Hoses were run from fire trucks Dec. 4, 1950, by the St. Joseph River up to the Water Filtration Plant as fire crews supplied emergency water reserves after debris clogged the emergency intake being used while the main raw water line was being repaired. File photos Dec. 4, 1950: Hoses were run from fire trucks by the St. Joseph River up to the Water Filtration Plant as fire crews supplied emergency water reserves. Dec. 4, 1950: Hoses were run from firetrucks by the St. Joseph River up to the Water Filtration Plant as fire crews supplied emergency water reserves. Tom Portman sits at his self-service laundry on Fairfield Avenue with washing machines that were rendered unusable during the water emergency.