The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-05-27

Tohe Trustees Of Water Works, Canton, 0
GENTLEMEN: In connection with the
report of Mr.. Chesbrough, beg leave tc
offer a few additional observations. Tc
our citizens generally the construction
and operation of our water works are very
unsatisfactory, and it has become necess-
airy that something additional should be
done to provide for and maintain their
efficiency.
The proper mode Of proceeding pre-
sents many difficulties, on account OF the
condition of the works. The dissatislac-
ton and want of confidence in the public
mind, and the diversity of opinion on
the subject among our citizens is well
known. Mr.. Chesbrough's visit to our
city and examination Of the entire situa-
ton, in relation to the water works, has
enabled him to make the report before
us. Mr.. C. is now Chief Engineer Of
Chicago which position he has filled for
nearly twenty years, during fourteen of
which he has had charge of the water
works of that city, including the plan
ming and construction of the old and new
lake tunnels, the latter not yet compile
ted. These are justly ranked among the
finest engineering achievements of the
world.
Previous to his locating in Chicago,
Mr.. C. was City Engineer Of Boston, and
as such had charge of the wa er works of
that ci5y Was Water Commissioner
there prior to being chosen as Engineer,
and was at the head of the first Cochitu-
ate Water Board. Was Chief Engineer
of the Cochituate Aqueduct, and had
charge of the location and construction
of the work. He is at present, besides |
his official position in Chicago, employed |
by the city of Boston as Chairman of
Commission to investigate the whole
subject of sewerage Besides this, which |
covers period of nearly thirty years,
he has been professionally employed in
connection with Hydraulic works by the
cities of New York, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, |
Memphis, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, To-
ronto, New Haven, and many other pa-
ces of less note. His eminence in his
profession, especially in the department
of hydraulics, together With his large ex-
perience, warrants us in reposing the ut
most confidence in his suggestions.
In reference to the question of water
supply from given drainage area, it rs
proper for us to consider the water of our
sub-soil, which is gravelly and very por-
GUS, so that larger proportion of the
rainfall is lost by filtration and leakage
than in localities differently situated.
The average annual rainfall in this sec
ton of Ohio is estimated at thirty-six
inches. In the first report on the subject
of water supply for Canton, made in Sep
tember, 1868, referring to Meyers Lake.
will be found the following rather re-
markable language;
"By an outlet dam all this water will
be retained in the lake. None will be
lost by evaporation, for the lake already
keeps the evaporating surface covered,
and none is lost by leakage, for the top OF
the lake water ma es a water-tight bottom
for our collecting reservoir; therefore we
keep it all to send to the city,
Herein lies the first fundamental errcr
in connection with our water works.
The estimates then made were based up
on the acreage annual rainfall, without
any allowance for loss by filtration and
leakage or by evaporation. Common
sense should teach us that the least annu-
al rainfall, and not the average, should be
taken as the only safe basis of computa-
ton, while it is well known to all who
are in the least conyersant with the sub
iect, that the loss by filtration and leak
age is immense, unless great care is taken
to prevent it, nothing of the kind having
been done in our case; and that the ques'
ton of evaporation enters into the cacu-
lation, as factor of great magnitude.
The minimum annual rainfall here,
that is, the amount in our dryest years
may be placed at twenty-fOur inches, and
il NAV be safely assumed that not less
than four-hfth of this is lost by the
causes above referred to. This, from the
area drained and covered by Meyers |
lake, will give an available supply OF |
l7,424,000 cubic feet, or about l3O3OO00O |
gallons, which is equivalent to 35.7 (say
36) gallons per day to each inhabitant of
a population of ten thousand. 1t would |
seem that this ought to suffice at present,
but the matter of increase of population
must be considered, and besides, as will |
be presently shown, this rate of consump-
ton is below the average of all the prin-
cipal cities in the United States, as well |
as some of the European cities where |
greater economy is practiced than with |
us. 1t seems to me, therefore, evident |
that while the lake should not be depend |
ed upon as the sole source of supply even |
with our present population, it is of such |
value as an auxiliary, now and hereafter |
that it sh ,uld not be abandoned. In !
many places in England they are obliged |
to draw their supply from smaller drain
age area. proportionately, than in this
country, but it becomes necessary to pro-
vide against loss from leakage and waste,
while owing to the humidity of the eli
mate. and the heat of the summer being |
much less than here, there is less loss by |
evaporation, though the average rainfall
is less also, being estimated at thirty-two