WATER WORKS NEWS OF THE WEEK

The new city council of Des Moines, Iowa, has declared itself in favor of a municipal water system.

The Myerstown Water Company of Myerstown. Pa., has increased its capital stock from $20,000 to $200,000.

A complete system of waterworks is being installed in the large suburban section of South Knoxville, Tenn.

Governor Shafroth has appointed Frank W. Harper, of Gunnison, state water commissioner for the fifty-ninth district of Colorado. He will serve for two years.

Extension work on the sewerage and water system of Ely, New, has been completed, and the enlarged plant is now adequate to supply the entire city’s needs.

Orville, Cal., has installed a pump of 6,000 gallons capacity a minute. It is driven by a 75-horse-power motor. L. N. Hearns has been appointed engineer in charge.

Bay City, Mich., has agreed to furnish Essexville, an outlying suburb, with water as soon as the system can be enlarged and the necessary pipe connections made.

Gadsden, Ala., has appropriated $60,000 for constructing a settling basin, a well, modern pumps and other additions to its waterworks system.

Glasgow, Mont., is drawing water from its new supply system, the contractor having completed the plant and turned it over, to the city. The mains and reservoirs tested out satisfactorily.

At a meeting of the board of trustees of Medina. N. Y., it was decided to retain as an auxiliary water supply that portion of the old Knowlesviile plant situated north of the town.

Bids have been asked by the water board of Kingston, N_ Y., for the construction of a new reservoir and other needed water work improvements.

Deputy Commissioner Cozier of the Department of Water, has ordered plans prepared for the construction of city water mains in the Leffert’s Park section, Brooklyn, N. Y., the work to be completed before September.

The lone Light and Power Company’s dam across Cedar creek, at lone, the new town on the line of the I. & W. N. railroad, 116 miles north of Spokane, Wash., was swept away by a flood. The dam cost $6,000.

A public test of the water mains of Crowley, La., demonstrated that the pressure is satisfactory and that there is a sufficient supply available for fire purposes to insure ample protection to the town.

The water famine in the vicinity of Hartford City. Ind., is causing considerable congestion of traffic along the P. R. R. The company is considering an independent supply, which will cause a loss of $3,000 to Hartford.

Residents of Wichita, Kan., are looking to a new underground water supply. It is claimed that water of a better quality than is now being supplied to the city can be had at a depth of only fifty feet.

The plant of the Green Castle, Pa., Water Co. became the property of the town on April 1; $5,000 of the purchasing price has already been paid and the remaining $25,000 will be adjusted as soon as a bond issue has been arranged.

At a newly-discovered artesian well near Orange. Tex., the flow was measured and found to be 2,000 gallons a minute, or 2,880,000 gallons per day, fully adequate to supply the wants of the city.

By a bill now before the state legislature of Ohio, introduced by Senator Cetone, the executive of any municipality is empowered to appoint a special waterworks commission, to meet emergencies.

The wall of the sedimentation basin in the city water plant of Knoxville, Tenn., gave way lately and about 150,000 gallons of water escaped. The wall was seventy-two feet long and about twelve feet high.

When Pontiac, Mich., fixed the rate for tapping the city’s water mains at $8, iron pipe was used for the service connection and labor was cheaper. Now lead pipe is used and labor is higher: a connection costs the city $12 or more, and the city hoard of works will take steps to raise the rate.

The Board of Water Supply of Brooklyn. N. Y., accepted the resignation of Deputy Chief

Engineer Charles L. Harrison, and appointed Merritt M. Smith to fill the vacancy. Mr. Smith will receive a yearly salary of $10,000, $2,000 less than Harrison received.

The superintendent of the Thorbecke Springs water service, from which source the city of Prescott, Ariz., is supplied, says that a greater volume of water is flowing than ever before, and that indications for an abundant supply throughout the summer are favorable.

Harrisburg, Pa., may find itself constrained to lay duplicate mains in its thoroughfares and enter into competition with the several private corporations supplying it with water, in the event of pending efforts to purchase their plants proving unsuccessful.

Frank C. Turrente has commenced suit against the Little Falls Water Company, of Paterson, N. J.. to recover damages for $15,000 for injuries received while employed by Joe Puglia, contractor. to connect piping at Little Falls, October 5, 1905.

At a cost of $60,000. Forest Grove, Ore., is installing a new water supply system. The water is brought, by gravity, from the mountains in the Clearwater district into a reservoir on a nearby elevation, whence it is distributed throughout the city, it is spring water of exceptional purity.

A bill has passed the House in Trenton, permitting the construction of a high-pressure salt water system for Atlantic City similar to those now used by New York and Philadelphia. The city now pays $800,000 annually for insurance policies. The new system, soon to be installed, will reduce this by $200,000.

