Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WATER DEPARTMENT
WATER DEPARTMENT. Early residents of the city depended on private wells cisterns or the MISSISSIPPI RIVER for their water. The first recorded effort to supply water came in 1838 when city officials ordered the digging of three wells for fire protection. In January, 1855, Henry L. STOUT and sixteen others, upon petition, were granted the exclusive privilege of supplying the city with water by water works. (1)
One of the things to which we wish to call the
attention of the city fathers is the fact that
most of the water which is supplied by the water
carriers of Dubuque to their customers is obtained
along the inner levee and at other most improper
places. (Express and Herald, May 31, 1856.) (2)
Prior to the CIVIL WAR, two barrels of water cost twenty cents delivered in town and thirty-five cents on the bluffs. A plan to pump river water into the city was stopped when its quality was unfavorably compared to the quality of local beer.
The quality of the water being delivered was brought into question in June 1864 when the following editorial appeared in the Dubuque Democratic Herald: (3)
Get Pure Water. The water haulers with walking
cisterns fill their cans with that nasty, dirty
water in the slough behind the JULIEN HOUSE.
When we want soup, we will order some. Give us
pure water or none. Go to the river, not the
slough.
In December 1863 readers of the Dubuque Democratic Herald found the newspaper asking owners of land to encourage "water diggings." In the past, it was claimed, land owners would not negotiate in good faith with those wishing to dig. The paper reminded readers that digging presented the opportunity of the city to have a good supply of water as well as lowering water levels enough to promote mining. (4) In 1864 Senator Knoll of Dubuque County introduced a bill stating that a miner who sank a shaft and installed machinery to drain water and subsequently drained water from neighboring mines was owed one-tenth of their production. (5)
In April 1864 a stock company called the Level and Lead Mining Company, was formed by Selah Chamberlain, Newton W. Kimball, Henry W.Clark, Randall J. Giggs, and J. W. Parker to blast a tunnel beneath a hill located between what is now Kaufmann Avenue and an area known as West Dubuque. The area in later years became BUNKER HILL GOLF COURSE. The tunnel was planned to lower the water level of the region enough to allow increased MINING for LEAD. (6) A second company interested in tunneling was also established at this time with such local backers as Peter KIENE, Julius K. GRAVES, William Boyd ALLISON, Joseph A. RHOMBERG, D. N. COOLEY, and Richard A. BABBAGE. This company, however, gave up the project and disbanded on October 29, 1870.
In constructing the tunnel, the Chamberlain-Kimball company tapped a vein of water. It began to flow but increased in volume to an estimated daily rate of 400,000 gallons. (7) In 1966 Jim Dockal was part of a survey crew that mapped the 1,000-foot long tunnel which averaged 4 feet in width. The water was knee to waist deep. The tunnel ended at a cement dam with an iron valve that still worked. (8)
Since the tunnel was approximately eighty feet above the level of downtown Dubuque, the idea developed of operating a water company. Two years passed, however, before the company finalized the idea of halting the waste of water by converting the torrent into a water works. (9)
On September 22, 1864 the following editorial appeared in the Dubuque Democratic Herald:
To the City Fathers---The lack of water in the city
has become a nuisance, and we respectfully represent
to your honorable body that it would be a public
benefit to establish, in suitable places, public
wells. The whole city was out yesterday looking for
water, and it is certainly rather extravagant to be
obliged to pay from five to ten cents per bucket for
this necessity of life (10)
On December 6, 1870 the city council gave the company the franchise to operate under the name of the Dubuque Water Company. The council retained the right to purchase the plant in twenty years at the expiration of the franchise. (11) In August, 1866 the company was authorized by the council to lay pipes in the city. (12) The company was required to provide water by gravity pressure until increased consumption required pumping equipment. (13)
In October, 1870, the water company was disbanded. Almost immediately afterward another water company was organized. For the new water company, John Thompson was president; the company had a capital of $300,000. (14)
On July 31, 1871 the first water pipe in Iowa was laid between Main and Iowa on Seventh. (15) The same year, cast-iron mains were laid in the north-south alleys by the waterworks company. A party was held on August 22, 1871, at which many of Dubuque's prominent businessmen journeyed through the tunnel inspecting the water supply. (16) The tunnel ran back under the future site of BUNKER HILL GOLF COURSE at a depth of one hundred eighty feet.
