With some cooperation from Mother Nature, we had a terrific Labor Day parade this morning. I hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend with family and friends.
Water, Water Everywhere & Lots of It to Drink (With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
As you are no doubt aware, throughout this year we have been actively engaged in constructing another large up-ground reservoir (5.1 billion gallons) to the west of our existing Bresler Reservoir (4.9 billion gallons). The dry weather throughout the summer has allowed rapid progress. The aerial photo below shows the position of the new reservoir in relation to Bresler. Bresler, by the way, is roughly 1 mile square, while the new reservoir is T-shaped, with wetland preserves established in the cut-outs.
You can access additional photos at the following: http://www.cityhall.lima.oh.us/mayor/photos.asp.
A watery comparison of Lima and Ancient Rome
So how would Lima's water system stack up against that of the city of ancient Rome?
When I have a chance, particularly with groups of students or engineers, I enjoy challenging them with the following comparison: The metropolitan area of Lima served by our water system is roughly 10 square miles and has a population of 83,000 persons, while the city of Rome at the time of the Colosseum's construction in 80 A.D. was about 4 square miles (12 miles in circumference) with a population of 1 million. Lima's average daily consumption of water for our residential, commercial and industrial customers is roughly 20-25 million gallons per day. Lima has the Ottawa River coursing through its center with an average daily flow of 30 million gallons per day, accounting for both high storm levels and low dry weather periods, while Rome had the Tiber River, which extended for nearly 250 miles through the Italian peninsula.
With that information, can you estimate what the average daily consumption of water was by the city of ancient Rome?
Keep in mind that they did not have a refinery, which is our largest water customer.
Ancient Rome's average daily consumption of water was 350 million gallons! Their system brought water to the city from Apennine mountains via the Tiber and 11 aqueducts, and that water was used in nearly 900 public and private baths, 1400 fountains, and many other public facilities. In addition, all that water was in a constant flushing system and was taken away via massive underground sewers. Obviously the Romans possessed incredible civil engineering talents!
Just so you know, over the years that I have issued this challenge, none of the engineers nor the students to whom I have posed the question of comparing Lima to ancient Rome has ever come close to the correct answer! How close did you come?
A Unique Fisherman at Bresler Reservoir
In the wetlands that the city has preserved next to the new reservoir, it appears that we have a nest for bald eagles! In the pictures below you'll see the unique fishing habits of a juvenile bald eagle successfully getting his lunch.
Eagle Photo here and at the above link are compliments of Russell Reynolds.
Another wonderful visit by our Sister City delegation from Harima-cho
Once again, we have been privileged to host a large delegation from our Sister City in Harima-cho, Japan. 10 days ago, 15 students and 12 adults traveled to Lima and stayed with many local families in home-stays. Much thanks is deserved by Mary Buckley, the officers and members of the Lima Sister City Association, and the host families for all the preparatory work and the time spent so generously shepherding our guests around NW Ohio. Arigatou Gozaimasu!
Among the delegation was the superintendent of Harima-cho schools, who is seen below presenting me with a bamboo carving which literally translates as "One time, one meeting." Its more loose translation is "You may only have this one chance to meet. Enjoy this meeting and enjoy the life that you are allowed to have."
This carving now adorns the entrance to the Lima Municipal Center. Stop in an see it sometime, along with all of our collection of Japanese gifts from Harima-cho.
Take care.
Dave
David & Linda Berger
1211 Lakewood Avenue
Lima, Ohio 45805
419-228-7498
dberger@wcoil.com