Provision for a water commission to manage the new waterworks owned by Toppenish, Wash., has been made by the city council. An ordinance has been passed providing the regulations for the water supply, fixing prices and providing penalties, the ordinance placing control in a committee of three of the council.

The total assessment of the San Antonio Water Supply Company, of San Antonio, Tex, as filed with County Tax Assessor Albert V. Huth. is $1,622,690. This is an increase of $104,570 over last year when the total was $1,518,120. The greatest increase is shown in the valuation placed on machinery, it being $155,000 this year as against $62,000 iast year.

Kearney, Neb., is considering a contract that provides for a twenty-five-year renewal of the franchise of the American Water Works Company, the city to have the privilege of purchasing the water plant at the end of any five years on an agreed valuation of $150,000, and in such case to also defray the cost of improvements from year to year.

Notwithstanding that the city water of Toronto, Can., is considerably improved in character and purity, as evidenced by recent chemical tests, the number of typhoid fever cases in the city is not abating very materially. Eighteen cases were reported to the health department in one week, and so far this month there have been 106 cases.

When the water commission completes its work with the filtration contract for the new waterworks system of Niagara Falls, N. Y., it will have one more problem to solve, and that is the contract of the city with the private water company, which must either buy water from the city or have its mains paralleled. The price at which the water company will sell has not yet been agreed upon.

Spokane, Wash., may face a water famine next summer. The present high water in the Spokane river has seriously retarded the plans of the city water bureau in connection with installing the new electric pumps at the up-river water station. No work is at ail possible owing to the flooding of the station, which is expected to last for some time. The snows from the higher altitudes which usually cause the overflow are still practically intact.

Mayor Wittpen, of Jersey City, objected to a bill before the state legislature in regard to a bond issue for waterworks purposes, in that it made the issue of such bonds as the street and water hoard deemed necessary for the purposes of their department mandatory on the board of finance. Governor Fort sustained the mayor in his obligations, and the objectionable feature was amended out of the bill, which the governor has now agreed shall be passed.

Former Chief Engineer G. H. Betwerberg, of the new waterworks system of Cincinnati, O., has filed a recommendation with General Superintendent Robert Laidlaw strongly advising the periodical examination of Ohio river water as a precaution against pollution. He reports that “with a constant scrutiny of the raw water, a careful treatment and the application of some sterilizing process in case of necessity, there need he no apprehension that the filtered water will ever he less potable or wholesome than it is now.”

The first water to run through the ditches of the big Denver reservoir and irrigation system, which is being constructed at a cost of over $4,000,000, was turned into the Burlington canal. It brought about 15,000 acres of land under water and is part of the project which is to irrigate 100,000 acres of land north of Denver. When the headgates of the Burlington canal were opened on the northern outskirts of Denver, 200 second-feet of water was sent rushing out of the Platte river down the big ditch. The portion put into operation was about five miles long.

Colonel L. J. Crawford, representing the Union Light, Heat and Power Company, of Newport, Ohio, appeared before Governor Willson in opposition to the Newport water bill recently passed by the state legislature. He contended that the act was unconstitutional, that the city has no right to extend its pipes beyond corporate limits: that the waterworks system has been exhausted from taxation on the grounds that it is solely intended for the use of citizens and not for profit making, and to supply outlying districts would be increasing its revenue, which would compel the listing of the property for taxation.

The judiciary committee of the New Jersey Legislature at Trenton, N. J., reported favorably the State Water Commission’s bill, which provides that the State Board shall build a reservoir for any joint supply desired and administer the supply. Instead of requiring a state fee over and above expenses of $1 per million gallons, it provides that no state fee shall be collected except on water used in excess of 100,000,000 gallons per capita on a basis of 1905 census figures. House bill 507, which gives the commissioner jurisdiction over all well and other sub surface waters of the state was also approved by the committee.

Justice Betts in the Supreme Court at Kingston. N. Y., ordered reductions in the fees of the commissioners for the Ashokan dam, one of the projects of New York city for an increased water supply. The opinion was handed down in connection with a decision fixing the recompense of former Assemblyman Charles W. Mead, of Albany; Harry Brady, of New York, and A. Winthrop Williams, of Highland, whose compensation is allowed at $2,109 each, and whose charge for automobile hire is entirely disallowed. The commissioners asked compensation at $50 per day, which would have amounted to $2,650 each.

Engineer Dornin, who has been investigating waterworks conditions in Norfolk, Va., has in a special report recommended that the system be reconstructed in the older portion of the city, and that much of the piping long in use be replaced by newer mains, the pipes to be large enough and placed in such a manner as to adequately supply the needs of the city for years to come. Not only are Norfolk’s present water facilities taxed to the limit, but the machinery used is antiquated and a pumping plant of greater capacity will also hav to be installed. An appropriation of over $1,000,000 will, it is estimated, he necessary to defray the expenses of the improvements proposed.

