. Kan. 1417: The PWA provided a $3,713 grant for the project, whose total cost was $9,089. Construction started in Oct. 1938 and was completed in Jan. 1939. The status and locations of the projects are presently unknown to...

"Final approval of two improvement projects for the City of Yakima was announced today by Don G. Abel, Works Progress Administrator. Construction of a new unit to the municipal water system is guaranteed by a total allotment of $14,498, of which the WPA will supply $7,342 and the city $7,156. Of this amount the federal grant will be used to pay the wages of the fifty WPA workers to be employed and the city's portion used to purchase valves, pipe and other materials needed to complete the extension. Initial operations are expected to begin November 29."

Ashland's water system was greatly expanded during the 1930s as a result of federal assistance. Work included: High St.: The federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) extended the water main system along High Street in 1933. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed wells there in 1935. Union St.: The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) extended the water system along Union St., E. Union St., and W. Union St. starting in 1935. Metropolitan Ave. (W.P.A., started 1935) Olive St. (W.P.A., started 1935) Cedar St. (W.P.A., 1937) Tri St. and Eliot St. (W.P.A., 1937) Prospect St. (W.P.A., 1937)

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook an extension of the water system in Oak Ridge, Louisiana during the Great Depression. Public utilities projects, including such water supply and purification systems, accounted for ten percent of all WPA spending during the period. The Oak Ridge water system project in the Morehouse parish employed 37 men.

Multiple waterworks development projects in Bismarck, North Dakota were undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. For one project, the PWA supplied a $22,222 grant for the project, whose total cost was $49,540. Work occurred between April and November 1936. For another water main construction project, the PWA supplied a $29,081 grant for the project, whose total cost was $62,504. Work occurred between October 1938 and April 1939. (PWA Docket No. ND W1128, X1208)

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) worked to improve the water system in Clearmont, Wyoming. Cassity: "At Clearmont, the water main was repaired at the same time the streets were resurfaced, and the laying of four hundred feet of water pipe on Big Horn Avenue improved the water pressure for the residences." It is unclear whether this refers to a project in Sheridan, as there is a Big Horn Avenue in Sheridan though not in Clearmont. Cassity refers to a similar project in Sheridan in the subsequent sentence.

A waterworks improvement project in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas were undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the Great Depression. Work occurred between July and September 1934. (PWA Docket No. KS 3576)

A waterworks improvement project was undertaken in Cushing, Oklahoma during the Great Depression with the assistance of a federal Public Work Administration (PWA) grant. Construction occurred between 1938 and 1939. PWA Docket No. OK 1364.

A substantial waterworks improvement project was undertaken in El Reno, Oklahoma during the Great Depression with the assistance of a federal Public Work Administration (PWA) grant. The PWA provided a $36,112 grant to the city for the project, whose eventual total cost was $80,642. Construction occurred during 1936. PWA Docket No. OK 1044.

A waterworks improvement project in Fredericksburg, Virginia was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $50,850 grant for the project, whose total cost was $113,165. Work occurred between September 1938 to August 1939. (PWA Docket No. VA W1227)

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted sizable construction work to improve and expand the water system in Fulton, New York. The work employed 75 men for three months; 4,000 feet of 12-inch pipe and 800 feet of 8-inch pipe were laid.

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Gloversville, New York was undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $50,954 grant; the total cost of the project was $186,676. Work occurred between August 1934 and January 1935. (PWA Docket No. NY 3382)

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Goshen, New York was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $32,067 grant; the total cost of the project was $71,537. Work occurred between April and November 1936. (PWA Docket No. NY 1204)

A large waterworks improvement project in Grand Forks, North Dakota was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $123,525 grant for the project, whose total cost was $271,947. Work occurred between October 1938 and November 1939. (PWA Docket No. ND X1191)

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) improved the water system in Greybull, Wyoming. Cassity: "As for running water, Greybull's experience was repeated at a number of other communities. CWA workers replaced a wrought iron water line on Third Avenue with cast iron pipe and replaced 2,200 feet of pipe on Greybull Avenue: “This change of pipe was badly needed and the change of pipe has helped to greatly improve the Greybull Water System."

The WPA allocated $11,000 for city water system improvements in Hardin, Montana in August 1938.

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Holbrook, Arizona was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $39,000 loan and $11,000 grant; the total cost of the project was $51,845. Work occurred between August and November 1936. We do not know the specifics of this project.  

