New Fount Supplies Water To Three Spigots
Filling bottles and jugs from the reportedly healing water at Rome City, just got immensely easier. Larry Young, property manager at the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center had always worried that someone would be injured as they filled their water containers on the side of the hill. There had to be a better way.
The spring water was used in the Kneipp Water Cure practiced at the Sanitarium for over 80 years. Over the years there have been a number of cures associated with this water. Some, easily explained, others seem to be of a more miraculous nature. While many pilgrims tell us of cure and improvement to sickness and disease, it seems that a pattern of God’s grace is continuing which uses this water as an instrument of His Divine Providence and Mercy.
The actual source of the water is from an artesian flowing spring which has been running for at least 125 years. It flows about 60 gallons a minute and was the sole source of water when the Kneipp Springs Sanitarium opened in 1895. This type of spring is an unusual geological phenomenon.
When the sanitarium was first built the water came right from the ground without pump or mechanical assistance, as it still does today. But during the expansion of the facility the Precious Blood Sisters decided to build a parking lot on the south side of the building, right on top of the spring! To preserve the spring, they had a tunnel constructed from the basement to the spring. This tunnel protects and preserves this great natural gift. The tunnel is emptied by a 4-inch steel pipe which goes to the side of the hill where the waterfall originates. That is where pilgrims previously collected their water.
Earlier this month an above ground fount was constructed which is horizontally about 10 feet from the spring and about 10 feet above its source. While the water continues to flow naturally, we did install a small electric pump to lift the water to the spigots. The excess water then drains from the fount back to the tunnel and over the side of the hill. The fount will fill 3 one-gallon bottles in about 30 seconds.
If you intend to drink water from the spring, we recommend that you only take water from the fount. The 4-inch steel pipe is more than 100 years old and not in good shape and since the excess water from the fount drains back into the tunnel we cannot assure the quality of the water over the side of the hill. Besides, its so much safer and easier to get it from the fount.
The water is FREE. We do ask that you say a little prayer for the pilgrims and our apostolate.
Very nice! Well done!
Is it still open for tours?
Yes! Please see the Visit, Tours, Hours page for details.
Can we come anytime and get water?
The water founts from the spring flow 24x7x365. Please come during daylight hours if possible.