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Re: Photo: Loading Treated Water Pipe (1935)

Douglas Harding
 

I completely agree with the generally accepted practice that wood water pipes were common through WWII, particularly out west (here in the mid-west lead pipes were the standard). But creosote? I cannot imagine drinking water that came from creosoted pipes. Why you can even drink out of an ordinary garden hose these days, it must be a white hose designated for potable water. Could these creosoted wood pipes be destined for sewar or storm water drainage?

 

Doug Harding

www.iowacentralrr.org

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bruce Smith
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2020 10:28 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Photo: Loading Treated Water Pipe (1935)

 

Bill,

 

Wood pipes were clearly sold through WWII (I have the advertisements!) and those were not specified as replacement only. I'm sure that they were used wherever appropriate, for example for potable water. Here's an image of a load of Armco wood pipe in a NYC gondola. After all, steel was being rationed!

 

Regards,

Bruce Smith

Auburn, AL

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Parks via groups.io <BPARKS_43@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2020 10:07 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Photo: Loading Treated Water Pipe (1935)

 

I do consulting work with utility companies, and even though my main area is with meters, I have picked up a lot of useless information about the electric, gas and water industries.  My understanding is WW1 is roughly the end of wooden pipes (as far as new installations).  And truthfully, after around 1900, it was a rarity to install them as part of a new system.

That being said, the picture is from 1935, so somebody somewhere was still buying then.  What we don't know is what the pipes in the picture were used for.  I doubt they were going for a new installation (but I could be wrong).  My guess is they were going for repair/replacement of existing wooden pipes where the water company wasn't ready yet for a wholesale replacement of their system.  Truthfully, I was surprised to see a picture of them this late, and I doubt any wooden pipes were built after WW2.

--
Bill Parks
Cumming, GA
Modelling the Seaboard Airline in Central Florida

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