The old water supply in Vilnius was gravity-fed, water flowed from a higher place to a lower one, which means that there was no need for any complicated devices. A simple plumbing system consisted of wooden pipes, a water source - a tank, and a tap or simply a vessel into which the water ran. Due to the simplicity of the old water supply system in Vilnius, the water supply technique did not change much.
1897th century As the population increased in the second half (in 154, Vilnius had 1878 inhabitants), Vilnius began to lack water. Between 1889 and 1893, many of the old wooden water pipes were replaced with metal ones. They were easier to exploit, and they maxed out the resources of Vingria, Missionary, and Dawngate. However, these measures did not produce the desired results. Until 40 business owners and wealthier residents had drilled about XNUMX artesian wells in various parts of the city, providing clean, good-quality water. However, the city did not have enough water.
One such well has survived to this day and is located on Savanorių Ave. at the beginning
This octagonal, ornamented turret is an above ground building of 1885-1886. part of a drilled artesian well. Its depth is 116,95 meters. This is the first such deep borehole in Vilnius, as they were usually up to 40 years old. Their water had excellent chemical and bacteriological properties.
Currently, the tower no longer fulfills its purpose, because after the Second World War, the above-ground facilities were dismantled, the mouth of the well was blocked, the floor of the structure was covered with concrete, but the underground well remained sealed.
XNUMXth century help this borehole was supposed to be used to extract drinking water, but it was not suitable due to excessive mineralization. However, it was used in an army bakery across the street.
The artesian well was drilled at the initiative of Antanas Giedraitis, a member of the Russian Geological Committee.
Author of the article: VilniusGo.lt
