The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-10

demand.
SUBSTITUTE.
On the other hand. recommend plan
as substitute for the great cost of adding
10 our SUPPLY and pump mains which am
confident will correct the evil Of low pres
sure IN our present city limits at much lees
cost as | am sure the cause OF tho reduced
pressure is due To the immense waste now
existing all over tho city. As an evidence Of
TINS examine our present daily consump-
ton; In 1870 the daily consumption was
al % gallons per capita; in 1880 90 gallons
per capita and in 1890 l6s gallons per
capita. This, as applied TO the entire
! population, estimated at SO, 1885, but really is
at the rate of 302 gallons. a. estimated for
each water consumer. How can such an
increase have occurred unless IL is wasted
Efforts 70 stop the waste by house 10 house
inspection avail nothing. For example, tho
inspector will visit house. He has no
right 20 intrude upon the privacy Of tho
residents. and having given notice Of his
purpose TO inspect the water fixtures. he is
not admitted until there has been every
opportunity to shut of fixtures running.
and he generally finds everything in good
order. He may occasionally find fixture
ont OF order, and he then leaves a notice TO
have it repaired.
The class of fixtures generally In our city
are Of that kind which are generally left
running. Few people think they are vast
ing much when they leave a fixture running
yet II Is true that any one fixture left run
ning Tor tWeutY-tOur hours Will waste more
water than would be consumed by tho
whole family ia a month. Meters are the
only cure for this evil. / estimate that we
can place meter on every service in the
city OF Richmond for S22D0OO. nor would
we need this entire appropriation at once.
Let $4,000 be appropriated each year W.
I'll we have accomplished the work
would recommend that a meter be
I placed on every service OF supply at the ex-
K peuee OF the city and that an annual rental
OK 81 per annum be charged for the use OF
the meter where the meter does not exceed
one inch. That the amount of money re-
ceiYed for meter rents DO placed TO the
credit OF the meter fund. to pay the interest
on the cost, 10 pay the cost of repairs. and
sinking fund established for tho purpose Of
renewing the meter when 1t is worn out
/ i he life OF q meter IS about ten years. In
other words, II we were to buy meters by the
issue Of per cent. bonds and the average
rate OF interest received for rent would
be 10 per cent on the cost OF the me-
I ter, charging On annual rental Of 81
there would be "a balance left for repairs
and renewals. Then charge for the water
/ consumed at our present meter rates. which
scale from cents to 10 cents a thousand
gallons. / prophesy that in a short while
the waste will be stopped and the pressure
increased all over the city, the tax on our
pumping machinery and the expense Of
maintenance be reduced. For ara safe in
saying that the quantity Of water pumped
| each day would be an abundant supply for
/ population of 200, 900 persons.
IL may be urged that when water is sold
by measurement some people will be
so economical IN its use that they will not
use enough TO keep themselves or their
premises clean. In answer TO that ] call at
tentlon to the fact that we charge a scale
rate for water varying from seven cents 10
fifteen cents per ] 900 gallons. and If A was
| 70 use twice as much water as b, paying at
the rate of seven cents per 200 gallons, his
water rent would be No higher than BIS.
We already have several me ers in use on
/ both manufactures and private residences.
In every case where meters are on private
residences the water bills are from One-half
TO oDe-third less than they would be by
/ ordinance rates. The only thing then for
the water-taker is to SEQ that his fixtures
| are IN good order and not left running.
Should our main sewers need flushing at
any time they can easily be flushed by
means of water from the fre-hydrants. led
into the stacks and street inlets.
80 EXPERIMENT.
The great benefit 70 be derived from in
Producing meters is no experiments 10 has
been proven time and again in other cities
which have adopted the meter system. As
an illustration of the advantage of using
the meters | will quote what Mr. Richards,
superintendent of water works Atlanta,
Ga has to say in bis report for the year
1856: II cannot close this report without
again mentioning the very gratifying results
that have been obtained through the uni
Versal use of meters. The waste has been
stopped. the pumpage has been reduced 10
about third what tUQ ID
their introduction. the consumption of
coal is also about One-thiTd of what 10 was.
We are enabled 70 give the tremen all the
pressure wanted OF requlred we have been
enabled 10 get the pumping machinery
in splendid condition; we are carrying a
uniform domestic pressure that - giving
satisfaction at the highest attitudes In the
city. and atfording all the pressure required
for the hydraulic elevators the rate OF III
surance has been reduced and the insurance
underwriters are pleased with the uniform
efficiency of the works There are no COM
plants or grumbling, except the regular
monthly grOWls from those who have TO pay
for neglect or carelessness in the shape OF
big water bill Whatever merit the water
works has is due 10 the meter system. and the
Board Of Water Commissioners, aided by
his Honor the Mayor who displayed the
nerve 10 require their universal introduction
and thereby saved tue water works from be-
coming wreck.
AFTER FIVE YEARS.
In q letter to me dated October %. 1891,
Mr.. Richards further confirms the great
advantage and usefulness of tho meter sys-
TEN. and this confirmation comes after i've
years experience. / recognize the fact that
our revenue will fall OFF, FOR water bills will
be less, but our cost OF maintenance Will
also be less, and the saving OF the wear and
tear on the pumping machinery enormous.
j conclude by recommending the general
introduction of meters on every service,
commencing by degrees, placing meters on
the lower services of the high service distri-
button, and 80 follow 1t up each year until
the whole city is metered. The results Will
be lower water bills TO the consumer, less
cost of maintenance TO the city, increased
pressure al over the city and our present
pumping machinery and supply mains will
be found amply sufficient TO meet the de-
mands of our citizens for many years 10
come.
THE ORDINANCE
The ordinance which has been drawn up
To provide for the introduction OF water
meters reads as follows
BE il ordained by the Council or the city
of Richmond That section IA, chapter ~,
of the city ordinances, 1885 as amended
and reordained by an ordinance entitled an
ordinance amending and reordainine sec
ton IA OF chapter u of the city ordinances
concerning water works" approved June
Is. 1890. be amended and reordained so as