The morning call., 1894-07-25
CHEAPER WATER.
John Daggett Makes the
City an Offer.
MILLIONS MAY BE SAVED.
A Supply From the Sierras at
Reduced Rates.
1T IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.
Supervisors Discuss the Question of
Issuing Bonds for the City's
Own Water System.

A communication from John Daggett,
superin tendent of the San Francisco Mint.
was presented yesterday 10 the Water
Committee of the Board OF Supervisors
with an offer to supply the city with pure
fresh water from the Sierras for Is per
cent of the present water rate.
The proposition is quite exhaustive with
engineers reports and diagrams. showing
so URGE of supply, reservoirs. pipe lines and
various levels and pressures. For S13-
225, O00 it is estimated by the engineer who
prepared the plans for this proposed ex-
tensiYe system of water works, that a
bouDtiful supply Of Sierra water can be
piped 10 San Francisco from the Mount
Gregory Water and Mining Company's
system on the American River. A flow
of &C, O0C, 900 gallons can be supplied daily
to houses for % per cent less than people
pay to the Spring Valley Company for
water which is not so pure or deslra bic for
domestic uses.
AS written by Mr. Daggett, the PROPOSE
ton is as follows: Il will bring to this
city and deliver the waters of the system
as detailed by the reports herewith handed
to your honorable body. and in accordance
with the plans and specifications therein
contained, for the sum Of SIS. 225, 600. to be
paid as hereinafter agreed. Or | Will agree
to bring to this city 100000 gallons per
diem of pure, fresh water, which will be
delivered 10 this city and the nhabitants
thereof tor 10 per cent of the present water
rate, as heretofore fixed by your honorable
board, said rate TO continue for thirty
yesrs, after which time the rates shall be
fixed according 10 the laws then In force
governing such cases"
The great portion of the water would
come from melted snow that runs down
the high Sierras in streams. 1t Is to be
taken from the south and middle forks of
the American River, where as much as
%, 100000 gallons flow daily In the latter
part of August. When taken up In pipes
at that point the plan is to convey 1t to
Rocklin, Sacramento, Davisville, Suisun,
Bencia, Vallejo; thence by a syphon pipe
across the CarquineZ Straits 10 Martinez,
Port Costa. Oakland and under the bay to
San Francisco. All towns on the line will
be supplied from the mains.
Supervisor Denman said he favored sub
m ting to the people of the city pointed
question at the next elections. as follows:
Are you willing 10 issue bonds-to mort
gage the city-to the extent of SIS. 00N, eco
for the purchase or building OF water
works ?"
This he thought was similar 10 the refer
endum regarding Chinese immigration
which went TO the people few years ago.
If people voted for issuing bonds for
water works then the city might legally
secure the loan and buy or build its own
water system.
After some discussion il was decided to
hold a special meeting of the committee
on Friday for consideration OF the Ques-
ton and all the Supervisors will be pres
ent.
J. Fitzgerald caIle attention to pollution
of water in tract Of 400 acres between
San Andreas and Pilarcitos lakes by cattle
OF a dairy ranch. SPepage from cow filth
was found in the main creek feeding Crys-
tai Springs reservoir.
Herman Schussler, engineer OF the
water company, stated that this stream
flowed only 1000 gallons daily which were
lost in the great reservoir His CON-
paDy had endeavored to purchase the
trsr: complained Of. but so far failed 10
make a case against the owner.