The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-09
Total water revenue. ............ $625, 917 81
WHO WOULD PAY.

WHO WOULD PAY.
The water revenue does not at present
afford any margin of profit. Reasoning.
therefore. GU Inc figures given for 1891,
any increase III the cost OF getting the
water must be compensated for by an
equal increase in the water rates; the
only alternative tothis would be to put
iii, sum ($23S, 334.45) added to the cost of
the water supply by the new arrangs-
ment, into the annual tax levy. an unsafe
proc, eling tor which there is no preced-
eut in the history of Jersey City, which is
contrary tc law, and which must be ruled
out. Neither could the Increase come
from water sold to other municipalities,
the rate mace to them being u matter OF
contract. The problem, therefore. re-
solves itself into the adjustment of an ad
ditional burden of $238, 1874 45 upon the
water takers of Jersey City. They now
pay annually for water $556, 7s4 SO; they
would be required to pay under the new
arrangement sos. 131. 81, or an advance Of
42 $40 per cent.
1t is not probable, as the schedules of
water rates are now arranged in Jersey
City, that more than about One-third OF
the increase of avenue could be assessed
upon the householders; it would be i'm.
polite, in view of the fact hat the house
rates and other assessed water rates are
already higher than in New York and
Brooklyn, to attempt to raise them more
tnan 20 per cenG. lnlS Woulu iuCredso
the water revenue $S3, 1874. 10, leaving
1854, $50 So to be forced ont OF the con-
sumers OF me sured water, IN addition to
tie 1921. S4S. 80 now paid by them. making
an increase of 20 per cent. in the agRre-
gate amoun OF measured water rates.
MEASURED WATER.
The total number of of
measured water In the city is 40, ensbrac-
ing the railroad and manufacturing in-
t~erests: their consumption OF water ag-
gregating about two thousand million
gallons per annunl, or over five million
gallons ,aily. Water is almost invariably
sold for industrial purposes as nearly as
possible at cost p.ice, for the best of
reasons; cheap wafer attracts new INDUS
tries, and dear water repelS them.
The normal rate for measured water in
Jersey City is 90 cents per 1000 gallons.
This price is. however, reduced according
TO a sliding scale to large
ander what are known as monthly rates,
according to which the use of a larger
mount than 625. COO gallons per day en-
titles the consumer to u rate OF 10 cents
Der 1000 gallons; and in the case of the
largest (the Sugar Housed Il
special rate Of 8 cents per 1000 gallons is
made. The aggregate annual income IN
1891 at these rates was S144, 259.03, for
water used By the Sugar House, Pennsyi-
yauia, Erie and Central Railroads. while
SIT. $50. IS was received under rates vary
ing Ii 1-3 cents TO 20 cents (Which it is fair
to average at Is cents) per 1000 gallons.
The abolition OF these concessions to
Che larger consumers in the city. placing
them upon the same plano with the ordi-
nary consumer of measured water would
solve the problem and enable the required
Sf34. $50 10 be raised, with some margin
Tor contingencies. thus
Increase of lie. ON water sold ut
cents Sd3, lI% 20
-. zn.n aF 1Os IN .y1tQr xOl6 nj IN
9s,ot2 20
Increase of SC. on water sold at 10 cents
Gas cslimated) ......... 2o,So3 ~
Total $751;, sos 10
LARGEST CONS UMERs..
The two largest sun OF water
would be affected by this revision of rates
ko the following extent annually, III pay
ment for water:
Sugar House, annual consumption, 3d. 97, 900
pro ent water rates, at 9 cents........$ 81, 6S6 rs
Prospective water rates. at 70 cents. 1l4,S5y 81
Pa r, II. Co, annual consumption, 3l4, 1856, 900
gallons.
pruspectiye wafer rates at 20 cenrs.... 62,O27 %
lncrease...... 5l,4l5 oV
DIRECT SUPPLY EXPENSE.
IF Jersey CITY is permitted to obtain Il
water supply from the ~Pequannock River
mn The basis of actual value, ascertained
under condemnation proceedings, the
cost can be estimated thus:-
The City IF Newark, for an annual
payment Of 100000, IN the 1crme OF In
ferest upon four million dollars OF four
nor cent. bonds, is entitled to ~, 500. 600
ynllons of water daily, Q0,O31 1-S million
rallons annually, the cost being 1884 per
mlllion gsllons,-to this must be adued
M allowance TO cover the expenses OF