St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1893-11-18
Communicated.
WATER WORKS.

OPELOuSAS, La, Nov. 18th, 1898.
Mr.. Editor.-But few of our people will be
found who will not admit that Il system of
waterworks, for extinguishing fires, Naduc-
Ing insurance, sprinkling the streets. ETC.,
is one OF the absolute necessities of this
town. In conversation with prominent
citizen the other day he stated that the
smallest system of WaterWorks here would
cost not less than $50 600.
The cost is certainly very important ele-
ment in the consideration of this subject,
and in order that the people may be inform
ed have taken the trouble to ascertain the
cost of some of the Items.
stand pipe is feet In diameter and Sc feet
in height, containing l53 900 gallons of water,
with all connections complete, put up on
foundation to be erected by the town, fully
guaranteed ant @ ana painted, can pc had now
not exceed S250.00 or 5000 This stand pipe
should be erected on Main or Court streets,
and the mains laid north and south there
from, say 1890 feet in each direction, at
cost, laid, OF 81 80 per foot, equals 81 800;
lateral branch pipes may be very much less
in size and cost, say 3 cents running foot;
hydrantS cost about $40 to So each ac-
cording to size and height, and there should
be not less than one on each square of the
lines; a pumping engine and boiler com,
plete should not cost to exceed 5000, and
may be located away from the stand pipe
(which should be in the center OF town.,
and the power might be utilized for running
machinery of different kinds, thus bringing
the town revenue, besides pumping water
into the stand pipe.
In regard TO the supply OF water, L NOulQ
rely for the present on pools made by build
ing dams on Bayou lesson, say to locate the
pumping machine in the lower portion of
town and have three dams on the bayou,
thus making three pools which would con-
tain two or three times the contents of the
stand pipe and would be sufficient for all
purposes. When the lower pool was ex-
hauSted the contents of the next one above
could be admitted to it; thus the town would
have supply of water amply sufficient for
the extinguishing of fires at all times. Ar
tlCfl n u-al fsq Va q hGa
town are increased, and II found to be suf-
ficient the power furnished by the stand
pipe can be sold for all manner OF useful
purposes-sawin OF wood, driving of fans,
and running of small machinery, etc.
/ believe that the town can have in this
manner a system of waterworkS, ample for
all present purposes: putting out fires and
sprinkling streets, ,and the saving to the town
in ten years will pay the cost, which need
not exceed, in my opinion, fifteen thousand
dollars.
If the town has to be still more economi
cal, they can have.a wooden tower 63 feet
high for S574 90, or an iron tower, same
height, for SIG. 20; or wooden tower rs feet
high for $1,000, or an iron tower, same
height, for 1858 90, to support a ciStern OF
"a, 900 gallons capacity l625 barfels), which
ciStern would cost S232 go, and they could
lay six inch mains and four Inch laterals;
a system that would be Indefinitely prefera
BILE to the present system, In fact which
for all ordinary fires, could be got up for
six thousand dollars.
These ideas have been hastily set down,
but the figures are from responsible houses.
Very Respectfully,
GEORGE o. ELMS.