Rock Island Argus., 1871-07-29
SHALL ROCK ISLAND HAVE WATRR
WORKS?
A. Gall for Meeting of Citizens.
work can be lonesome of the
advantages.

There seems to be one universal reply to
the question "shsll Rock Island have Water
Works. Every citizen says ''yes, BY all
means, if we can get them" And to bring
Hbont the desired result we propose the fol-
lowing facts and careful estimates for the
consideration of the meeting of citizens at
the Council Chamber at o'clock P. M, on
Friday, August 4th. Under the present law
joint stock company can't be formed; nor
is it desirable that one should be- The city
should not only own but control
the Water Works, in order to pre-
vent exorbitant and unreasonable
charges. In addressing ourselves to
the city we would say that the undertaking,
besides being of immense importance to the
citizens and the prestige of the city, is sus
oeptible Of demonstration as profitable in
vestment. The water rents and use of the
water by the city will pay the interest on
the cost of the undertaking, and also
create q sinking fund which wia-in
fifteen yesrs-extinguish the debt created.
The cost of the works at moderate and
reasonable estimate would be about as fol-
lows; Machinery to supply 100000 gal
Ions of water per day, would cost, including
the amount for foundations, lot and setting
up, $34, 800. Six miles of main pipe would
come to $4,000 The laying OF pipes, ex-
cavasions, etc, $ll $50. Seventy fire plugs
at $40, $2,S0O Engine and boiler house,
$4,000. Sewerage and contingencies, 81,
$40; making total cost of 100000. The
cash receipts for the use of the water may
be estimated as follows: Use of seventy FIRE
hydrants at S60,-$4,2 200. Reots from one
thousand families at $40 per Snnum, Sl0,-
600. Rents from factories, hotels, breweres
stables, saloons, &c, $4,000 per snnum
making 9 total income of $4,000, which
would pay the current expenses of running
the Water Works the in serest on the $l0J,
600 in eight per cent bonds, and create the
sinking fund oontem plated above for the
purpose of extinguishing the debt created in
the undertaking. Passing from purely
monetary view of the question Of the prime
cost of Water Works, We mus
take smother view of the subject
and point the advantages to bt
reaped from their presence. The valus
Of all real estate in the in the city would b'
advanced at least five per cent double tn,
cost of the whole works. Then the addi
tionsl inducements offered to families ant
manufacturers TO locate where there is
good supply of water is no small item
Surely every body knows something of th'
great and inestimable advantage of gooC
and abundant supply Of water for bathing
culinary purposes, and cleanliness. Not Il
be stinted in the use Of all the water requir
ed for these is indeed thing of vital i'm
porsAnce espescisl on point OF health.
The FIRE engines could be sold for say
5000, and the annual expense of the FRI
department, say 81, 900 saved. Our propert,
nolueTs pay somewhere aDoUt $oU,UcU al
nual premiums for insurance against los
from Ere. The presence of Water Works
as contemplated, would reduce this rate b,
about onethird; thus saving some $40, 900
in consequence of the elmoet perfect immu
nifty from loss BY sweeping ires which wouic
be enjoyed as a result. We have no means
/ of ascertaining the cost to our citizens o
street sprInkling; hauling water ~
from the river; making and re-
pairing wells, cIsterEs, aGd pumps
bat the expense incurred, which
must be very considerable, would be sAvet
/ By Water Works. All these items oonsid
cred, there certainly is no enterprise ths
could lie started which would prove so re
muuerstive. This is DO extravsgsut state
ment, but is justified by the reports from
the Wster Commissioners of the thirty o
forty cities where the Holly Water Work.
are in operation 1t is earnestly hoped ant
expected that the forthcoming meeting vii
put the matter nf Water Works for Rocl
/ Island in such train as to leave the question
one merely of the time necessary to carr
out the undertaking to the best advantage