The morning call., 1893-06-26

its west side with the new town sewer
system, as the grade will not allow of the
sewer passing either over or under the
pine.
The pretty little town of San Carlos, two
and half miles above Redwood City, was
laid out few years since and at that time
the superintendent OF the works promised
the people Of San Carlos that they could
have water from the Alameda pipes, but
he died before fulfilling his promise. Now
his successors refuse to carry out the
agreement, and the people are compelled
TO get water from wells for their private
use and are without supply for public
purposes, though every day eight million
gallons of the finest water that ever flowed
from natures fountains passes their doors
and Is turned into the bay within sight of
their homes. One of the leading citi-
Zens of San Carlos, recently erected a
very large and expensive residence and
expected to get supply of water from
the pipes that run through what was
originally his and. but even he was de-
MED the privilege, being compelled to bore
well and pump The water for his needs
This one draw back OF lack of water has
seriously retarded the growth of San
Carlos, as they have no natural source of
water; in fact, there are no natural
sources of water in the San Mateo noun
tains not owned and controlled by the
Spring Valley Water Company.
and right on the line of the main pipe, is
likewise handicapped. A few parties were
supplied with water when the pipes were
first laid, as at Niles, but this privilege has
been denied for several years, and the
company says mo" to every request for
water.
The amount of water that runs to waste
at the Belmont pumps. if caught in reser-
voIr. would supply every inhabitant of San
Mateo with years supply of water, or in
other words. city of ten or twelve thou
sand people.
The annual consumption of water by the
city OF San Francisco averages 6, 00,000,-
UOO gallons. Not over half of this amount
is used Tor domestic purposes. The bal
ance goes for various mechanical and for
eign uses, some of which are entirely out
slue the purposes granted by the charter
OF the Spring Valley Water Company.
mus 1t is seen that were this Alameda
water not wasted, but conveyed into the
city, 1t would furnish the inhabitants with
practically their entire supply of pure,
fresh water for domestic uses, and in stead
OF being compelled during the summer
months to drink the water from stagnant
reservoirs they would get fresh running
mountain water.
But then it would cost little more, and
the Item OF expense regulates the matter.
The land bordering along the Alameda
Creek has for many years been a resort for
campers, and until last year they were un-
molested in the enjoyment of the privilege.
But the Spring Valley folks were not sat
lsfled that any one should enter the sacred
precincts.s so notices were posted forbidding
any person to camp on the lands or to take
any water from the creek.
To enforce the rule Waterman is en-
ployed, who daily patrols the stream and
drives out by force any stray individual
that may chance TO disregard the injunc-
ton. And all this is to protect 5000. 900
gallons of water that are daily carried into
an adjoining county and run to waste In
the bay.
This Alameda water supply, with it's
pumping system at Belmont, is an ex-
penstve affair. and figures extensively in
the total amount of property the people
are asked to pay revenue on Every
year the Board of Supervisors are asked
to fix a rate that will allow the water
company certain net return on its in
vestmert and the cost of operating. OF
course, In figuring the operating expenses,
the Belmont works are supposed to run
continuously, and the Alameda system is
included as part of the general supply.
But the company finds it convenient OF
TO operate the Belmont pumps, thus saw
ing that expense to itself, and deny
ing to each and ali the right to use
any of the water, even after the people
of San Fran cisco have agreed to pay for
the cost of bringing 1t to their doors.