The new waterworks were fully completed in October, 1871, and tested; the capacity of the reservoir was 250,000 gallons. It was seen that a new reservoir would be necessary; one holding 2,000,000 gallons was planned. The new water reservoir, completed in the spring of 1873 was 230x56 feet; walls, 18 feet high; walls, 6 feet at the base and 3 feet at the top; and a capacity, 2,000,000 gallons. The cost was $22,000. (17)
In June 1873 residents were reminded that if they wanted to use a hose for watering their lawns or washing off their sidewalks, a permit was needed. Using a hose to sprinkle the streets was not allowed at any time. If these rules were violated, water was turned off to the house. (18)
Many people had their own wells which posed a potential health problem. On July 30, 1873 efforts to improve the health conditions in Dubuque included a survey of private wells. Wells found to be close to privy vaults and showing evidence of contamination were to be closed. People were then prevented from using these wells in the future. (19)
In 1874 the Dubuque Herald reminded manufacturers of the value of the water works to those with a private hydrant. Fires at PATCH & WAITE and J. L. DICKINSON & CO. were handled by quick thinking employees who attached a hose to a hydrant on the premises. (20) Hydrants were also the subject of interest for residents of several streets in Dubuque in June of 1874. The water department began excavating several street corners and installing hydrants from which water could be obtained for drinking and cooking. Renters were each provided with a key. (21)
Rules for the use of water appeared in the Dubuque Herald on May 31, 1874. Person connected to the water works were not allowed to supply other people with water and taps were allowed to be left open only during the time of actual water use. Hoses were only permitted to be used between 6:00-7:00 in the morning and evening. Hydrant keys had to be removed. Violations of these rules led to immediate discontinuation of water supplied to the property. (22) This occurred in June of 1874 when two watering troughs on 8th Street were turned off. The Dubuque Herald suggested everyone using them should contribute a dollar or two so that service could be returned. (23) The water works received high praise from the Dubuque Herald on July 8, 1874 for turning on the hydrants on "all the principal corners" and furnishing "bright new dippers" so that everyone could get a drink on "that red-hot day." (24)
The refusal of the water company to refill the troughs on 8th street between Locust and Bluff in August of 1874 caused a great deal of complaint. In an editorial in the Dubuque Herald, the writers explained that $300,000 had been spent by the water company in developing the city's system. The company had no problem with farmers and transient travelers watering their stock at the troughs. There was a problem, however, when citizens of Dubuque depending on the troughs for their water and three times a day bringing their horses from the stables to drink. (25)
While the newspaper understood the concern of the company, the writers went further. They stated the belief that the city should do more to make water available. More water stations should be supplied at city expense. (26)
In August 1875 the water company discontinued the practice of allowing street hydrants to be available for private use. Keys that had been passed out were collected as soon as hydrants were placed on school premises. (27)
In 1876 the committee on public grounds and buildings seemed to respond to the calls for more available water. The committee allowed the water department $80 annually for the two taps on the city market building. (28) Taste of the water was a concern in April. An article in the Dubuque Herald claimed that the water tasted
musty as though all the leaves of the forest had fell (sic)
into the reservoir and decayed there or that the water
flowed through decayed tree stumps before it reached the
consumer. (29)
The Herald, however, quickly took the side of the water department over the issue of rates. In April, 1876 the newspaper's editorial staff reported that Davenport paid its water company $19,000 annually while Dubuque paid $7,550. "When Dubuquers grumble at high rates, they should go to Davenport and consult customers in that city." (30) Installing the water pipe along Julien Avenue posed a great problem in 1876. To create a channel, blasting had to be done within twenty feet of many homes. (31)
The water company was given the right in March, 1887, to put in pumping works at the Lorimier House artesian well and from it to furnish "the hill" its supply of water. This well was 1,050 feet deep and flowed 180 gallons per minute. (32)
Demand for water in the hill districts, where gravity pressure failed to reach, expanded by 1880. A wooden water tank was constructed at Julien and Wilson avenues. When filled, this served the hill district and the homes below that level with adequate water. (33) In 1888 a new pumping station was constructed and an artesian well was drilled at the bottom of 8th Street. A 400,000 gallon standpipe was built on Delhi in 1889 to provide water to residents at a higher elevation in the city. The water supply for the standpipe came from the artesian well drilled at the site of the pumping station. (34)
In 1891 city officials insisted on direct water pressure and better service from the water company. (35) The primary reason given was that the extension of sanitary sewers throughout much of the main part of the city had increased the demand for water. (3)
In 1898 the original stockholders sold the water works to another group of investors. (37) Improvements were made throughout the system, but editorials in the newspaper called for municipal ownership. Since the city was already in debt over one million dollars, both men and women in the city were asked to vote whether this additional debt was acceptable. (38) Women voted 275-33 for the purchase while the men voted 3,133 to 459 in favor. This was the first election in Dubuque in which women were allowed to vote. (39) The issue passed.
