Call the Plumber - QUICK!

Buffalo Evening News    January 3, 1940

MAIN BREAK CUTS OFF CITY WATER

GIANT PUMPS DOWN AT WARD STATION

---------

Backing water from trio of big storage tanks flooding pumping center

-------------

FIREMEN AID REPAIRS

Crews work feverishly to cut in Massachusetts Station as pressure ebbs fast

   A break in a 48 inch Main at the Ward Pumping Station, Porter Ave, imperiled Buffalo's entire water supply early today.  With the stations eight pumps shut down, water was backing into the station from the city's three big storage tanks in Kensington Ave, Rees St. and Downing St. Pressure in all mains was rapidly diminishing and water department officials and firemen were working feverishly to shut off valves and put the old Massachusetts Street steam station into operation.

Station Floor Flooded       

The station floor filled with water up to the balcony!

   The break occurred shortly after 1 o'clock(a.m.). Water spouted ceiling high from the big main and two hours later more than twelve feet of water filled the Ward Station floor.  It was estimated that the Massachusetts Station could not be cut in until about 4 a.m.  Meanwhile with pressure ebbing fast, Deputy Commissioner Robert J Zahm ordered the Fireboat Grattan (now the Cotter) put into working order to serve as a pumper should fire breakout in the downtown section.

    The break was in the main pipe at the city's principle pumping station.  The only cut off valve was under several feet of water. Fire commissioner William R. Castimore, water crews, electric crews and other specialists, flocked to the station.  Howard W. Fitzgerald, chief engineer of the water division, assigned experts to the intricate task of shutting off valves outside the station so the Massachusetts Station could restore pressure and save the city from going completely dry.

Electric pumps were all under water

Hoping Against Fire

   Fire officials said that save for the fire boat Grattan, no pressure would be available in hydrants throughout the city until the auxiliary station begins to function. "We are praying against the outbreak of fire" fire men said.  It was explained that the necessary valve shutting would require two hours, because some of them require more than a thousand turns to close.

Editors Note:  To find out the "rest of the story", I'll be doing a public tour of the pumping station on September 18, 2011.  For details see:    Holly Steam Pumps at the Col. Ward