Cost of Poughkeepsie Water Plant.
At Poughkeepsie, N. Y., the local press has raised the question as to the profitableness of the municipal water plant. The Enterprise, in a recent article, announced that the loss since the plant began operation amounted in round numbers to $1,00,000. This assertion was doubted by many, and the accuracy of the statement questioned. In support of its assertion the Enterprise made a search of the records of the water plant and interviewed several officials who are cognizant of present conditions, and from this data makes the following statement:
“Since the plant was placed in operation in 1873, the expenses, operation, addition and improvements, with interest on the bonds issued to provide for its construction has been as follows:
“The bonds issued because of the construction of the water plant in 1873, amounted to $550,000. The city indebtedness, because of the construction and maintenance of the water plant, at the present time is $565,000. In thirtyseven years of operation of the water plant, only $35,000 of indebtedness was paid off. The interest on the bonds was raised, not from the sale of water, as would have been the case under a business management, but by taxelevied on the real estate of the city.”
