Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-14

another appropriation, and our Superin-
tendent thinks that IL tho experience OF
other cities may be any guide to US the
general introduction Of the meter system
would enable our present WORKS 10 supply
o population twice as large as we nov
have. Our experience during the past
winter demonstrates the necessity OF some
better provision for our water supply'for
at one time we bad only fifteen hours
supply of water on hand in the reservoirs
and we were daily losing water because OF
the excessive waste-a waste when III
seems impossible TO fully prevent by any
system of Inspection that can be adopted;
for when the approach of the inspector -
made known las IL must be when he Gals
at the residences OF our citiZens) the
waste Is stopped and be finds nothing 20
report. The maximum capacity OF our
reservoirs u day ia ls,0J0.000 gallons. For
several DAYS during the recent cold wea-
ther water was drawn from the reservoirs
at the rate of II. 0 900 gallons a day.
THE METER SYSTEM RECOMMENDED.
The problem of a better supply is before
you for solution. | have given the subject
most careful consideration, and | would
recommend the general introduction OF
the meter system and / believe their IN
trC duction would be found TO be salts
factory. We have now II use 25j meters,
aud both 10 the manufacturer and for
domestic use they have given general salts
faction for. whilst the parties using them
nave had an abundant supply OF water.
their waterfalls have been loss than by
ordinance rates. Fall River, Mass, with
n population about equal to our own, has
introduced the vater-meter with great
satisfaction to the consumers. The daily
of water. Notwithstanding
her numerous manufacturing establish
ments. Is only 6,0J0.C0O gallons. whilst by q
iudiciOus tariff OF rates abundance OF
water Is furnished 1sum at lower
price than under the old system. The
reports IN May other cities where
the system has been adopted prove
how beneficial the meter Is TO the
works, and what would be appre-
GATED bv us wOuld be that, by stopping the
waste of water. we would secure the lnci-
dental advantage of a larger supply OF
clear water during the year. / am salts
fed that meter rates could be adopted
which would furnish abundance Of water
10 oil OF our citizens and for less money
than they are now paying. That there IS
urgent need for immediate action Is evil
| denced by the large pr cGOid increase IN
the consumption OF our water. In 1870 we
used each day "a 4-5 gallons per- capita. and
when our new reservoir was constructed
II was the expectation that 30 gallons
would be the maximum consumption. yet
in 1890 the D6r capita c0nsumption had
reached 16S gallons a CAV. Ii this rate OF
increase continues the cost for the enlarge
ment of our water plant would soon make
the Water Department q burden instead
Of, as now, a source OF profit TO the city.
CLEARWATER BASIN.
The reservoirs are in good condition and
the quality of the water furnished has
been good and wholesome.
The former recommendations are re-
newed for the construction Of o large
| - a. I.-1p oInva chm ngW nnmn- |
house to be supplied by a condult carried
10 the riyer at a point near the tlve,Mile
Lock. This would then be above all the
quarrles and settlements on the south sldc
and would on the north side be cut on
from all land drainage and small streams
INCLUDING T%uckahoe creek for IA distance
of ten miles above the New reservoir, eX-
cepting q small tract Of low-Grounds, from
which no danger need be feared.
The Improvement of our water plant.
either BY the laying of the needed mains
and putting III of additional pumps or by
the Introduction of the water-meters,
should not be longer delayed. Our imam
cial condition will not warrant the eXpen-
diture necessary to secure the former, and
1t seems TO me. therefore,, unless YOU are
willing to levy additional taxes, that we
are almost compelled to adopt the system
of ~water-Ineter5.
wELL-MASAGED FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The continued efficiency and usefulness
of our Fire Department under the man
noomept of the Board OF Fire Commissions
ers and Chief W. q. Fuller Is a source OF
sincere qualification. The total force en-
ployei in this department consists OF l53
men, Of whom ~ are permanently EN-
ployed. and III in the call force. There
are 3 engines in active service, 2 new els
zines having been added during the year.
Besides these there ure 5 hO~se-wago2s, 3
two-wheel hOse-carts. 3 trucks, ! reserve
engine. Al horses, and 1890 feet OF new
hose. There were during the year 269 fire
| alarms, being an increase OF 13 over the
preceding year. In addition to the 2 en-.
zines above mentioned there was added
during the year l improved hOse-wagon,
1000 feet Of hose, and u horses. The efi-
cheney OF the department was further Ill
creased by the addition to the permanent
force Of an officer TO be known as the FIRST
Chief.
The commissioners report the rebuild
inc of the engine-house on Third street.
The commissioners would recommend. and
| endorse theT accommodation. that the
eneinc-house and Third P~ollce-Station
should be separated. This is needed both
for the convenience and comfort OF the
Fire Department as we'll as for the eii-
cheney of the Police Department. the POI
LEGISLATION at present being too tar to one
side OF the large district IN which 1t Is
located.
In order that the engines may get a bet
ter supply of water it IS very important
that the outlets to the fire hydrants should
be changed from what they now are
about * inches) to % inches, which Is
the diameter of our hose. This change
would involve an outlay of about $4,000.
better supply Of water Is needed IN
that section of the city on the south side
Of the old basin. We have been for some
time almost entirely dependent upon this
basin for a supply of water in case OF ire.
but there has been a gradual filing up
along its banks until now II Is almost IN
possible TO get water enough TO work an
engine. The amount of valuable property
in that section makes IL very important
that we should have q good water supply
there.
SOME or IT'S NEEDS.
The work OF the department is greatly
hindered by the number of wires on our
streets. At several fires during the year
serious DELAYS have been caused by not be-
ing able to raise ladders in order to get 10
the upper stores of burning buildings
whilst the continued stretching of wires
across the tops OF buildings Is another ire
ouent source OF DELAY and danger. Some
legislation on this subject Is urgently
needed.
/ will again call attention to the need of
a competent inspector Of buildings and to
the necessity for some legislation in refer
ence to the unnecessary obstruction OF the
streets by builders and Others. 1t often
happens that piles OF lumber and brick
are allowed TO remain in the streets for
| months, with no light placed on these OBJ
structions at night: and on several occa-
, sions the drivers of the department have
:un into these distractions. dong consid-
, cradle damage TO apparatus, men. and
| horses. 1t these distractions are 10 be
} allowed lights should be placed on them
during the night.
The board calls attention to the neces-
sity for an increase in the permanent force.
, and recommends the purchase OF a chemi-
cal engine and the laying OF new water
mains in such portions of the city where
. the present supply is inadequate IN case OF
fire. The construction of dry cisterns on
: our principal streets is suggested-one of
; these TO be placed in each block of the
business districts, so that in case of neces-
/ sity as many as four engines could con;
: contrate at one spot, and on their arrival