Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1891-01-03
NEW HATER-pUIplIG PLANT.
EXPERT BELL RECOMMENDS THAT ONE
BE PROCURED.
The City's Creditors Offer to Waive Their
Demands for Eight Months, or
More, If Necessary.

Considerable interest has been mani
tested by citizens generally as to wha
would be the tenor of the report of the ex
pert sent from San Frsncisco by the bond
holders TO examine the water works plan
of this city. The City Trustees had de
cided that the two pumps now in use cculG
not be depended on in case of great emer
examine them and report on their condi
ton.
Mr.. Stoddart, the engineer selected fol
that duty, agreed that both pumps, al
though in running order, were not in the
best of condition, and that the breaking
down of either at an unopportune momeu,
would result disastrously to the city. He
recommended that a new pump be pur.
chased.
The money in the water works fund
would not permit of the expenditure of the
sum required to buy the necessary ma.
chinery, and the Board concluded that, as
the bondholders were as much interested in
the welfare of the city as the inhabitants
themselves, it would be but fair PROPOSE.
ton to ask them to assist in purchasing 8
new pump, by agreeing not to draw Their
ffty-five per cent. of the proceeds of the
water works for certain length of time, Sc
that the city might use the money in max.
ing up the amount necessary to be ex.
pended.
This request was made, and the bond
holders sent TO Sacramento an expert Ar.
thur F. L. Belly to satisfy themselves that
the pumping plant was inadequate to the
demand. Mr.. Bell examined the ma.
chinery and made his report few days
ago.
THOSE CRACKS.
With reference to the cracks in the
suction passage on the bottom of the Stew.
ems pump, he says they may or may not bs
crawling" for few inches farther, they
would connect with the cylinder beyond
the valve. chest, and not only crack the
cylinder but follow around the chest an6
totally disable the pump. One of the
cracks is wide enough to let the water be-
forced out with each pulsation of the
pump. Mr. Bell believes these cracks are
due to there being no air chamber on the
suction-pipe. He adds:
SOME OTHER ALLEGED DEFEcTe.
Another thing which causes consider
able annoyance is the breaking of the
levers which drive the air-pump. l be-
ieve this is mainly caused by the parts be.
ing strained during the winter months, a.
at that time the river backs up the air.
pump discharge pipe, and, there being no
air-chamber, or large vent pipe to obviate
the shock, causes capitalization of the
parts, which are constantly breaking. In
regard to. efficiency, the pump never was
pressure condensipg pump, carrying the
steam for almost full stroke, and governed
altogether by the Unbelievable. Theoret.
ically, the discharge of water for each revo.
luton is 326 81 gallons, but the engineer in
his report only figures the discharge 315
gallons, allowing four per cent. for slippege
This allowance is not enough, and | be-
lieve an additional 121 per cent. should be
taken off all the reports of the output OF
this pump, and, besides the loss due TO ad.
hitting air in the suction-pipe no account
piston, which, after it has not been packed
for some time, must amount to one or two
per cent"
CONDITION OF THE HOLLY.
The Holly pump was also examined by
the expert, and he states that it is in fair
condition, although many of the parts are
worn, The pump was originally intended
to pump constantly against about sixty
pounds water pressure, and to carry live
steam in each cylinder, but 1t now pump:
against only an average of twenty-foul
pounds, which makes the steam cylinders
totally out of proportion 10 the water cyl
inders.
Regarding the boilers, Mr.. Bell states tina
externally they do not show any defects
but it is to be presumed that the natura
life of the three older ones must be near
ing an end, from the fact that they ar
n,xIxk al hn- haay, IN
slant use night and day.
THE DEMAND STEADILY INCREASING.
The main points of the experts conclud
ing remarks are as follows: 'The waite
consumption, l find, has been steadily OF
the increase until now, and both pump
during the summer months have to b
worked to their utmost capacity for certain
hours during the day. If it were not 70
the city ordinance compelling the snuttln
of of all water used for irrigation during tn
time of fire. the pumps could never suppl.
enough water to maintain the pressur
necessary; and it even now takes from TEL
to twenty minutes before the pressure
attained with both pumps running.
sit is during fire that there is creates
danger of breakdown to the Steven
pump, and if it breaks down under sue
circumstances it would be impossible g
times for the Holly pump to keep up tn
hose supply.
AN ENTIRE NEW PLANT ADVISED.
after carefully considering the waite
question from all sides, find that there
no alternative but to most urgently recon-
mend the erection of whole new plant {
not less than 10000, 600 gallons daily ca
pacity and capable of constantly deliver
ing the water into the main at from thirty
Exya 70 do Tho mis- IN
should consist of double crank and fig
wheel pump, consisting of two pumps an
two Corliss engines driving on one crank
shaft, with pins set on an angle of 80 ds
grees, and SO arranged that one or b /
pumps could be run at one time. Tn
pumps should be of the outside packe
plupger type, which absolutely does ava
with all slippage of water past the piston
due to a piston pump, and besides is th
only kind that should be used where th
water is muddy, as it is in the Sacrament
given the highest duty on record; and, fl
simplicity. durability and economy, are tt
most durable pumps made.
WASTE OF FUEL.
81 am informed that the price paid fl
coal during the year amounts to $14 20
which is more than twice what it should b
and Dy putting III the economical plant IL
saving would amount to more than 81 *
on fuel alone, besides giving the city an q
surance of permanent water supply.
NEW BOILERS ALSO.
&c would further recommend that II
new plant include new boilers, as tine pre-
ent ones are not of an economical patterl
and cannot carry the high steam pressul
necessary for tine good working of an &c
nomicsl pumping engine. In regard TO Il
LOCATING A NEW PLANT,
There is not room in the building as it no
stands. have heard the opposite side
he Holly pump recommended as pla,
o put the new plant, but it could hard
De squeezed into such a narrow space, eve
if the balcony were removed. Between Il
present water-works and the City Hs
there is space from 2S to IS feet wild