The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-08
THE WATER CONSUMPTION
Mr.. BOILING AGAIN ADVOCATES IN
PRODUCTION OF METRES.
Repairs 10 the Water Works During the
Past Year-Cspscity Of the Pumping
Apparatus-was OF Water.

year 1875 gives a detailed statement as
,s The condition OF the plant. the work
DONE the expenses incurred etc lie DIS
tnctly shows that during the past nine
wears. since he has been in charge OF the
water works. a distinct and steady prog
rass has been made lie takes the ground
that for the money invested since the
eetabilshmcnt OF the works in 1880 the
cts has received fun returns, either in
the annual revenues derived from it or
IA tho value OF the property which has
been required.
Str Boiling lays great stress upon the
advantage which would be derived from
O. general introduction Of water-metres
and the saving that would emanate from
a. 90 watcr-takers. However. he admits
the fact that a majority OF the mem
hers OF the City Council are not disposed
20 carry out this suggestion, and ne
makes. therefore. propositions as 10 the
next best thing 10 be done.
The following is an extract from MS
report In addition TO what has Deeh pun
ushcd in Yesterdays Times:
The race-ways OF the water works are
en- fair condition. with the exception or
short section of the canal banks just west
OF the fve-mile lock. The repairs along
this section have been constant, and cost
during the year Sl.30s.45. The bank at this
point could be made perfectly secure ana
safe by an outlay of $500 and / trust
me amount will be appropriated this year
fo make the bank secure and relieve US
a. this heavy annual tax. Repairs are
also needed 10 the guard band at Bo-
gher's Dam on the south side Of the river,
and the wing walls to the dam on the
north side. ! regard these repairs as
necessary for the preservation OF the
dam. A large portion OF the canal chaA-
mel was dredged last year. at cost OF
Sl5i13s 20 the city. The same amount
was paid by the Chesapeake and OHIO
Railway Company for this improvement.
The head walls and gates are all IN good
order.
REPAIRS TO THE MACHINERY.
The damage 70 the machinery in the
two pump-houses during last winter from
the ice was not great. but entailed some
repairs. The most important improve
fneut made was the introduction OF new
style Of valve In the new pumps Inc
old brass cornish valves were worn out
and had to be renewed. The cost OF these
valves was $500. l had put in a new
cast-rOn valve and seat rubber faced,
I'm au the pumps. at a cost OF $3.50, one
great Improvement being the cheapness
in repairs TO this valve, the principal
can be replaced at a cost Of so, whereas
ne renewing Of the old valves cost 500
in each case. The efficiency Of the pumps
was greatly increased by this change
saving a speed in revolution Of about ~
rr cent New plungers and plunger-
rings were put I'm the steam pump, which
were much needed. The pumping ma
chnery at both the old and new houses
the buildings and grounds are all In very
good condition. and present better ap-
pearance than ever before.
SAVINGS FROM WATER METRES.
During the past year $50 water metres
were In use in this city, an increase OF
rinev-hve over the number Of the pre-
vious year. All the metres set during last
year have been purchased at the request
and cost o. the water talIer. and the re-
suits demonstrate clearly that the water
taker showed wisdom in making the pur-
chase and has saved water and expense.
IL s impossible TO fix a rate for water
equitable to all cases. and the only fair
way 20 charge for water is by measure
mont Among the 23s premises examined
during the year which contain metres, are
private residences, manufactures. ana
buildings embracing almost every different
kll OF charge. as fixed by ordinance
Ile water bills OF citizens belonging 10
f.e working class who introduced metres
show "a saving 10 them Of fifty per cent
and upon inquiry l have learned from
them individually that they have In no
way sunted themselves, but have used
water abundanuy I'm their family use and
also for hose sprinlSling. The total say
ing in the go cases examined shows an
average OF so per cent. There are only five
cases in the whole list showing higher
bin By metre than by ordinance rate, and
this has been caused by leaks or negligence
in leaving the fixtures running. There
have been only a few complaints. and
invariably have We been able 10 satisfy
the consumer as TO the cause. l am safe
in saying nincty-eight per cent. of those
having metres advocate their general
use one lcaky fixture for one months
bill arousos the consumer, and from that
time by his vigilance. he is rewarded
with a small bill.
TIE WASTE OF WATER.
The average daily consumption OF water
during the past year was nearly the
same as during the previous year, 13.o2l,-
80 gallons and placing the population
OF this city at $1,000, this would be
equal TO $50 gallons per capita A COM
parlsOn with Atlanta, Ga, a city Of
about tie same size as Richmond, but
with d metre 10 every tap. shows that In
the former they pumped during the past
year daily less IMAM o,V9V,VO gallons. III
1885 previous 10 the putting in Of metres.
the daily pumpage at Atlanta, with 1900
taps was nearly 100000 gallons. double
what IL was in 1892. with 1900 taps. The
reports from Atlanta show that all resi-
dents In that city are abundanty sup
Piled with an average Of 81 gallons per
day and per capita, while we are suffer
lng in this city for want Of pressure and
Witha consumption OF $50 gallons per head.
do not know how 10 make the illustra-
ton more forcible than as stated. We
are wasting over 100000 gallons of
water each day. Of no use or benefit 10
amy one. but subjecting our citizens 10
the cost Of furnishing IL. / am fully
aware that metres are not the panacea
Tor every thing. but they would meet our
felmrements for some time TO come.
Whenever the Lee district which has |
recently been taken into the corporate |
limits. begins 10 build up we will have |
10 provide other means for giving this \
section water. most probably by the |
erection Of water tower near the new |
reservoir. because the surface OF the |
water in the new reservoir Is only a few |
feet higher than the general elevation |
OF the land in this district.
HOW TO BEMfDY THK Evil
Aly experience has taught me that bonso
iuepfrfiDu