In 1850, the Potomac River was identified as the District’s principal water source in a congressionally-funded engineering study to determine the most available mode of supplying water to the city. The majority of the work on the study was done under the leadership of Lieutenant Montgomery C. Meigs, who later served as Quartermaster General of the Army. Lt. Meigs is credited with planning and building the structures and facilities that became the Washington Aqueduct. Water first reached the District through the Water Aqueduct system on January 3, 1859.

As originally designed, the Washington Aqueduct system was believed to be sufficient for the future water needs of the city. However, by 1902, it was no longer adequate due to population growth and the need for a filtration system. Therefore, in 1905, a 75 million gallon per day (mgd) slow-sand plant was added at the McMillan Reservoir and the large Bryant Street high-lift pumping station was built.

Photos courtesy Matthew Kuhnert.