Where does Six Mile Water Works get its name?

Rensselaer Lake, also known as Six Mile Water Works, is located on Fuller Road, six miles from downtown Albany. That’s as close as we can come to learning the source of its name.

Six Mile Water Works is under the jurisdiction of the Water Department and is being studied as a potential emergency water supply for the City. Six Mile Water Works was built by the City of Albany in 1851 for use as the City’s first public water supply reservoir. A dam was built where three streams united, covering 40 acres of Pine Barrens. The 200 million gallon reservoir supplied the City with water from 1851 until the mid-1920s. Water was conveyed via a five-foot underground brick conduit to the City’s Bleecker Reservoir, located where Bleecker Stadium now stands.

Remnants of the egg-shaped, four-mile long conduit remain intact today in various sections along its path. So, the next time you are driving along Manning Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Central Avenue, give a thought to the large conduit six feet below, which once provided this City with drinking water.

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1. Who owns the water service leading to my house?
2. Will the City repair the portion of the water service I am responsible for?
3. Who repairs the sidewalks and driveways damaged during a water main break?
4. My lawn was damaged during a water main break. Will you replace it?
5. My water bill is too high. What should I do?
6. What is the oldest water main in the City?
7. Why are there more water main breaks in the cold weather?
8. Why must we pay sewer charges as well as water charges?
9. Why do owners of vacant property still have to pay a water and sewer fee?
10. Can the public visit any of the Water Department facilities or reservoirs?
11. Many Capital District communities have water restrictions. How about Albany?
12. I have heard Albany water was judged the best in the State. Is that true?
13. Is it true that the Albany Water Department is checking every water main in the City?
14. Is Albany water the lowest priced water in the Capital District?
15. What effect did the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America have on the Albany Water Department?
16. Where does Six Mile Water Works get its name?