Hormusji Ruttonjo Patel
Hormusji Ruttonjo Patel (c1870-1928)
1930 Obituary [1]
HORMUSJI RUTTONJI PATEL was superintendent at the Water Works at Agra, India, for thirty years, having received his early training with Messrs. Nawrosji Wadia and Sons, the oil mills of H.H. The Maharaja of Sapura, and at phosphate works and bone mills at Agra, until 1898.
He then took up a position with the Bombay Water Works. These were the first of their kind established in the United Provinces (then called the North-West Provinces) and Mr. Patel had to overcome many difficulties owing to the aversion of the people to the use of filtered water; they were led to believe by the water-bearers (bheesties), whose trade was affected, that it was contaminated by fat and other substances. By giving practical demonstrations he was able to convince them that this was untrue and to gain their confidence, so that during the first year of his service the number of house connexions rose from 450 to 1,000.
In 1898 the pumping capacity was 2,000,000 gallons a day, and at the time of his death it had risen to 6,000,000 gallons a day. The pumping at Agra Water Works was not stopped for a single day during his long service, neither was there a breakdown or a shortage of supply. Mr. Patel served for a long period with the Agra Volunteer Rifles and was also an active member of the Indian Defence Force during the War.
He died on 28th December 1928 at the age of 58.
He became an Associate Member of the Institution in 1910 and a Member in 1923.