The Portland daily press., 1863-04-18
The Cost of Water.

Knowing that the thoughts of our readers
are engrossed more with the subject of war
than water, at this time, we did not, and do
not now propose to go into any long discus
sion with our contemporary of the Advertiser
on this question, but as the proprietor OF that
paper has seen 1T TO describe our last article
on the water question. as SILLY, absurd and
groundless," that the estimated cost as stated
by us, to wit, two and one-half millions of dol
lars, was too high and only bugbear to fright
en- tmid men, &C., we have thought it best to
refer to the original papers on file in the city
archives. To show that our statements are
not "groufdless,' we give the report of the
City Civil Engineer, A. p. Marshall, ESQ.,, on
this subject, made by him to Mayor Cahoon
in 1854.
To the Hon. James b. Cdkoon, Mayor, dc.
SIR: In the accompanying estimates, have
been governed by the prices paid by the Bos-
ton Water Company in the construction and
operation of their works. 1t has been the ex-
sperience of all cities in obtaining a supply of
water, of nearly doubling in actual cost the
first estimates. have endeavored TO consd-
er this in my estimates, yet it is impossible to
make anything like an accurate estimate with
Oul a survey. lutIt dIt Oittl
occurring, which cannot be foreseen in an es
innate of this kind. The cost of the materials
can be relied on at the present price oil iron.
have Just been informed there is $50 feet
head above tide water. fsuch is the case, an
additional reservoir would be required near
Sebago Lake, at a cost OF s50,OOo, for recely-
ing and delivering the water, for the purpose
OF reducing the head to 200 or $50 feet L
should not consider it best to sink the reser-
voir on Bramhall's Hill below the surface.
examined, while in Boston, all their reser
voirs, the cost, and finely everything in detail,
so far as my time would allow. Every facility
was afforded me by the Mayor lof Bostonl and
different officers connected with the water
works, for obtaining the greatest amount of
information in SO short time.
The estimate / submit is imperfect and in
complete in detail in many respects, but
trust you may find it sufficiently correct for
your consideration, and hope it may answer
your expectations. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
ID (Signedl A. P. MARSHALL,
City Civil Engineer.
Accompanying this report is one giving the
estimates in detail, and Mr.. Marshall in that
states that Il have allowed only one-third
rock excavation lin the streetsl while it is the
conviction of those who have had the most ex-
perience In excavations in the city, that at
least one half would be rock
Estimating the cost Of the large pipes at s6s
per ton, and the small at $40 to IS, Mr.. Mar
shall's estimate for pipe is s2,o99,l66 lead
$1l5,293, reservoir on Bramhall Hill 100000.
Other items with ten per cent. for contingent
cies swell the whole estimate up TO s., 2S3 ,662.
g He estimates the cost of bringing water from
the Lower Presumscott Falls at 81, 10000.
We had innocently supposed that the "mem-
Der from Westbrook," in this water hobby Of
his, was prompted by his well known benevo-
lent feelings, and desired to build up this city
of his affections; but when we read this report
of Mr.. Marshall, and found that the cost of in
PRODUCING water from the Lower Falls of the
: Presumscott river, was more than one million
dollars less than if taken direct from Lake Sc
bago, we must confess that we could not keep
down the thought that the proprietors of these
falls, of which, report says, the owner Of the
Advertiser is one, would like to get up
Jarore on the water question, and have the
4 city buy these falls at an advanced price. This
may be all mere Imagination, all gas, but the
wisest of kings has said, "the thing that has
been, shall be-
We beg leave to suggest to our cotempora-
ry that he place his future articles on this sub
ject in his advertising columns, and under the
heading OF "Presumscott Lower Falls For
Sale.n