The council originally proposed buying the water company for $150,000. This offer was rejected by the water company which placed the value of their property at $815,000 (40) Believing their offer was justified, the council threatened to enforce the transfer and called in experts to make estimates of the plant. One expert quoted a value of $664,076 while another estimated the value at $799,767.75. (41) The final price was fixed at $545,000. (42) With the purchase, the plant's name changed from the Dubuque Water Company to the Dubuque City Water Works. (43)
The question of the legality of the bond issue resulted in no bids. Finally local banks and individuals purchased the bonds, but were allowed a mortgage on the plant, a definite funding tax, and payment of 4.5 percent. (44) In 1901 the finance committee of the city council attempted to have bond holders surrender their bonds back to the city so that they could be refunded to eastern bond buyers at a greatly reduced rate of interest amounting to a savings to the city of $5,450 annually. The GERMAN TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK agreed to surrender their bonds if others followed their example. Most others said they had resold the bonds and no longer had control of them. The plan of the finance committee failed. (45)
In 1905 an investigation of the water works management revealed that the books were in poor condition. (46) There was also a large debt approaching $49,000 for the purchase of all types of supplies. Charges were made against the trustees who resigned; the deficit was added to the city's regular bonded debt. This incident has been considered one of Dubuque's worst incidents of official misconduct. (47)
Starting in 1905, Dubuque began depending less on the springs located above LANGWORTHY HOLLOW. Wells were dug, new equipment was installed, and users were forced to pay according to metered rates. (48) Previously, flat rates had been charged leading some people and businesses to be wasteful in their use of water. (49) The EAGLE POINT water station became the focus of the water delivery system. There were two wells--1,308 feet and 1,310. (50)
In 1907 Arthur McArthur, the superintendent of the water work, confessed to embezzling water works funds. He was sentenced to four years in the penitentiary. (51)
In 1910 health concerns and increasing revenues for the water plant merged. In February 1910 the Telegraph Herald reported that there was not a single vacant lot between the railroad tracks and Bluff Street or between 5th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Within that area, however, were dozens of "shacks" owned by others who received rent but made no attempt to improve their properties. The paper suggested that if the owners were forced to consider sewer connections and the health of their tenants the conditions would improve. The paper continued that if the City wanted to increase the revenue of the water plant without the construction of extensive mains, it would compel the property owners to connect with sanitary sewers where water was available. (52)
As early as 1907 a concern arose about the potential of a water shortage. Before the end of the year, the pamphlet reported, twelve new "driving wells" were added which together with the sixteen existing wells and two artesian wells solved the problem. Recent improvements included the installation of a new engine and pump with a capacity of four million gallons of water daily. There were also improvements to the steam plant which together totaled $20,000. (53)
In 1910 the water works trustees published "The Water Works Today," a pamphlet informing the public about the improvements made to the plant.
