ABSTRACT
An unabridged English translation (Bobeck, 2004) of Darcy’s 1856 book, now a rare book available in few libraries, makes it possible for hydrogeologists to experience Henry Darcy’s activities and insights first-hand. Darcy’s book describes the construction of Dijon’s water supply system in 1840 and the sand experiments that led him to formulate Darcy’s Law, among numerous other topics.
As an engineer in the Corps of Bridges and Roads, Darcy fulfilled his life’s dream of providing abundant clean water for his native city of Dijon. The book describes his research into Dijon’s 400-year history of surface and ground water projects and his planning and execution of all aspects of Dijon’s water supply system. Darcy calculated the population’s daily water needs and selected a spring to supply the necessary amount of water to Dijon via a 12-km aqueduct. He built two reservoirs, 13 km of pipes, and 120 street fountains in the city. The fountains supplied free water for domestic purposes, street flushing, and fire fighting.
