Seattle’s Million-Dollar Water Gamble
Facing a growing population and urgent infrastructure needs, city leaders propose a massive bond measure to build a municipal water system, aiming to secure control over the city's future.
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.
Notice is hereby given to all qualified voters of the city of Seattle, at the general election of said city to be held on the 11th day of July, 1890, that there will be submitted to the qualified voters of said city the question whether or not the city of Seattle shall erect water works and authorize the expenditure of a sum not to exceed one million dollars for such purpose. The city charter provides that the city of Seattle has power to construct and maintain water works to furnish the city with a sufficient supply of water. The proposed water works will consist of a gravity pipe line and a suitable distribution reservoir and all necessary distribution mains. The estimated cost of said water works is one million dollars. The polls will be opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. Every voter who shall vote for erecting the above described water works and authorizing the expenditure of a sum not to exceed one million dollars for such purpose will use a ballot containing the words: 'For Water Works, Yes.' Every voter who shall vote against said water works will use a ballot containing the words: 'For Water Works, No.'
“The city of Seattle has power to construct and maintain water works to furnish the city with a sufficient supply of water.”
This 1890 ballot measure captures the foundational moment Seattle chose municipal ownership over private utility exploitation. Much like today’s heated debates over public power and municipal infrastructure, this vote defined the city's ability to manage its own growth and resources for the next century.
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