In 1914 a 7.12 million gallon water reservoir was established in the Fenelon Place or Prospect Hill area as a major part of the city's attempt to create an effective municipal water system. The reservoir failed to meet expectations. Because of algae infestations, the reservoir had to be drained bi-monthly and therefore was never completely filled. The reservoir was covered in 1922. (54)
Dubuque joined Muscatine as Iowa's only two Mississippi River cities with a population over ten thousand to use well rather than river water. Water was collected from four shallow wells located between the Marina and the Mississippi. In 1939 the deepest well ever dug in Dubuque was being drilled at Shiras and Lincoln Avenues. At the time, the city's deepest well was supplying approximately two million gallons per day. (55) The new well, at a depth over 1,500 feet, was expected to produce between 3-3.5 million gallons daily. (56)
With the beginning of the city-manager form of government, a total of $650,000 was spent to improve water service. Along with the reorganization of the fire department, the improved water department reduced the city's insurance rates by $675,000 annually. The indebtedness of the water department was almost entirely eliminated by 1933 due to its own profits. (57)
The waterworks plant on West Third was in place by 1937. When completed 10 and 12 inch pipes were West 3rd, Burch, West 5th, and Hill streets to connect with a new water tower at College and West 3rd. Hopes were raised that guaranteed water pressure would lower resident's fire protection insurance premiums by guaranteeing water pressure to all neighborhoods. (58)
The City of Dubuque in 1938 was one of only 140 Iowa municipalities to completely meet drinking water standards established by the Iowa Department of Health. This allowed the city to post highway signs stating,"Public Water Supply Approved by the Iowa Department of Health." In that year there were 554 Iowa municipalities with municipal water supplies. Of this number 140 were completely approved and 41 would be when forms were signed. (59)
Use of spring water was discontinued completely in 1950 when the purity of the water began to decline. Reservoirs off Kaufmann Avenue were maintained for emergency use only.
In late 1951 Dubuque began fluoridation of it drinking water. The initial cost was about ten cents per person. This was expected to drop to around seven cents by 1953. (60) The fluoridation system was installed at a cost of about $4,000 in response to dental societies claiming tooth decay could be reduced as much as 65% in children under eight years of age. (61)
In 1954 pure water in large amounts was located from a test site on CITY ISLAND. The discovery came as good news to city officials who admitted that last July if one of the large pumps had failed, the citizens of Dubuque would have had to be asked to use less water. (62) The total cost of the water program was estimated to be about $1,200,000. (63) The new water supply was so pure that it could serve industrial purposes directly from the ground. (64) General use of the water would include being piped to the Eagle Point station, given the usual purification plus iron removal, and water softening if that process was approved. Water from the present wells was pumped 218 feet under high pressure while the new wells would yield water from 20 to 30 feet below the surface saving a great amount of power. Some of the water in the new source was ground water--from rain or the river--but it took from six weeks to three months to filter down. (65)
In 1956 industry accounted for 40% of the water being used in Dubuque. Water played such an important role in business and industry that many well-known companies in Dubuque maintained their own wells in addition to being connected to city water. Among those having private wells were the HOTEL JULIEN, ADAMS COMPANY (THE), A.Y.MCDONALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, FARLEY AND LOETSCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LORENZ LAUNDRY, DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY, CARR, ADAMS AND COLLIER COMPANY, KLAUER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, MEADOW GOLD DAIRY, and BARRETT DIVISION ALLIED CHEMICAL CORP. (66)
Construction projects in 1963 included building a 2.5 million gallon standpipe near Asbury and Carter, a 1.5 million gallon tank at Gay and Muscatine, and a booster station at the same site. The construction would provide more water volume in the hill area and north of 24th St. Better fire protection was also declared to be a benefit.
Beginning in 1956 the water treatment plant used lime to softened the city's water. In 1972 the city council accepted an Iowa Water Pollution Control Commission consent order that forced the city by 1976 to stop dumping an estimated 9 tons of lime sludge daily from the plant into the Mississippi River. The estimated cost of installing new equipment to handle the problem was $800,000. (67)
Water from the pumping station was sent into storage tanks through more than 233 miles of mains as of January 1990. A "high" system supplied water to the hill areas, while a "low" system served downtown. In the 1950s an "intermediate" system was built to supply water to Eagle Point and the Windsor Avenue areas. The largest reservoir in Dubuque, with a capacity of over seven million gallons of water, is located at West Third and Birch. Dubuque's wells have been estimated to have the capacity of supplying water to a population of over one million people.
During fiscal year 1989 the average daily water demand in Dubuque was 7.9 million gallons or approximately 132 gallons per person per day. During the drought of July 1989, demand averaged 11.8 million gallons for a six-day period. The highest monthly average 10.05 million gallons and the maximum daily demand both occurred in June 1958. Residential use accounted, during 1989, for 54 percent of the water pumped in Dubuque. Industrial use equaled 38 percent.
