Filthy Decisions
"All rivers carry their secrets, but not every river keeps its secrets forever." -- Bernard Jan, January River
In 1912, a Virginia legislator is reported as saying "the rivers of Virginia are the God-given sewers of the state. " -- In River Time: The Way of the James , by Ann Woodlief
In the 1900s, it was commonplace to pipe sewage to the river. The James River was no exception. However, many people were dependent on the James River for their water source -- including drinking water.
Waste was dumped upstream and the river would carry it away. But you are always down river from somewhere else.
Let's look at these images and newspaper clips below.
A Look at Richmond's Water Quality
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Maymont on the James
James Dooley purchased a farm in Henrico County just west of Richmond's city limits. Years later Dooley recalled that he and Sallie (his wife) found the farm while out horseback riding and "were greatly struck with the beauty of the views of the River and beautiful oaks that were on the slope of a hill. Mrs. Dooley fell in love with the place and begged me to buy it and give it to her for a home."
The property encompassed large orchards, vineyards, gardens, a house, a number of farm buildings, a pure water spring, and next to the canal and railroad tracks, three quarries, one still working.
Maymont Mansion: Water Technology
Picture to right: The Dooley Branch is a natural spring. The Dooley's used a pump to get the water to their house where they had hot and cold running water.
During the 19th century, this area would have been considered the outskirts of Richmond, and wealthy people were moving to escape city smog and congestion. In 1906, James Dooley described this water source as "...one of the finest springs in the country".
Water Sources for the City of Richmond and Maymont
Explore the map below to learn more.
Map of Richmond along the James River with highlighted water sources
Water Treatment Surrounding Typhoid Cases
Richmond's drinking water came from wells and springs or directly from rivers and streams throughout the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. At first it was unfiltered and untreated.
Most drinking water was contaminated with bacteria. Dysentery and typhoid were common.
The newspapers of the day provide all manner of water treatments including this ad for Duffy Pure Malt Whiskey.
From this ad (on the left), what knowledge did people have about water borne diseases?
Times Dispatch June 26, 1913 -- chlorination is instituted for treating Richmond's water supply
In 1900, the occurrence of typhoid fever in the United States was approximately 100 cases per 100,000 people. By 1920, it had decreased to 33.8 cases per 100,000 people.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/history.html
Richmond Water Treatment Timeline
August 29, 1924: A complete filtration plant is finally built in Richmond, Virginia.
Albert Stein built the first effort to filter a drinking water supply in the U.S. in Richmond in 1832. However the filtration plant was not successful and it was abandoned in 1835. Other efforts were made over the years to treat the Richmond water supply:
“Although Richmond did nothing effective to improve its water supply until well into the twentieth century, settling basins were proposed from time to time. In 1860, the city council asked the superintendent, Davis, and its city engineer, W. Gill, to make plans for a new reservoir “with a proper filter.” They proposed filters cleaned by reverse flow. A new reservoir was put in use January I, 1876. Later, under Superintendent Charles E. Bolling, and the health officer, two narrow settling basins, about a mile long, with provision for drawing off the sediment alternately, were provided. On December 22, 1909, large coagulation basins were added. Chlorination with hypochlorite was begun June 26, 1913, on Levy’s recommendation, following a few cases of typhoid fever in Richmond. In 1914, apparatus for applying liquid chlorine was installed. But not until August 29, 1924, was a complete purification plant available, with coagulation basins, mechanical filters, aerators and a clear-water basin, for the whole of 30-mgd capacity.”
Reference: Baker, Moses N. 1981. The Quest for Pure Water: the History of Water Purification from the Earliest Records to the Twentieth Century. 2nd Edition. Vol. 1. Denver, Co.: American Water Works Association, 130-1.
Today
With modern upgrades, the treatment plant and distribution system of water mains, pumping stations and storage facilities provide water to approximately 62,000 customers in the city. The facility also provides water to the surrounding area through wholesale contracts with Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover counties. All total, this results in a facility that provides water for approximately 500,000 people.
Life Expectancy
Chart based on CRS report: Life Expectancy in the United States
In 1900, the average age of life expectancy was 47 years. By 1920, it was 54 years. The chart above breaks down the average into white male and female and black male and female. White men and women life expectancy rates is higher than black male and female averages.
The Maymont era coincided with the beginning of the Age of Jim Crow, one of the most violent and repressive periods in American race relations. The term Jim Crow, coined from an antebellum theater character, refers to the subordination and separation of African Americans through law, custom, and force.
Strict segregation compounded other hardships, such as low income, poor housing, limited education, and inadequate health care. In Richmond at the turn of the century, the average life expectancy for black residents was 37 years, compared to 52 years for whites.
James and Sallie Dooley employed mostly African Americans for domestic and estate work. A few employees lived on the grounds, but most "lived out". City directory and census records tell us that some lived in Jackson Ward.
A street view of Richmond's Jackson Ward, circa 1915. Jackson Davis Collection, Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library
African American families living in Jackson Ward would have been dependent on city water.
Picture to the right: domestic staff of an unknown household circa 1910, The Valentine
What factors could have contributed to the extended life of the Dooleys (and other upper class Richmonders)?
This virtual experience was prepared by Maymont using Federal funds under award NA18NMF4570275 from National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Marine Fisheries Service or the U. S. Department of Commerce.
