Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-08
SHALL ROCK ISLAND HAVE WATER
WORKS
Citizens Meeting-The Holly systsm-Esti-
mated Cost.

IF the Holly MANUFACTURING Company, al >
Lockport, N. Y, who wal en- route for Dss
St. Charles, Dubuque, and other !,
where the Holly system of Water {
Works is being put into operation, met quite
\ number Of our leading citizens at the
Council Chamber, when and where an in
formal meeting was held, and q general
discussion was had on the cost, advantages, {
aud feasibility of putting this system ofwater
into operation in this city.
Mr.. Keep very kindly answered all ques
tions, and gave those present many new and
suggestions. From a previous con
terence with this gentleman in this office,
together with the estimates made by Mr.. P
L Mitchell, who has been considerably in
in this enterprise, we are able to
make the following figures, which we would
ask every citizen to carefully consider, for
them as a basis, it will be necessary to
take SONS action
5000 feet 12xs inches, so lbs. to foot,
5000 " sxl2 43 Z"
10000" 6xA 30
> OOU - 4NA - "
Elbow, cross joints, and connections, $40
extra, per ton. Estimating at six
miles of mains, at 3 cts. per foot, in
leading So, OO0
200 ii. p. engines, eight pumps, capacity
of 1000, 000 gas. per hour ......",.. o2,OOo
Digging trenches for pipe ........""..-.. 6,oOV
Sixty IRE plugs, at 2,+00
Freight on engine and pumps........ 1000
Engine buildings 5000
Ground for buildings 1900
Iucid 5000
Cost of works in operation"..""".."."So4,9OO
This is a very liberal estimate, and would,
beyond q doubt, complete the entire works
and set them in operation. This estimate
includes the double rotary engine. the Holly
pumps, engine house, the laying of pipe
sufficient TO reach every street and house IN
| the city, FIRE hydrarts enough to have q
complete FIRE department once in every five
hundred feet, and a constant supply of clear
fresh water in a quantity of 100000 gal
Ions every twenty-four hours.
These figures are based on the superstition
that the works be located in the First Ward,
and the water be taken from a 6ltering well
large enough TO supply the whole city with
clear, filtered water, while the size
Of the mains, aud power is sufficient to
throw a dozen streams to the top of the
highest spire in the city, or viii throw a two
inch stream 225 feet high. which is IL feet
higher than water has been thrown by any
other power in the world. Besides these
advantages and that of having pure, filtered
water in every house in the city, it can be
used for spripkling streets, lawns, gardens !;
cleaning houses, walks and streets for
fountains, bathing purposes and the thous-
and objects known only to those who have
lived within the influence of such a luxury.
Again the city would save $40 600 on
insurance, and the companies would make
more money, for wherever these works have
been put In operation a fire has never been
known to reach q second building. There
would be a further saving of $500 per
year on OR Fire Department. Again there
would be a direct saving TO poor families
and others of $500 paid for hauling water
from the river; and a %cersein saving to
others Of So, 900 paid each year for pumps,
wells, %cisterns and repairs on the same,
which makes a total direct saving of ST 600.
which will more Than pay the interest on
the investment.
There is still another light in which this
subject may be presented. Suppose IN our
present population, We were to have 1000
water takers or consumers st an average
rental of IS per consumer or family. This
we believe, is g safe estimate, but still 1t
would give an income of SIC, 1000. 1t is
further safe TO say the water take for city
purposes will pay the running expenses OF
the works then take $4,000 from the in
come for help and officers salaries, and
there is a balance of $4,000, which paws
the interest On the investment, and Leaves f
balance OF So 900 fer g sinking fund, that
will retire any bonds the city may issue in
payment in less than twenty years, and
leave the city with free water, or 3 meRn'
of handsome revenue. Can the city Gforo
to neglect this opportunity? These are only
e few of the facts brought out ct the meet
irg. So very fAvorableedoes this project
look, that q committee, consisting of ? l
Mitchell, c Nj Osborn and Mayor Carter
has been appointed to draft a charter and
present it at the next meeting of the Coun
Gil.
Several parties have made estimates diff
+, fering somewhat from the above. The fol
lowing estimate is made by Mr.. Alex. Steel
who is considered e cautious fnancier:
Q at of Water Works ........--.Sl0O GOO
q Interest on same.-.... ....-... 5000
5 9, oO0 consumers, at IS .$l6,O O
Use of water by city ..."--...""-..... 100
s2s, 90
O Saving on fire risks r".... ,...."~"."--.$I5,0 zoe
Hauling 200
contra .r.-.... -..- -..-- ..-.-....-"..-SiU,5U
6 Interest on stock .."~."."."..- $4,000
Annual expenses""..."."~.,~-S5,O O0
81, 90