A Reinforced Concrete Stand-Pipe

The reinforced concrete stand-pipe built at Westerly, R. I., during the summer of 1910 for the town water-works, is of interest because of some methods of construction which were used for the first time, and also because, in appearance and water-tightness, it is one of the most successful ever built. Westerly is a town of about 9 000 inhabitants. Its water supply is derived from driven wells and distributed by pumping. Prior to 1911 the only reserve supply was contained in a steel stand-pipe having a capacity of 370 000 gal. Additional reserve was thought advisable, and, as the old stand-pipe needed a thorough overhauling, it was decided to build a new one on Quarry Hill, very near the old one. Concrete was chosen as the material, in preference to steel, after the Water Commissioners had examined other concrete stand-pipes in New England.