The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-23
STOP THE wAsTAGE.
A Simple Solution of the Water Sup
ply Question.


ply Question.
The water saving question is attracting
general attention, and its solution is so
simple that surprise is expressed that it did
not occur to those who have had the matter
in hand long ago.
A gentleman, referring to the waste of
water, said yesterday that it could be
stopped in ten days by dividing the city
into small districts and having every build
ing inspected from basement TO attic, by in
telligent inspectors, whose reports should be
submitted to the superintendent of water
works or some other competent officer. Ths
condition of the water supply could in that
way be thoroughly ascertained, and an ordi-
nance could then be framed and passed to
meet the state of affairs as exhibited by the
reports. The gentleman referred to said
that the use of pan and valve closets should
be forbidden.
Mr.. Douglas, in speaking of the water
meters. said that he Is not in favor of using
them, because the first cost is very heavy and
they are expensive to keep in repair, and
further, while every provision should be
made to prevent a waste of water, every
gallon Of which represents SO much money
in fuel, wear and tear of machinery, and
wages, there should be no limit to its use
for legitimate purposes. Meters might be
used in manufacturing establishments.
stables, hotels and other places where water
is necessarily used ad libitum, but in dwell
ing houses it should be unlimited, although
not wasted
A wel[knownsbusiness man, who is also
a thorough mechanic, said few days ago
that it is simply throwing away money to
spend $500, 900 on new works. There is no
necessity for an expensive building for a
pump house. The house could be built of
wood, and made substantial and hand
some. Instead of a brick chimney
costing thousands of dollars, an iron
smoke-stack, costing few hundred
dollars, would answer all purposes; pump
ing eogines, plain, but substantial. and for
all practical purposes as good as the best,
could be built in this city. They need not be
Of more than 1900 to 5000 gallons capacity,
and one engine could be put in to begin
with, and others added from time to time.
The new supply should be, as proposed,
from the Gwinnett street well, and the
old works might, when the new works
are established, be kept it good repair, an
engineer who would also take care of the
property being left In charge, so that in an
emergency the works could be put in opera
ton without delay. A sufficient number of
wells, none of which should be over 400
feet deep, which is about the depth of a
good supply of water, two engines, boilers,
a reservoir and pump house, it is estimated,
should not cost over 100000.
sk"There are two things the city ought to
do to husband the water supply for domes-
tic PURPOSES" said DIR. Falligant yesterday
to MORNING NEWS reporter, in discussing
the Douglas interview with reference to
water wastage. SIN the first place." re-
marked the doctor, "the city should go out
of the water power business. 1t furnishes,
as understand, mechanical power in many
cases, and we haven't the water to spare,
and think the city had best confine itself
to furnishing water in other directions and
turn over the motive power to the electric
light and power company
1.-The other matter which ought to be
remedied is the waste of water in Forsyth
park. There is no occasion for such
streams of water to flow from the park
fountain. Consumers complain that they
can tell at once on their second floors when
the water is turned on at the fountain by
the diminished pressure in their houses.
The fountain openings should be supplied
with sprays. 1t would require much less
water, and sprays would highten the effect
and beauty of the fountain. Sprays of
water are at all times more beautiful than
streams flowing from the pipes.n
The discussion of the water saving prob
lem is causing people to examine their wa
ter closets, bath rooms, taps, ETC., to see if
there is any waste Gin their'n." 1t is said
that a member of the water committee of
council found, on examining his premises,
that he had pan closet that was using up
5000 gallons, more or less. a day. He in
quired of his colored man how long the
water had been running in it, and was told
that the closet was in that condition when
he came on the premises six months ago.
Nearly a half million of gallons of water
had gone to waste in that one closet alone
during that period. The alderman doubt
less had that waste stOpned at once