The City of Dubuque in 1997 was judged to have the best tasting water in the United States in the municipal category. In the annual "Toast of the Tap: International Water Tasting and Competition" hosted by Berkley Springs, West Virginia, Dubuque ranked first of 82 entries from twenty-three states and four countries. Judges included travel and food writers. (68)
The fourth water tower in the city was announced in 2003. Located near the intersection of Kennedy Road and the Northwest Arterial, the Fourth Zone Water Tower had a concrete base supporting a steel tower capable of holding 1.25 million gallons of water. The innovative design was new in Iowa and promised to save the city thousands of dollars in maintenance. (69)
On September 17, 2009 International Business Machines (IBM) and the City of Dubuque, Iowa announced a partnership aimed at making the city one of the first "smarter" sustainable cities in the United States. (70) The first phase of the smart city partnership included a project to increase the city's and its citizens' understanding of water management. To accomplish this, IBM developed a "Platform for Real-time Integrated Sustainability Monitoring" to provide the city with an integrated view of its energy management, including energy consumed by the electric grid, water system, and general city services.
The city in 2014 was implementing a city-wide water meter replacement project using the A.Y.MCDONALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY Unmeasured Flow Reducer (UFR). This followed a test of the device in 250-1,000 homes and businesses. (71) Participants in the study were able to go online to observe their daily water usage. (72). The UFR allowed consumers to identify waste and consider corrective measures. As the city improved its water management system, IBM's technology was used to collect water consumption data and give city staff real-time information into the overall city water consumption. As part of the water meter replacement project, the City of Dubuque created a rebate program for costs associated with repairing leaks identified by the new metering system. The City budgeted $10,000 annually for matching funds to fix leaks and reduce costs for water customers. (73)
In 2015 the Eagle Point Water Plant was supplied by five shallow and four deep well and did not use water from the Mississippi River. The plant daily produced an average of seven million gallons of treated water. The plant had a capacity of up to eighteen million gallons daily. (74) The distribution system for the water included 321 miles of water mains; 5,770 control valves; 2,876 fire hydrants and 23,500 service connections. (75)
In May, the city council approved a $9.4 million contract to extend sewer, fiber optic and water lines to the Dubuque Regional Airport. This opened up thousands of acres for development along U. S. 151/61 and U. S. 52. (76) Looking to expand its tax base and provide opportunities for future development, the Dubuque City Council chose in November 2015 to purchase for $1.3 million Twin Ridge Water Inc. The private business supplies sewer and water services to an estimated one hundred properties in the Twin Ridge subdivision in the Key West area. The purchase would not require additional borrowing, but would force city officials to delay planned sanitary sewer improvements. (77)
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Source:
1. Oldt, Franklin T., History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1880. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-12-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml
2. Ibid. p. 13
3. "Get Pure Water," Dubuque Democratic Herald, June 23, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640623&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
4. "An Old Project Revived--Draining the Mines and Supplying the City With Water," Dubuque Democratic Herald, December 22, 1863. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18631222&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
5. "Important to Miners," Dubuque Democratic Herald, March 3, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640303&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
6. Rumsey, Charles. "Early Waterworks Grew from Miners' Failures," Telegraph Herald, July 31, 1955, p. 32
7. "Progress of Water Works in Dubuque Discussed at Meeting," Telegraph Herald, Dec. 6, 1925, p.1 Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gCRFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ULsMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5368,6895609&dq=water+department+dubuque&hl=en
8. Jim Dockal, e-mail on Facebook in response to reading the entry, March 18, 2013
9. "Dubuque Plant Called One of Finest West of the Mississippi," Telegraph Herald, Dec. 6, 1925, p. 17. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gCRFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ULsMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5368,6895609&dq=water+department+dubuque&hl=en
10. "To the City Fathers," Dubuque Democratic Herald, September 22, 1864, p 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640922&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
11. Ibid.
12. Oldt., p. 17
13. "Dubuque Plant Called One of the Finest..."
14. Ibid.
15. Oldt., p. 19
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. "Waterworks Notice," Dubuque Herald, June 14, 1873, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18730614&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
19. "Board of Health," Dubuque Herald, July 30, 1873, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18730730&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
20. "The Great Value of Our Waterworks," Dubuque Herald, April 24, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740424&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
21. "Little Crusaders," Dubuque Herald, June 11, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740611&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
22. "Water Works Notice," Dubuque Herald, May 31, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740531&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
23. "No More Water," Dubuque Herald, June 6, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740606&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
24. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, July 8, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740708&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
25. "A Watery Subject," Dubuque Herald, August 29, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740829&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
26. Ibid.
27. "Board of Education," Dubuque Herald, August 6, 1875, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18750806&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
28. "Municipal," Dubuque Herald, April 7, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760407&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
29. "Would Like to Know," Dubuque Herald, April 13, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760413&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
30. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, April 29, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760429&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
31. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, September 1, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760901&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
32. "Dubuque Plant Called One of the Finest..."
