The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-14

excessive waste, waste which III seems
impossible TO fully prevent by any system
OF inspection that can be adopted, Tor
when the approach OF the inspector Is
made known (as II must be when he Calls
at the residences Of our citizens) the
waste is stopped. and he finds nothing 10
report. The maximum capacity Of our
reservoirs day is 100000 gallons. For
several days during the recent colo
weather water was drawn from the res
ervoirs at the rate of 100000 gallons a
day. The problem OF better water sup
ply IS before YOU. for solution. i lave
give1 the subject Most careful considera-
ton, and / would recommend the general
introduction Of the metre system. ana
believe their introduction would be found
TO be satisfactory. We have now In use
255 metres. and both to the manufactures
and for domestic use they have given gen
eral satisfaction; for. whilst the parties
using them have had an abundant sup
ply Of water. their vater bills have been
less than by the ordinance rates. Fan
River, Mass. with a population about
equal 10 our own, has introduced the
water metre with great satisfaction 10 the
consumers. The daily consumption Of wa
ter. notwithstanding her numerous manu-
featuring establishments. is only 100000
gallons. whilst by judiCious tariff of rates
OF water Is luiilSltu 'Diiotiii-
ers at lower prices than under the old
system.
The reports in many other cities where
the system has been adopted prove how
beneficial the metre Is TO the works, and
what would be appreciated by us would
be that by stopping the waste OF water
We would secure the incidental advantage
OF a larger supply Of clear water during
the year. | am satisfied that metre rates
could be adopted which would furnish
abundance Of water TO all Of our citizens
and for less money than they are now
paying. That there is urgent need for I'M
mediate action is evidenced by the large
per capita 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 80 gallons would be the
maximum consumption; yet in 1890, the
per capita consumption had reached l6S
gallons A day. II this rate OF increase
continues the cost for the enlargement OF
our water plant would soon make the
Water Department a burden instead or
as Now, a source OF profit to the city.
The reservoirs are in good condition.
and the quality Of the water furnished
has been good and who lesome.
The former recommendations are re-
clear water basin above the now pump
house, TO be supplied by a conduit car
ricd 10 the river at a point near he five
mile lock. This would then be above all
the quarries and settlements on the south
side, and would on the north side Ice cut
Of from all land drainage and small
streams, including Tuckahoe creek, for a
distance of ten miles above the new res
crNoir, excepting a small tract Of low
de l.
feared.
Inc improvement Of our water plant.
either by the laying Of the needed mains
and putting in Of additional pumps or by
the Introduction Of the water metres
should not be longer delayed. our anan-
cial condition viii not warrant the expan-
diture necessary TO secure the former, and
II seems TO me, therefore. unless you are
willing to levy additional taxes. that we
are almost compelled to adopt the system
Of water metres.
Fire Department.
The continued efficiency and usefulness
Of our Fire Department, under the man
agement OF the Board Of Fire Commits
sioners and Chief w. G.. Fuller. is
source of sincere qualification.
The commissioners would rec -rnmend.
and indorse their recOmm en1ltion. that
the engine-house and Third poice-station
should be separated. This is needed both
for the convenience and comfort Of the
fire department as we'll as for the ef-
hciency OF the police dcplrtm mt. the
Fc'ice-sfdtion at present being too far to
che side Of the large district in which il
is located
In order that the engines may get a
better supply Of water it is very i'm
Eortant that the outlets Of the fire
hydrants should be changed from what
they now are about rs inches) TO u
inches, which is the diameter Of our hose
This change would involve an outlay Of
about $1,000.
A better supply OF water is needed in
that section Of tn" 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
fire; but there has been gradual filling
up along its banks, until now il is almost
impossible to get water enough to work
an engine. The amount Of valuable pro-
pert,x IN that section makes it very i'm
portant that We should have a good water
supply there
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
being aDle 10 raise ladders IN order 10
get TO the upper stories Of burning build
ings. whilst the continued stretching Of
wires across the tops Of buildings is an
other frequent source OF delay and dan
ger. Some legislation on this subject is
urgently needed
] will again call attention 10 the urgent
need OF a competent inspector OF build
ings, and to the necessity for some leg
islation in reference 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 Instructions at night.
and on several occasions the drivers OF
the department have run into these OBJ
structions. doing considerable damage to
apparatus, men and horses.
The board calls attention 10 the neces-
sity for an increase in the permanent
force and recommends the purchase Of
a chemical 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
csterns on our principal streets is sug-
gested. One OF these 10 be pfl ED I'm each
block Of the business districts, so that
in case OF necessity as many as four
engines could concentrate at che spot,
and on their arrival ar the fire water is
turned on and they are ready for work.
The advantage of these cist erns consists
in q full supply OF water and short lines
OF hose, stronger streams and greatly
lessened work for the men. These
cis.erns are now in general use IN the
larger cities Of the North and West.
Fire Alarm Department.