Cassity: "In Jackson, Mayor C. W. Huff put workers on an ambitious project to expand and supplement the town’s water system."

Big Timber Pioneer reported in late 1935 that: "The first works progress project in Flathead county is to consist of renewing 6,600 feet of water mains, which will complete the city water system, according to Mayor Bruckhauser of Kalispell. The WPA will furnish the labor and the city the materials."

Multiple waterworks improvement and construction projects in Lawrence, Kansas were undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the Great Depression. (PWA Docket No. KS 1365, 2115)

A waterworks improvement project in Lexington, Virginia was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $46,919 grant for the project, whose total cost was $104,676. Work occurred between January and November 1936. (PWA Docket No. VA W1182)

A waterworks improvement project in Linn, Kansas were undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the Great Depression. The PWA provided a loan of $22,000 and grant of $9,246 toward the $31,462 total cost of the project. Construction occurred between August 1934 and June 1935. (PWA Docket No. KS 2710)

A waterworks development project in Mandan, North Dakota was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $33,600 loan and $13,178 grant for the project, whose total cost was $46,039. Construction occurred between June and October 1935. (PWA Docket No. ND 1081)

"Some of the early projects implemented  included ... lowering the water lines in Monticello to make the water cooler and help retard leakege."

A municipal waterworks-improvement construction project was undertaken in New Castle, Delaware during the Great Depression, enabled by federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred between December 1938 and April 1939. (PWA Docket No. DE X1045)

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Oacoma, South Dakota was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Work occurred between January and May 1936. (PWA Docket No. SD 7414)

"Olympia will improve their water distribution system with a WPA grant of $3,777 ..."

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Parker, South Dakota was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Work occurred between December 1938 and September 1939. (PWA Docket No. SD 1251)

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 reported that "Two Poulsbo projects, one for sidewalks and the other for water system improvement," received $5,919 in WPA assistance.

A waterworks-improvement project was undertaken in Prescott AZ during the Great Depression with the aid of Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $60,000 loan and $20,871 grant; the total cost of the project was $20,800. Work occurred between April and July 1936. It is very difficult to determine what and where the water system work was done, without a deep diver into the archives of the local public works department. The fire hydrants shown here are near Ken Lindley Park.  

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Ransomville, New York was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $23,287 grant; the total cost of the project was $52,804. Work occurred between January and August 1936. (PWA Docket No. NY 1175)

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Red Hook, New York was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $28,751 grant; the total cost of the project was $72,120. Work occurred between December 1935 and October 1936. (PWA Docket No. NY 1138)

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Rochester, New York was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $58,500 grant; the total cost of the project was $89,762. Work occurred between March and September 1936. (PWA Docket No. NY 1169)

Multiple waterworks improvement projects in Salina, Kansas were enabled by federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the Great Depression. In addition to laying water mains, a pumping station was constructed as part of these efforts, which began as early as 1933. (PWA Docket No. KS 2739, 2928)

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 states: "Don G. Abel, State Director of the Works Progress Administration today announced approval of a $148,458 project to improve the water distribution system in the Kenwood district, in Seattle. More than 200 men taken from relief rolls will have about eight months employment, Abel stated. The district affected lies between 15th avenue NE and Lake Washington nnd north of E 85th street to E 155th street. The project calls for excavating, laying pipes, installing fire hydrants and necessary tunneling and backfilling. No additional taxes or assessments will be placed on property holders as...

A sizable waterworks improvement project in Sedan, Kansas were undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the Great Depression. The PWA provided a loan of $69,600 and grant of $20,554 toward the project, whose final cost was $92,055. Work occurred between November 1934 and May 1935. (PWA Docket No. KS 3595)

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) worked to improve the water system in Sheridan, Wyoming. Cassity: "Sheridan installed a new water main on the north side of town, replacing 2,650 linear feet of 4 inch wood pipe with 6 inch cast iron pipe, and noted with satisfaction the result: “improving water system and providing employment for needy citizens.”" In the previous sentence Cassity identifies this as an accomplishment of a similar CWA project in Clearmont: "the laying of four hundred feet of water pipe on Big Horn Avenue improved the water pressure for the residences." It is unclear whether this refers to a...

A waterworks-improvement construction project in Smithfield, Rhode Island was undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $50,420 grant; the total cost of the project was $202,906. Work occurred between September 1936 and July 1937. (PWA Docket No. RI 7160)