Yonkers Water Works

In 1869, the city of Yonkers addressed the lack of a public water supply after a disastrous fire. Not only was there no water available that was safe to drink, but there were also no pressurized water systems that might be needed for fires.[1] In 1874, a small reservoir was installed that supplied a limited number of mains, with a more comprehensive system completed two years later.[2] To supply this new system, the Sprain and Grassy Sprain brooks were joined, and a gatehouse was built to control the flow through a 48 inch main to the city. This main was pressurized through the steam powered pumping station on Tuckahoe Road, and sent through the network of street mains.

In 1898, the city began digging “tube” wells under the Saw Mill River, A pumping station was built over the wellheads, as well as a second building in 1922. The pump station remained functional until a new water plant was constructed in 1969.[3] Today, the Grassy Sprain reservoir is no longer in service and the Tubewell Station is used for office space and storage, but the building's machinery is still maintained in case it is ever needed. The Tuckahoe Road station is still in use, but it pumps water purchased by New York City.

[1] Allison, Rev. Charles Elmer. “History of Yonkers of 1896,” n.d. http://www.waterworkshistory.us/NY/Yonkers/1896History.pdf.

[2] Williams, Grey. Kenneth T. Picturing Our Past: National Register sites in Westchester County. New York. 2003.

[3] National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form,” United States Department of Interior-National Parks Service, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75323316