Officials of twenty-five cities bordering on Lake Michigan attended the meeting of the Lake Michigan Water Commission, which opened in the city hall in Chicago, Ill. The meeting was presided over by Dr. W. A. Evans, commissioner of health of Chicago, who stated that its object was to make a study of water pollution on Lake Michigan. He said that a survey had been made for Illinois and Indiana, and that it would be advisable to continue on the Michigan and Wisconsin shores. The commission also was interested in the sewage question to determine its effect on water pollution. After organizing the commission listened to a paper by C. B. Burdick, a consulting engineer of Chicago, on the “Realtion of the Intake to Pure Water on the Great Lakes.”

Some Late Waterworks Items.

A bill before the New York Legislature proposes to exempt water systems from taxation.

The municipal lighting and water plants in Seattle, Wash., formerly run as a joint system have been separated.

Mayor Maddox has performed the opening ceremonies for the $3,000,000 waterworks extension for Atlanta, Ga.

Silver Cliff, Colo., has made the last payment on its $140,000 bond issue of 1880, for the con struction of a water system.

The waterworks department of Salt Lake City proposes to lower many of the old mains and to lay new ones in many streets.

In Elyria, O., water mains are to be placed on both sides of the street in order to facilitate making connections and repairs.

Seattle, Wash., will buy 10,000 acres of land along the Cedar river for future water facilities, provided the consent of the government can be gained.

The Hanover and McSherrystown Water Co. has again started work on their new reservoir near Sell’s Station, Pa., and expects to complete it within three months.

A committee has been appointed in Macon, Ga., to investigate the matter of providing the city with water. They will be given almost a year in which to report.

A Chicago chemist, after examining a sample of water from the Quincy, Ill., supply, pronounces it to he of fine quality, exceptionally pure and without evidence of germs.

Of the $150,000 appropriated by Bloomington, Ill., for improvements to its waterworks plant $70,000 will be expended within the next few months for work urgently required.

Last week marked the passing of the Hyde Park Water Company as a private corporation after 20 years of efficient service. The municipality purchased the plant for $416,000.

The bill permitting the Woonsocket, R. I., water company to extend its supply across the state line to Blackstone, Mass., has been withdrawn from the Massachusetts legislature.

The waterworks at Lestershire, N. Y., which have recently been badly impaired because of accidents, are again in good shape and the water supply has been brought up to its usual standard.

The standpipe of the Rotan Water Company near Dublin, Tex., burst recently, completely demolishing the pumping station and injuring Engineer D. O. Williamson, who was in charge.

The Lake Michigan water commission, composed of representatives from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, recently met in Milwaukee to discuss the domestic water problem.

Profits from the municipal water plant of Denison, Tex . show a surplus of $19,232.57 for the fiscal year ending March 1 ; $13,467.14 has been spent for improvements during the same time.

The defeat of the $130,000 bond issue in Sacramento, Cal,, has by no means discouraged those who advocate improved pumping facilities. A new bond issue campaign will be opened at once.

A hill introduced in the New Jersey legislature provides for a new state water hoard of three members and carries a provisional appropriation of $25,000,000 for water storage imposes.

After several months of discussion over water bids in Niagara Falls. N. Y., the water commission has rejected all proposals to date ami will invite new bids for the construction of a filtration system.

A German chemist. Dr. R. Cans, of Berlin, is said to have solved the problem of complete and rapid softening on a large scale, of the hardest of waters. The project, which costs little to install, is being developed.

The Prince bill enlarging the functions of municipal water boards was passed by the New Jersey Legislature. It is intended for Paterson, but will also add to the powers of the Jersey City and Newark boards.

A notice was recently filed appropriating 300,000 inches of water from the Sacramento river, California. As the location is near the Iron canyon, it is believed that the filing was in the interest of that project.

A leak in the Fort Field reservoir at Yonkers, N. Y., wastes 250.000 gallons of water daily and injures about 2,500,000 square feet of property in the immediate vicinity..

For a number of years the department of health in Pennsylvania has made a ceaseless campaign for pure water, and the result is now becoming apparent, as the number of cases of typhoid fever is 2,500 less than four years ago.

The Spring Brook Water Company, of Scranton, Pa., has commenced operations on a new reservoir in Ceasetown on the Harvey lake system to help relieve the inadequate supply that Wilkes-Barre now is confronted with.

State Examiner E. F. McGuire, of Columbus, Ohio, who audited the books of the municipal waterworks plant of Canal Dover, reports that the system is operated in a thoroughly sound and satisfactory manner.

