Daily Republican., 1883-01-02

The annual report of the Chiof Engi
nser of the Water Works, McIntiIe is
fruitful with practical thoughts and
suggestions, the main thought being
that our presnt supply will in a shor
time be inadequate for the wants of the
city. Indeed at the present time were our
single WorthlDgtou pump to give ont,
We could not keep up 4 supply for two
weeks without It. A city like Will
mington, containing fifty Thousand
souls, and thick with manufactures
should not be left to any such contin
gency. The CHIEF Engineer very Justly
complains of the useless waste Of water
In the city, many persons being 20 ex
travagant as to let the water run con.
tinuously from bydrants, wash paves
and the water closets To stop this
useless waste, Mr.. Mclntire suggests
the adoption of water meters, which
measure the water used, as gas ueters
w gas anu eacu user Ol BfauGyWlne
water, would then pay for the water
he uses, no more nor No less. The test
made Of the meter in Mr.. Alfred CAV
throp's residence, shows til great
many water users are pay ina" TOO much
water tax while others are undoubtedly
not paying enough. MIR. Cav throp's
water tax wa SIS for one hydrant, one
oath, two water closets, one wash pave,
and one wash basin. BY the water me-
ter, that is, paying for what be used
only computing it at ten cents per
1000 gallons his tax would OILY have
been 81 So, a little more than half nj.
present tax. Mr.. Gawthrop is gentle
han well known, a leading and pract-
cal plu Der, aud those who know him
will not accuse him Of stinting himself
of an abundance OF water, aud there
fore his test of the meter must be &C
cepted as fair one. b. TIE report it
will be seen that the consumption of
water during the year was ,7u5, ll6 5l4
gallons oyer 1881 This is an enormous
Increase, much Of it required according
to our present system, but it is astound
ing to hear from Mr., MCIntire, and We
will not attempt to dispute him, when
he says, that at least one half of that
vast volume OF water supplied, is wasted
Ii water meters will prevent this ire
mendOus waste, and at the same time
reduce the taxes, then by all means let
water meters be introduced The re
duction Of water rents nearly one halt, |
through'tne introduction OF the water
meter. would necessarily reduce the
revenue to the city from the water
works, which are not only self sustain |
ing, but pay surplus into the city |
Treasury of S3l, 335 % In most cite |
the water works are only made self sus- |
tanning. IAe reduction Of water rruls |
would ecessarily increase the city tax
% ioSu4aiJ OtC Chh4HS jus taxes and
add to them the reduction Of water
rents, would make the amount h. tax
payers now pay to tho city. The il.
PRODUCTION of water meters would be
most potent in saving the supply Of wa
tor, and the expense OF pumping would
be consid srably diminished. The re-
port very properly condemns the lay.
Ing of water pipe less than six inches
In diameter. The city was pur to great
expense few years ago, IN removing
small two and four inch pipe to max.
place for larger pipe. 1t is folly to re-
peat this mistake. Tie city is fast ILL.,
ing up with dwelling houses, which re.
quire larger supply Of water, and ,
Sufficiently large pipes might as well
be introduced trst a. last.