The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1891-03-20

lttu SlNCh Il Cut VI plduS ANU CElUICiS-
ed them considerably. The editor said
that commercial filters were cheaper; es-
Inmates showed them to be considerably
more costly. Greenwich had spent
$4,000 to put in such filter, but was
not satisfied and the president had writ
ten to Mr. Rider for plans for sand fl
ter. In regard to slow filtration, Mr. Ri
der proved filtration in wells was certain
ly most thoroughly done, about seven
times slower than his ''slOw" filter for
dams. A sand filter at Waterville, N.
y, has been used for tour years in stiff
clay soil with perfect success. The cost
of maintaining a sand filter for each year
would be from $l5 to $40 only; any fill
ter should be cleaned at least once year.
The sand could not be washed down into
the stones below, because the velocity
of the water was not sufficient. Mr. Ri
der did not favor dividing the filter into
two compartments, because, though good
as far as it went, the benefit to be deriv-
ed would not repay the extra cost. The
daily consumption of water could be in
gallons, to 100000, without affecting or
disturbing the filter in the least. The
dam could easily stand an additional
height of six feet. The sand on top will
be about three feet in thickness; below,
about foot, possibly more, of broken
stone. In order to provide greater area
of water,the upper or present dam might
be raised, a floating valve being provided
to regulate the height Of the water in the
filter space. The water would not be
shut off while the filter was repaired or
cleaned, but none would be filtered, as
water wonld be taken directly from the
present dam. There was a possibility
that the supply of water would not be
adequate in the future, simply by reason
of the smallness of the pipes. This had
been the case in South Norwalk. With
the exception of a few hours while max
ing connections, the supply of water
would be undisturbed during the con-
struction of the filter. Mr. Shepard made
a motion that the water commissioners be
authorized to make contract with the
lowest responsible bidder, as per bids re-
ceived, for the dam and filter. In re-
spouse to questions, Mr. Rider said that
Norwalk had first had sponge and char
coal filter, and now had a sand bank fill
ter, different from that proposed here.
The water from this was certified by en-
incnt chemists to be second to none in the
State. And here Mr. Rider spoke of an
important point in this plan. "After
passing into the filter, the water is kept
entirely from the light, a very important
consideration in water containing vege-
table matter. The quality of water would
be improved by heightening the dam and
increasing the depth of water. 1t was
suggested that, by raising the dam six or
eight feet and constructing a temporary
filter, the water might become pure
enough for all practical purposes; but
Mr. Rider said that this would hardly be
sufficient, as the filter was too small. The
small proportion of water works, about
one in 80 using filters, was quoted to show
that filter might not be necessary
here. The cost of raising the pres
ent dam would be about $4,000. Henry
Gilbert quoted gentleman willing to put
in filter, guaranteeing it to work we'll,
for $500. Commissioner Hart asked if
this was not Bartram of Sharon and was
told that it was; "and,' Mr. Gilbert adj
ded, Il think he knows about this, for he
is superintendent of the Sharon water
works, which he largely assisted in build
ing Mr. Rider seriously doubted that it
could be done. The cost of claiming the
shallow parts of the reservoir would be
about 35c per cubic foot. Mr. Gilbert
gave figures from Bartram showing that
the filter consisted of two parts and that
the filter chamber was 20x1044 feet, fill
ed with sand and charcoal; this, Mr. Ri
der said, would not remain in case of ex-
ira fire pressure. The water commits
sioners were asked if they fully approved
of this plan, but, before they answered,
MIR Rider read descriptions of number
of noted water works, showing that the
same general plan was followed in all.
The motion of Mr. Shepard was then read
and seconded, after which the commits
sioners were again asked if they fully IA
vored the plan. Mr. Oakley replied that
this appeared to be the best of several
systems. He had talked with Contrac-
or Inman, swho said that there was no
doubt that it was a perfect system. Mr.
Rider said the same. Still, if the same
work could be done for less than $4,000,
the commissioners would be only too
willing. No one could deny that some
improvement in the quality of the water
was absolutely essential. One years ex-
perience, like that last year, was amply
sufficient in this line. Mr. Oakley also
said that the water works were self sus-
tanning and had paid an indebtedness of
about $1,000, besides paying for all inn
provements. The works have been pay
ing $4,000 year and the interest charges
were but $500. Some were fearful of a
tax; but Mr. Oakley could see no reason
why cent of tax should ever be laid for
the water works. Henry A. Gilbert
thought that it was not necessary to
spend so much money in order to obtain
satisfactory results. He was in favor of
good filter, but there would be large
expense for removing the road which
now runs through the pond. Mr. Rider,
in answer, said that the much quoted ar
ticle in the Engineering News was mis-
leading, because the News people were
financially interested in mercantile fl
tiers. Mr. Rider also read from statistics
showing that the dam and water works
at Sharon, built at cost of $14, 900, had
as much storage capacity as the space be-
tween the two dams at Eureka lake;
nothing was said about filter, but one
has since been added. The cost of build
ing substantial dam and filter could not