A typhoid fever epidemic threatens Jersey City, N. J., according to Dr. Henry Spence, house surgeon of Christ Hospital, who charges that the city is using water for drinking purposes that carries with it the effluence of Dover sewage.

The last section of steel has been riveted and work finished on the Iron Mountain tank, which will furnish water to Little Rock, Ark. It has a capacity of 250,000 gallons and is supplied from four wells on East Ninth street.

In order to create public interest in the forthcoming special election on the water question, the Plainfield, N. J., Protective Association has adopted an advertising scheme, in which all of the daily papers contain two-column talks on the subject.

Sixty thousand gallons of water were lost and Engineer Williamson was seriously injured by the bursting of the city reservoir at Rotan. Tex., a few weeks since. The huge tank was demolished and the engine house completely carried away.

J. S. Worley of Kansas City, the special engineer employed to make a thorough investigation into the value of the water plant of Wichita, Kan., has submitted a report in which he estimates the total valuation of the plant to be $815,537.

Winsted, Conn., fears a water shortage because so much of the water in Highland Lake is being wasted. On the other hand, the manufacturing interests, which control the source, fear damage from high water if the lake is permitted to remain filled.

Notice has been given to the city of Denver by Attorney Gerald Hughes, of the Denver Union Water Company, that after April 10 the company will recognise no right of the municipality to purchase its system, under any circumstances.

The bill of the water board of Jersey City, N. J., authorizing the appropriation of $500,000 for a new system of water mains and approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters is being opposed by Mayor Wittpen, who considers the project unnecessary and wasteful.

Commissioner of Public Works Francis G. Ward, of Buffalo, N. Y., threatened to order the suspension of work on the new tunnel and Porter avenue pumping station unless a waterworks bond issue for $2,500,000 is passed at the present session of the State Legislature.

In his annual report Chief Engineer Alfred Quick, of the waterworks department of Baltimore, Md., announces that the high service reservoir at Forest Park will cost $40,000 more than originally estimated. The city council is expected to appropriate the extra funds necessary.

Two 48-inch meters were placed in the big mains at the Kirtland street pumping station, Cleveland, Ohio, through which the water supply for the city is forced. One will record the amount of water used on the East Side, the other the West Side consumption.

Mayor Gonzales of Hoboken, N. J., has examined the water board expense records of the last 20 years, and finds that where the department was then run at $7,000, it now costs $18,000. The population not having grown sufficiently to warrant the increase, an investigation will be made.

In a paper upon “The Water System of Norwich, Past, Present and Future,” given before the Men’s League of Norwich, Conn., Dr. Frank S. Bunnell traced the history of the town’s supply from 1800 to the present time and made some valuable suggestions regarding a future supply.

The water board of Cincinnati, Ohio, has advised the commissioners engaged in the work of fixing the terms of annexation of Delhi that they arc strenuously opposed to the proposition that Cincinnati shall assume the $25,000 made by the town with the Municipal Utilities Company.

The town of Lambertville, N. J., has no contract for’ a water supply. A ten-year contract ran out in January, 1908, and was twice renewed by the year. On account of a disagreement between the company and city officials, the third renewal has not as yet been made. The supply, however, remains unchanged.

The water supply of Bridgeton, N. J., is lower than ever before and it may be necessary for the city to locate an auxilliary supply.

Dr. Leslie L. Lumsden, of the United States Public Health and Marine Hospitals, is in Omaha, Neb., probing the typhoid fever epidemic and investigating the water supply.

Work on the new water system of Bloomington, Ill., is nearing completion, and the open well now under construction will be finished within a week or two. The 24-inch suction pipes which will connect this well with the reservoir and also with the pump in the power-house are being rapidly laid. A recent test of the concrete bottom of the well showed it to be in thoroughly satisfactory condition.

Capital is being interested in a project to acquire an old reservoir site, near Milford, Utah, together with about 10,000 acres of surrounding land. The reservoir is part of a system constructed in 1892 by people from Texas, who were driven away after spending $85,000 on the scheme. The land reverted to the government, and the present owners believe that the reservoir can be placed in good condition for $5,000.

The water plant of Kingston, Ont., which, it is alleged, is a burden to the city, is actually a source of benefit and revenue, according to figures just completed. The plant cost $310,100, of which the municipality has paid off $108,000. There is a cash surplus of $17,168 on hand, and $25,000 has been paid out of earnings for extension work. The total profits of the system since its establishment. therefore, amount to $150,168, which, considering the hazards and liabilities of the department, shows a very creditable state of affairs.

The charges against Water Commissioners D. E. Barrows and W. C. A. Quirin, of Olean. X. Y., of having violated the city charter in having purchased water pipes without soliciting bids were withdrawn, it having been proven that the step taken was justified by unusual market conditions and actually resulted in a considerable financial saving to the city.