The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-10
LEASE OF WATER WORKS.

LEASE OF WATER WORKS.
The bonded Understanding debt OF New
Orleans being too heavy load for the taxable
property of this city to carry. and the water
Works being no profit to the city treasury
but rather q loss Of some fifty thousand dol
lars q wear, We have from time to time, and as
the occasion suggested, advocated the sale OF
the Works for term of years. We have had
and given the opinion that for the lease OF
the Water Works for thirty years, the city
might obtain her bonds to the amount Of at
least four millions of dollars, which are
worth in the market about 81 900, 900, thus
relieving taxpayers of an annual outlay OF
about $3.50, 600 and diminishing the enormous
city debt by about one-sixth, a debt which
must soon or late be redeemed. If that
which is now q source Of loss to the city can
be made to reduce her debt and decrease her
tax, without detriment to citizens, and with
out risk, loss or inconvenience, even if there
was no better chance or prospect of improve
ment in administration, it seems wise to make
the temporary transfer.
An ordinance has been presented with this
purpose. It will, no doubt, undergo some
notifications before its final passage. 1t is
not easy in the first sketch of an ordinance of
such great importance, involving such vast
interests and reaching over period Of fifty
and perhaps seventy five years, to secure
perfection; but there is no need of hasty
action, and. before its final passage, correc-
tons may be made and omissions duly sup
piled.
The ordinance appears to have been pre-
pared with much care. The lessees must
height of fifty feet above the highest natural
ground in the city. The supply is to be suf-
ficient for all public and private uses. All
necessary works and reservoirs are to be made
with view to permanency and durability,
according to plans and specifications approved
by the City Surveyor The lessees are to be
subrogated to the rights of the city, and es
pecially to the right of expropriating property
required for works, reservoirs, pipes, etc.
The term mentioned is fifty years. The les
sees pay down one million of bonds, the bal
ance, whatever it may be, in fifteen equal
monthly installments, with privilege Of dis
count at the same rate as interest on the
bonds rendered. While any Improvements
are in progress, the present water supply
shall not be interrupted.
Section 6 fixes the annual water rates, and
these the lessees will not be suffered to ex-
coed, but rates for water supplies by meters
may be fixed by the lessees, with the per-
mission of the City Council. Water for ex-
tinguishing fires is to be supplied free, also
for public buildings, grounds, fountains in
squares and parks, and for cleaning streets
and flushing cutters. Streets and banquettes
taken up for the purpose of laying pipe are
to be restored and put in order.
The lessees are to give bond in the sum Of
500. 900, for faithful performance Of contract
Each bidder deposits $25, 900.
When the lessees have made improvements
to the value of $1,000, 900, they are to have
the privilege of mortgaging the same, but for
q period which shall not run beyond the end
of the term of the lease. To the extent of an
annual expenditure of not more than 500, 600
under direction of the Council the water sup
ply is to be provided for all places between
the river and the Metairie Ridge. The con-
sent of the Council is made necessary to any
sale, transfer, subrogation, assignment or
suitcase by the original lessee Of the whole |
or any part of the Water Works.
A clause is inserted allowing the lessees to |
obtain their water supply from the Tangipa-
hoa River, by the consent of the Council, and |
If such consent is given, two years are |
Allowed for the construction of the requisite |
canals, conduits, acqueducts, dams, reser-
voirs, etc., but the old Water Works shall |
be continued until q new supply is obtained.
Il the Tangipahoa water is successfully intro
luced, the machinery and engines of the
present works revert to the city.
The advertisement for proposals for the
ease of the Water Works is to be continued
ninety days.
At the expiration of the lease the improve
nents made by the lessees are to be
appraised and bought by the city, payable in
en- equal annual insta llments; or, if the city
hen declines purchasing said improvements,
he lessees are to have an extension of twenty
i've years, at the end of which the whole re-
7erts to the city free of cost.
The chief officer of the lessees is required
o make an annual report to the Council.
The Administrator Of Water Works and Pub
ic Buildings, or some other officer designated
" the Council, is to have special superin-
Evidence of everything connected with the
vater supply and water rates, and to make
monthly reports.
The maximum rates fixed by the proposed
rdinance are as follows:
or all houses occupied by ono to
four persons. observation-disclosures. 80 90 ,
,ach additional person over four
eXua T5I
ZACH water closet. Observation-Disclosures. 500
,ach urinal Observation-Disclosures. 500
,ach pryate bathroom .. & OO