Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-11
THE WATER METRE.
What irs Friends Argue IN Its Behalf

meter varies according 10 It's SIZE
For instance four inch water pipe meter
costs 5000; a five-eighths inch pipe meter
costs SIS. The rates to be charged in the
use of the meter in Nashville is two cents
per hundred gallons for 10000 gallons or
over used per day; two and half cents per
hundred gallons for 5000 gallons and I'M
der 10000 gallons; three cents per hundred
gallons for 5000 gallons and under 5000
gallons; three and half cents per hundred
gallons for 1000 gallons and under 5000
gallons, and SO on, the rates decreasing in
proportion to the quantity used. These
rates are favorable in comparison with those
of other cities.
The following rates prevail in other cities;
Cincinnati, Baltimore and Louisville, tif-
teen cents for every thousand gallons; New
York, twelve cents per 100 cubic feet;
Boston, three cents per hundred gallons;
Cambridge, three cents for each 100 gallons.
By the adoption of the water meter it is
claimed our citizens will use the same
quantity of water for the same amount of
price now charged, but will waste not one
fifth which at present does no one any
good. This is accomplished by ascertain
ing how much water is used and charge
therefore, which will prevent its waste and
induce parties to repair and keep their n.y.
drants in good order. While no one would
be anxious to limit the use Of water to a
less quantity than is necessary and comfort
able, no one will be prone to waste it and
paw for the same. The present rates
charged by Nashville for the use Of water
is for the first three persons and under
$40, and for each person over g. From
a careful estimate each family on an aggre-
gate in this city pays S14 per year, being
at the rate of from 81 to $1.10 per 1000
gallons. Many families are paying $l4 per
annum for water when it is believed they
use not over 10000 gallons per year.
This results from waste and a de-
fectiye system in ascertaining the
amount exhausted. A water metre would
tell the amount exactly and prevent the I'M
necessary waste of as much as is needed for
actual supply, and by charging so much for
that used compel the family to pay for that
amount only. The estimate showing the
relative difference Of the present system and
that sought by the meters which have been
used in three places where large guam
titles of water are used, is herewith given.
TIE statement of water meter at the Peni-
Tertiary from May 10 to Aug. ii, three
months, is this:
Amount registered 551, $40 cubic feet, or
1S9, 725 gallons. Monthly average of
the water consumed is. 629,175 gallons;
Which at 20 cents per gallon, the rate
charged by water meter is for one month
1925. S3J; charge per annum aboutS1 400 .93;
The charge by the present, or old rate is
only S7.20. This makes a difference
of S6S9.93 in favor of the meter system,
besides the admitted annual saving Of at
least 100000 gallons of water that had
heretofore been wasted. The water meter
statement from July to Aug. 5, at the
Maxwell house is as follows:
Amount gallons used 8,320.55,
which at 20 cents per gallon
makes the monthly charges
therefor. ........... ........S l66 Al
And for one year. 1895 81
The present fixed rate is....... o75 90
Saving by water meter. ........ $l,l2l 81
to the city annually from this one source.
The statement of the water meter at the
Chattanooga depots and workshops shows
that about 100000 gallons are daily used,
for which the pay has been from 81 to 8
cents, although claiming to have consumed
not over 10000 gallons day. This makes
the yearly charge about 81 200. Estima-
ting the consumption at 10000 gallons
per day, the water rates by its accurate
measurement, gives an annual revenue
of near 81, 400 from this place alone. The
savings of waste produce benefits incalcu-
liable in more than a single respect, one OF
which is that the Water-wOrks machinery
will have only one-haf it's regular labor to
do, thereby preventing wear and tear con-
siderably, and in this way dispensing with
the expenditure of moneys for repair, i'm
provement, etc. The question, however,
before our people is, should the water
works bea revenue or a FREQ benefit to the
people of the city? According to Superin-
tendent WAITS report, the water
tax receipts of last year were a frae-
ton over the sum of $4,000, while
for the same length of time the expendi-
lures total were a fraction over l,OOO,
leaving irrespective of interest accounts,
which cannot be interposed as a negative
argument, revenue profit of $98, 900 in one
wear. Water is a necessity OF life, and
should tax more than suffces for operat-
ing expenses, and as a guard against acci-
dent be asked from our people. The poor
howell tenant, as well as the owner Of the
palatial residence must have water. The
ragged urchin whose playground is the mud
DIV gutter, and whose bed is the hard floor,
needs as much water as the beautiful child
of wealth whose fountain and doll are its
amusements and whose bed is
of finest down. If the ryten
sought by the introduction of water
meters affordsIrelief from this selling and
peddling of life's necessity to the poor and
the humble it may do. However we invite
all to Judge for himself. It may be the
means of saving many from paying too
much. Several experiments have proved
this. At private house in Jersy City a
meter was applied and it was found that
5000 gallons were discharged during the
first tWenty-four hours. An examination
showed that the water was allowed to flow
through private apartment OF the house
continually. The annual tax was $4,000
gallons for this house, which was consum-
ing its yearly allowance in less than three
days, and during the year 3,280,OO0 gallons,
a little less than two days supply for the
whole city, whose daily consumption was
{, 100000 gallons. This one private apart
ment was wasting water sufficient to sup
ply 131 families, and that for the sum Of
$3.50 per annum. Estimated at legal
rate this waste was q loss equal TO
IN Boston meter was
attached to a pipe supplying five hopper,
water closets at the Boston and Maine
Railroad station. Iu twenty days the me-
ter showed that $3.50 gallons of water
had been consumed, being at the rate of
24,690 gallons each day. At the tariff of
two cents per 100 gallons per day, this
would amount to S1,8O2 81 for one year OF
365 days. Yet the amount actually being
charged was only S25. Other instances
are given showing enormous waste of wa
ter. 1t is useless to say that no such ex-
traYagance on the part of the consumers
would be practised if the water was meas
ured to them and they were compelled to
pay for it, at ever so small valuation. We
will speak more on this subject hereafter.