33. Ibid.
34. Oldt. p. 21
35. "Dubuque Plant Called One of the Finest..."
36. Ibid.
37. Ibid.
38. Oldt.p. 21
39. Oldt, p. 22
40. "History of Dubuque and Dubuque County," Telegraph Herald, Jan. 15. 1939, p. 5. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dtdBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5766,3140247&dq=dubuque+electric+company&hl=en
41. "The Water Company Has Changed Hands," Nov. 24, 1898, p. 10. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NzlBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0qgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1107,5454371&dq=dubuque+water+company&hl=en
42. Oldt. p. 22
43. "Now It Is Up to the People," Dubuque Daily Herald, June 30, 1900, p. 7. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TxhBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cKgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3529,7930140&dq=dubuque+water+company&hl=en
44. "Dubuque Plant Called One of the Finest..."
45. "Comes to Naught," Dubuque Daily Telegraph, March 1, 1901
46. Oldt., p. 22
47. Ibid.
48. Ibid.
49. Ibid.
50. "History of Dubuque and Dubuque County,"
51. Oldt, p. 22
52. "Improvement Need in Heart of City," Telegraph Herald, February 6, 1910, p. 4
53. "Some Facts on the Water Works," Telegraph Herald, February 7, 1910, p. 6
54. Phase V Architectural/Historical Survey/Evaluation Final Report. Online: http://weblink.cityofdubuque.org/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=44950&page=1&searchid=9d0a32ca-655e-4868-b2d1-db38eb62e79b, p. 333
55. Ibid., p. 23
56. "Water Gushes From New Well, Telegraph Herald, April 26, 1939. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QulBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4562,1412648&dq=water+department+dubuque&hl=en
57. "History of Dubuque and Dubuque County," Telegraph Herald, January 15, 1939, p. 5. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dtdBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5766,3140247&dq=dubuque+electric+company&hl=en
58. Phase V Architectural/Historical Survey/Evaluation Final Report. Online: http://weblink.cityofdubuque.org/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=44950&page=1&searchid=9d0a32ca-655e-4868-b2d1-db38eb62e79b, p. 30
59. Ibid.
60. "Dubuque Among 181 Cities with Okeyhed (sic) Water Supply," Telegraph Herald, June 13, 1938, p. 3. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z_hBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SqoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2871,5128769&dq=water+department+dubuque&hl=en
61. "Dubuque Water Supply Fluoridated," Telegraph Herald, May 29, 1953, p. 11. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TqxFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FL0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=7249,6782806&dq=water+department+dubuque&hl=en
62. Borbeau, Bub. "Generally Taken for Granted, Water is Problem to Industry," Telegraph Herald, Mar. 11, 1956, p. 15. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uz9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KNMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6685,1211192&dq=farley+and+loetscher+manufacturing+company+dubuque&hl=en
63. Much Water Found at New Source," Telegraph Herald, October 3, 1954, Dubuque News, p. 1
64. Ibid.
65. Ibid.
66. "Dubuque Water Supply Fluoridated,"
67. Gwiasda, Susan B. "City Officials Tickled Over Tap-Water Title," Telegraph Herald, Feb. 25, 1997, p. 1. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ssBFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wr0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2497,4390792&dq=water+department+dubuque&hl=en
68. "Dubuque Will Unveil New Water Tower," Telegraph Herald, Nov. 30, 2003, p. 7. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RMZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F74MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6633,7761759&dq=water+department+dubuque&hl=en
69. "IBM and Dubuque, Iowa Partner on Smarter City Initiative," Reuters, September 17, 2009. Online: http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/09/17/idUS35396+17-Sep-2009+PRN20090917
70. Ibid.
71. Ibid.
72. Ibid.
73. Ibid.
74. "Drinking Water," City Focus. City of Dubuque Publication. Fall 2014, p. 5
75. Ibid.
76. Barton, Thomas J. "Dubuque Considers $1.3 Million Utility Buy," Telegraph Herald, November 1, 2015, p. 1
77. Ibid.
