Albany Water uncovers two-century-old wood water main
ALBANY — City water department employees were about five feet beneath the asphalt on...
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Interesting discovery in Colchester Ct. The water department was repairing a main when they discovered a wooden water main , the main is thought to be a one of a kind in town due to the fact that a municipal water system was not installed until the mid 1930's using cast iron piping. It appears the main was a private main that was crossed connected to a 10" cast-iron main that received water from a near by pond supplying water for the Hayward Rubber companies manufacturing process, a massive rubber mill in town between 1840-1898. The two piece main demonstrates the water proof joining using cone shaped connections. The main also has a 1-1/2" service hole with a wooden plug. The main, though smaller is a good example of larger wooden water mains of many cities that fire departments would drill into and install a hydrant during a fire. After the fire the hole was usually plugged with a wooden peg. The term "Fire plug" originated from this practice. The pipe will be preserved and put on display.