The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-11


OF cost. The contractor, in his presence
had agreed To build the plant and turn
filtered wator into the city at the cost
stipulated and would do this before ht
asked the city a cent. lie thought
that was fair statement, back
ed up by bonds. lie saw
no necessity OF going 10 London after
authorities. There were just as capable
and experienced engineers nearer home.
He believed that II the Council voted It's
honest conviction and voted for the
gravity system within Is months
the citizens would be provid-
ed with almost absolutely clear
water and with no appreciable tax
upon the citizens of this city. Mr..
Vaughan directed attention to Professor
Franklin's treatise on filtration, with
special reference TO the ineficiency of the
Hamburg and Altoona systems. He spoke
OF the cholera outbreak during the winter
season in Altoona, when one OF the sand
filter beds was frozen and the bacteria
germs spread the disease. He gave sta
tistics to show the cost OF sand filtra-
tion plants abroad per acre,
and said that the city should have the
best system obtainable, inasmuch as
IL had the best system OF water works In
the country. lie directed attention TO
the establishment of the settling basin by
the old water board twenty years ago to
show that at the very inception of the in
PRODUCTION of the water system in this
city the Board recognized the value and
utility OF the storage system.
On motion OF Mr.. Mccarthy, City
Engineer Shedd was invited to answer
any questions that the members might
wish 10 ask.
Mr.. McCarthy-Wh would be the
total cost of natural filter bed according
to the plans and specifications already
submitted to responsible contractor?
Mr.. Shedd-ln answering that question
II Is only fair for me TO say that in king
my plans for filter bed have arranged
for the very best natural system possible.
The estimated cost was s20S,000. The
proposition by Everson & Liddle was to
do the whole work for 100000 or less.
There is no arrangement for the covering
of the filter bed. The first need for cover
Is for the reservoir.
1t has been intimated to me that the
objection to natural filter is in order
to get slap at me on the supposition that
am personally interested in that system
hope that you will accept my assurance
that my sole interest in this whole matter
Is that OF citizen OF Providence.
President Sellew-Was not the land pro-
posed for natural filter bed originally
purchased for that purpose?
ut was. The land was secured With the
intention OF holding it until such time as
II should be deemed advisable To add
filter plant to the equipment of the city's
Water works system"
Mr.. j. IL. Kendrick, said that il was a
very important matter. 1t should be
thoroughly discussed and digested. He
believed from Mr.. Shedd's statements
that the best results could not be obtained
from the utilization of 81 acres and a
depth OF only three feet of sand in
the beds, when the London filter beds.
which are standard, have even a greater
depth OF sand tnan that which he pro-
poses for the plant here.
III the bacteria Is TO be disposed OF the
Council cannot be too careful. What he
objected to is permitting boy to do a
mans work. The city had suffered from
such experiments. The results of the
pumping engines at Pettaconsett were
that upward of s1,OO0,000 were sunk into
the sand. He thought that too
much personality was injected into this
question. He cared not who represented
the systems. The best results must be OBJ
tanned. He instanced the condition of
Fruit Hill reservoir, for which Mr.. Shedd
was understood to be responsible. 1t was
rightly named. 1t had been fruitful of
expense. He gave the history of the waste
OF money in attempting to stop the holes.
A responsible party offered to stop the
leakage for $4,000, but some $4,000 has
been expended, and it still leaks to the
extent of $4,000 to $4,000 per annum.
lie believed 1t would be delusion and a
snare to use the system as explained by
Mr.. Shedd, and a costly experiment.
Mr.. Vose moved that the papers be laid
on the table, and the motion prevailed.
Needed Public Work.
Several communications were received
from the commissioner of public works
relative to matters asked about at the
previous meeting OF the Common Council.
In reply to the question, what work on
sewers and highways which is not now
in progress Is desirable? the com.
missioner says thst 10 il desir-
able TO construct main interceptinp
sewer in South Water street from Market
square 70 India point, thence under the
river TO connect with the main in Aliens
avenue, there giving much needed relief
TO the estates on Canal street and slso To
c'nstruct a main trunk sewer in india
street, the money for the work TO come
from the appropriation for the improved
sewerage account.
Fruit Hlil Reservoir.
In regard to the condition of Rruit tril
reservoir the commissioner Communicated
TO the Council letter from City Engineer
Shedd stating that the reservoir was in
constant use for the high service, that no
repairs were necessary and that the
reservoir is in a safe condition, although
At leaks some now, as it always
has and probably always will, not
because of any fault in the
but az the result OF its un-
fortunate location.