The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-07-03
WATER WORKS TESTED
The Much Talked Of Work Accom-
plished Yesterday,
APPARENTLY SATISFACTORY
A Break on West Coal Street Reduced
the Pressure, But the Accident
is Not Considered Very
Serious.
APPARENTLY SATISFACTORY

The frequently postponed and mu CHI
talked-of official test of the public water
works was made yesterday and, while the
result was not wholly up to the standard
expected, it is believed that the plant will
be formally accepted by the Borough
Council.
The test fell short of expectations by
reason of a break at the West Coal street
end Of the pipe, which caused a big re-
duction in the pressure, but the break can
be easily repaired at small cost.
A hydraulic test was waived by the
borough officials after it was satisfactorily
demonstrated by the contractors that such
a test would entail a lengthy delay and a
big expense. 1t would nave required
special machinery and the contractors
maintained that the cost would fall upon
the borough. They maintained that the
pressure from the reservoir was sufficient
to give the pipes all the test required and
guages were used.
Contractors NJ. p. Quinn and William
McAdam arrived here from Pottsville
shortly before noon yesterday and were
Joined by Councilmen A. d. Gable, James
Kane, William Mcclure and Michael
Superintendent Oscar Betteridge, ex-Coun-
Gilman E. +. Gallagher and Robert Nc
Adam. They formed the testing party and
were at work until a late hour in the
afternoon. All the pressure that could be
procured from the reservoir was put on the
pipes, and the contractors say that is all
the Council could expect.
Arr angements had been made for the
event by five openings made in different
parts of the town so that the distributed
pressure could be shown. The gauge placed
at the end of East Centre street showed a
pressure of $50 pounds to the square inch;
at the corner of limerick street and Apple
alley 122 pounds; at the corner of West
Centre street and Vine street 165, and at
Turkey Run &c.
The fifth hole was at the west end of
Coal street, and it was at this point that
the accident occurred. There is a blow
off " located there so hat the pipes can be
cleaned and the water runs into the creek
pressure was put on yesterday the tail pipe
of the "blow-off, " which is located under
the bridge, was blown off and that pre-
vented the committee from completing the
test at that point. Ii is said that this
break caused the reduction of pressure at
limerick street to 100 pounds.
The contractors have agree to allow the
water to remain in the pipes until Council
decides upon the result of the test. This
is important, as the water will have ample
time to make its way to the surface of the
streets in case any of the pipes nave been
caused 20 leak by the test,
With the repairs to the West Coal street
end the plant will bs ready for connections,
providing Council decides that the test was
a satisfactory one.
The contractors claim that the 300-pound
test provided for by the contracts applied
to a test of the pipes before they left the
place of manufacture and that every length
of pipe has been subjected to that test.
On Friday superintendent Betteridge
will probably make three taps at Turkey
Run, to give the people of hat place a
much-needed supply of water. At present
they are obliged to pay twenty-five cents
to a private company for each wash boiler
full, or have it hauled from Maple Hill.
The three taps will be made on private
properties, one at each enc of the patch
and one in the centre. The owners of the
premises upon which the taps are placed
will be held responsible for them and will
collect the charges from his neighbors until
the Borough Council takes formal posses
sion Of the works and has time to make
permanent arrangements for their opera
ton. The Turkey Run people have cheer
fully acceded to the conditions, as they are
only too glad to get the supply.