James Hillhouse Fuertes

James Hillhouse Fuertes (August 10, 1863 - January 30, 1932) was an American civil and sanitary engineer. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he was involved as a consulting engineer for water works projects in the United States, including those in New York City, Baltimore, and Pennsylvania cities Harrisburg and Lebanon. He also worked on projects in Winnipeg, Canada, and Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Early life James Hillhouse Fuertes was born on August 10, 1863, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Mary Stone (née Perry) and Estevan Antonio Fuertes. His father was head of the civil engineering department of Cornell University. His brother was naturalist and painter Louis Agassiz Fuertes.

Career Fuertes worked as a city engineer in Wichita, Kansas. He later worked with railroads. In September 1890, he began work at York, Wood & Loonum, a firm building a line for a railroad south of Camden, Arkansas. He also did contract work for about two years. In 1899, he worked with Rudolph Hering to examine the plans for flood abatement in south Buffalo, New York. He designed and constructed the sanitary system of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. and the water supply system of São Paulo. Around 1902, Fuertes worked as a consulting engineer and helped develop the municipal water system of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and replace its old 12-inch main line with a 20-inch main line.

In 1906, Fuertes was appointed by Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. as a member of the Metropolitan Sewerage Commission of New York City. He was re-appointed twice. He also designed and constructed the purification works of Denver. Their recommendations led to the November 1920 Gunpowder River Plan, which called for a 240-foot dam and a 22.5 billion gallon Loch Raven Reservoir. Fuertes also supported a water works project in Cumberland, Maryland. His wife died in 1931. He had three stepchildren.

Fuertes had a cerebral hemorrhage and died on January 30, 1932, aged 68, at his home in Brooklyn.