Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-01
WATeR.MeTERs ARE NEEDED.
Unless They Are Adopted the Pumping Ca
pacity Iust BE Increased.

Mr.. Charles Z. Boiling. the efficient Su-
perintendent OF the City Water Works.
makes this EXHIBIT tor his department
The Water Works Of the city Of Rich
mond are in good condition. Tho banks
of the canal &C several points need some
repairs, which will not be costly. The
pumping machinery has been kept IN
good condition. new valves have been put
in all the pumps at the New Pump-House
briefly. the pumping machinery as whole
IL N first class order. The consumption
Of water IS still very great, and IN times of
yery cold weather the daily consumption
or waste ~ doubled. ss was demonstrated
last winter when We had nearly Blk weeks
of freezing weather. Our Lnalh pumping
machinery Is run by water-power and It's
Efficiency IN times Of iceis greatly reduced.
ibis was clearly shown last winter, when
our city was brought close 20 water
famine. Al one time there was not
over fifteen hours supply Of wa
ter in the reservoir. During the cold
spell the waste Of water vas enormous.
This continued for days, until the reser-
voirs were nearly emptied there was not
over fifteen hours supply on hand, and
Richmond was on tho verge OF water
famine and stood IN danger trom fire de-
struction. Our pumping capacity should
ut least he three times as great as the daily
consumption, in order that we may be
prepared for all emergencies.
SHOULD HAVE METERS.
The experience OF many other cities
using water-meters. and our own. teaches
that the general introduction Of the water
meter would greatly correct the serious
evil Of useless waste and save the city Tor
some time expensive additions 10 her
pumps and mans. But there seems 20
prospect tot their general use, and If me-
ters are not applied at en- early date 1t IS
absolutely necessary that We should
increase our pumps aud lay larger
mains for water supply, as a num-
Der Of our citizens are subjected
to great Inconvenience and annoyance
for want % pressure on their promises.
Thus far we have $50 meters in use, and
they are giving perfect satisfaction TO the
water takers. and are a saving TO the city
in the quantity OF water consumed. the
time has come when something must be
done. No additions have been made to
the pumps SINCE 1882, and the number OF
taps OF supplies has been doubled since
September, 1883.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
The present indebtedness of the city
for water-works construction Is very
small (lt will not exceed 500 O00l
and the department yields q good
revenue, and these necessary improve
ments should be made without stint.
The revenue for this year will be ssl44. GOO
and this does not include the cost value OF
water used by the city and given To chart
table institutions, which would be wort
at least 1884, The amount appropriated
10 the department was S5g.Sli.25. which
was expended in maintenance OF pipe-ex-
tension. house-supplies, tire.hydrants, 30.
Eleven thousand Ave hundred and twenty
nine lineal feet OF water-malns were laid
during the year and no taps made. All
the nozzles OF the freely drants in the CITY
were increased in size SO as 10 AFFORD a
larger quantity Of water for fire purposes.
This involved the changing OF 6iS nv
Grants. The department, a. whole, il Ia
frst-rate condition.