Seattle’s Thirst: A Winter Warning
A deep freeze has exposed the city's crumbling, inadequate water infrastructure.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The imperative necessity for an improved and increased water supply has made itself very apparent during the past week. Thousands of our people have been shut off from their usual supply by the freezing up of the little springs and water mains, and have been not only seriously inconvenienced thereby but endangered. In such a time all feel and acknowledge the necessity for more water, and if the feeling could only be a little prolonged more water would speedily be obtained. The danger from fire is greatly increased by the lack of a sufficient supply of water; industries are compelled to suspend, steamboats cannot be supplied, and families are put to much discomfort. Nothing, not excepting railroads, manufactures or wholesale stores, is so much needed in Seattle today as a more abundant and reliable supply of good water.
“Nothing, not excepting railroads, manufactures or wholesale stores, is so much needed in Seattle today as a more abundant and reliable supply of good water.”
Early Seattle’s battle with water supply and infrastructure serves as a reminder that the city's explosive growth has always outpaced its basic utilities. Even in 1883, the paper recognized that the city's fire safety and economic stability relied on a service that citizens often took for granted until it failed.
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