THE WATER SUPPLY OE JERUSALEM* 

 By Major-Gen. Sir C. W. Wilson, R.E., K.C.M.G., F.R.S. 



ABOUT forty years ago tliere was a scarcity of Avater at 

 Jerusalem in consequence of a deficiency in the 

 i-ainfall of Southern Palestine. The sufferings of the poorer 

 classes, especially amongst the Jews, aroused the sympathy 

 of many charitably disposed persons in this country, and 

 there Avas a general feeling that some steps shoidd be taken 

 to improve the water supply and sanitary condition of the 

 city. Proposals for their improvement Avere put forward by 

 Dr. Whitty and Sir John McNeill ; but it was soon reahzed 

 that no scheme could be carried out until an accurate survey 

 of the city and its environs had been made. This Avas 

 carried out in 18lM-(35,by the Ordnance Survey Department, 

 at the cost of Lady, then Miss, Burdett-Coutts, and, on its 

 completion, the same generous lady offered to provide the 

 requisite funds for the improvement of the Avater supply. 

 The offer Avas rejected for various reasons, amongst Avhich 

 may be mentioned the desire of the GoA^ernor to obtain 

 possession of the money and cany out the work himself. 

 In the end, the Governor's suggestion that he might be 

 permitted to raise money locally and repair one of the 

 ancient aqueducts Avas approved. Money Avas raised, and 

 the Governor Avas soon able to report that, as in the days of 

 Solomon, Jerusalem was supplied with spring water. The 

 Avater ran for about tv/o months : then some evil-disposed 

 person broke the conduit ; and, as it was nobody's business to 

 repair it, matters reverted to their previous condition. 



In after years the city spread northward and Avestward 

 beyond its Avails, and the Avater supply question occasionally 

 received slight attention. TavIcc or thrice the old aqueduct 

 was repaired Avith the usual result; but it Avas not until 

 1888 that a serious effort Avas again made to improve the 

 Avater supply. This effort was due to Sir Edmund Lechmere, 



* Being tlie Address delivered at the Annual Meeting of the "Victoria 

 Institute, 26th May, 1902. 



