The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-30
MORE WATER WANTED
A Plan for the Most Speedy
Relief Submitted.
IL STEAMER MISSISSIPPI.
Board Of Public Works and the Demand
for Water-Additional Insurance
Placed ON Buildings.

Inc report Of the water committee OF the hon
orapie council, which was referred TO me by
your honorable board for investigation as to the
pess ana most economical method and plan to
meet the needs of the water supply from Lake
washington, herewith recommend after thor
ougniy Investigating the matter, both practi-
ca,iy ana theoretically, that to supply the city
WIN water to cover the present and the near fu-
ture demands that something must be done, and
at once, for it win take at least ten months to
&c. the pumps In place, with suction and force
md that the pumps are now pumping be-
yono their capacity for long life, and requiring
constant attention and repairs. They are liable
10 preak down at any time, causing extensive
repairs with no reserve to take their place.
ma that although the wastage OF water has
greatly decreased through the intervention of
meters, the constant legitimate increased de-
mand for water has kept the pumps running
about 1000, 900 gallons every twenty-lour hours
since the lst of January.
-, Wster Is now furnished to between 1900 and
vuo people This, including manufacturing,
eleators shipping and fire purposes, makes over
zoe gallons per capita per diem. The irrigating
season has just began, and this ratio will ma
terially increase, and II this department did not
use severe measures (which ] am sorry we are
compelled to do), IL could not furnish water to
ing.
Considering that two hundred gallons per diem
seems to be a large amount of water per capita,
we must consider the large amount used for
manufacturing, shipping and fire purposes and
that this will still increase proportionaly as the
mains and laterals are extended and as the sew
erage must be the adjunct for the health of the
city, large amount OF water will f1ow through
them.
find that most cities use about one hundred
or less gallons per capita, but few OF them have
the head that win give the pressure that is re-
CURED here, and where the water can be used
Tor SO many purposes.
Taking the present ratio of IS taps per.month
to supply customers, based on twenty zone hun
dred taps two months ago, with little or no dis
tributing mains, 1t would in just two and one
half years demand 5000, coo gallons per diem.
This time one year ago there were III miles
OF pipe from to IL inches as mains and 1871
miles OF Pinch pipe, total "a miles, with two
D SHS od pumps agsregsting total capacity OF
scarcity OF water then. Now there are in ad
dition IL miles OF to S0-inch new mains with
miles more OF Finch pipe and two new Worth
total capacity of 100000 gallons, and yet this
department is refusing, on account of the in
sunciency OF pumping facilities, to furnish the
demand and II the greatest economy 10 not ad-
hered TO BY the present consumers irrigation
win havelto be strictly prohibited.
There are yet to be laid this year and 10 now
on the way about % miles OF pipe from inches
to "a inches aud 10 miles Of inches, total of
81 miles. Comparing this with what there 10
now in use, 40 miles, and)the additional 3s miles
nearly double the mileage and covering q dis
trict equal to double the present.
This IL to cover the district north OF Yesler
avenue between Fifth and Eleventh streets, all
Of the Lake Union system south OF Depot to
Second, all of the district north of Depot and
west OF Lake Union and north to Harrison, and
also line bounded by Dexter, High and Tenn
perance. This covers a large territory and will
demand miles of latersls in the near future.
Water being now furnished to about %, 900 peo-
pie requires 1000 900 gallons per day. There are
now at fair estimate As 900 people in the city. of
these we can fairly assume that 5000 require
water from the city soon as 1t can be given
to them. Taking the same ratio now required
it viii require 1900 900 gallons to supply the de-
mand on or before next January, then the pipe
now bought and on the way can be laid, but
we have no water to put in them.
Ny opinion given to the committee of the
honorable council was for two 5000 900 gallon
diem, but after making a thorough examination
of the present prices OF pumps and the cost of
operating them with our local facilities for fuel
and labor, recommend 1900 900 gallon pump
per diem, 30-inch suction and S0-inch force
main to reservoir.
recommend this size pump especially on its
First-It must be compound condensing,
high duty duplex pump.
Second-From what has been shown above,
this is what is or win be required by the time it
Third-This will leave reserve of more than
half the amount in case of an accident
Fourth-This size pump can and will have to
be duplicated inside of three years with the
greatest economy to supply the demand of the
fast growth and the extension of the city.
Bygetting 100000 compound duplex high
and win pay back the difference in the cost of
two small pumps in one year and will not re-
quire any more boiler capacity than there is now
ct Lake Washington.
Approximate cost to give the city a good and
sufficient water supply for the next three years
One 100000 gallon pump in place, in
detail, inside Of building and tested 5000
400 feet No. 30-inch riveted, force
main, in place. 49,. ................. SO, 200
$50 feet No. s sO-inch riveted, suction. 1896
feotd inc nd 4
Placing $50 feet suction. 1000
Two stand pipes. Observation-Disclosures. 600
Clearing and building road. 1900
One 30-inch gate. .................. 500
Total. 1874, 7ss
To this should be added $l0, 900 for fre-proof
handling fuel, all of which is great saving
yearly.
charges should be balanced with interest on
the investment.
recommend that your honorable board urge
ell to authorize these Improvements at once, for
il is unquestionably to the welfare of the people
and business proposition for the city.
II will take at least ten months before the
pumps can be ready to pump water Therefore
1t will be six months before any money is re-
CURED. and only a small amount until the work
Is completed.
I will be ready to have specifications and
plans for these Improvements at once upon in
structions from your honorable board.
The report was ordered to be sent to the coun-
ell, after q short discussion of its principal
features.
Application was made by A. Brooks for per
mission to blow the hull OF the iron steamer
Mississippi to pieces with powder. 1t lies In the
habor about 400 feet from shore near the foot of
Leonard street, in about ffty-fve feet OF water.
The hull is said to be great injury to naviga-
ton.
1t was resolved to give permission, provided
satisfactory bond were entered into.
Complaint was made by w. r. Bentley OF
alley between Yesler avenue and Washington
street.
Application was made for extension of sewer
on Seneca street. from Twelfth to Thirteenth.
Application for a sidewalk on Madison street,
from Front to Second street, was referred to
street commissioner.
Mr.. A. A. Denny agreed to defer pressing his
claim for a sewer on Sixth and Olive until the
plans for the system were received.
1t was re ported that the sewer on Fourth. Ce-
dar and Water had been connected with the
sewer on Vine street.
1t was resolved that additional insurance be
placed as follows: City hall, $3.50; engine
house, corner Third and Pine, 5000; Lake
Washington pumping station-ouiiding, s20eo;
pumps and engines, 81, 600; boilers, 5000; Broad
way pumping station-boiless, 500; pumps
$500.
Majo- Rinehart reported the following deeds
a. having been recorded: z. T. Whittier and wife,
Mcknight Land and improvement Company, A.
W. Pratt and wife, Thomas Z. Pratt and WIFE,
John s. and Caroline K. Meggs.
A letter was received from r. ID. Wood Co.,
stating that the pipe viii be shipped as rapidly
as possible.
Mr.. Chalk recommended the extension of the
water mains on East street; report adopted.