Date: November 11 1910

Newspaper published in: Graham

CITY WATER NOW CRYSTAL CLEAR
Mrs. Addie M. GRAHAM, widow of late E. S. GRAHAM, founder of our city has
presented to our town one of the most modern and efficient filtration
plants, whereby our city waterworks is made an institution of which we are
justly proud. The water is warranted ninety-eight percent pure and free from
all poisonous and disease germs.
The capacity of the filter is three hundred thousand gallons per day of 24
hours. The water is pumped from the stream by means of a large centrifugal
pump in to a forty thousand gallon concrete settling basin. From there it
overflows slowly into a concrete trough from which it is fed into a bed of
purist Jersey silicate sand, the Jersey sand being underbedded with a very
fine gravel, the gravel being arranged with the smaller particles on top and
the larger pieces at the bottom. Underneath the Gravel bed are arranged
dozens of small brass screens, through which the water passes to the clear
water tank, from which it is pumped to the water tower. (The filtering
process is described more fully here.)
Few cities can equal and none excel, our waterworks system. The housewives
of Graham will be the chief beneficiaries of the improvement, as their labor
will be lightened materially, and the necessity of cisterns averted.
Those from out of town who have heretofore experienced inconveni-ence, due
to their livestock not drinking while in Graham will be pleased to know
that the water is now so clear and free from oil foreign matter that any and
all stock will drink it.
The citizens of Graham should appreciate the generosity of Mrs. Graham and
we wish and bespeak for her that I peace and contentment of mind that is
born of a noble spirit and an unselfish and generous heart and is sustained
by such actions as are conducive to the welfare and happiness of others.