The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-24

present Beacon hsEs site. TEe character
81 The ground and tie narrowxess Of the
ridge NJ that poEnr wyuid render IL Ssaeh
un~sss and unsafe 70 establish = ressg-
volr of large capacity. Il - altogether
within the limits AZ probability that Inc
corsocr OF this hill dgstrsc. win be rad
tcaiiy changed IN the fusnre ny an ex-
sarziye removal o. earth 70 the valley
20 the eastward and To the tide fat dis
trtess 70 the westward. Sueh a plan has
already been tn contemplated BY OWL
ers Of large interests in that yicaniy- a
good ste for a Iex service reservoir Of
large capacity might be found In the val
ley east OF Broadway and north Of Marii-
son street. IN the property Of the Ssgie
estate. This location Is OF the required
elevation. ard It is probable that sufii-
csent land for the purpose eoc.d be pur-
chased al q reasonable figure. Il Is
probable. however. that the Best and most
ayall4tsie site for a permanent 10. ser
vice reservoir of large capacity. az part
81 the gravity system. is 10 be found In
the school section JUST south OF and ad-
joining the city. TIE ridge At this point
about one and one-haR miles south OF
ghe present Beacon hin site. while pr-ac-
ideally the same or little higher in ele-
walton. brcsaens 20 a plateau OF con-
efaerabEe width ard hss gradual slopes,
differing In that respect from Beacon
hsfI, which Is on the summit Of blur.
The located route for the pressure con-
auit from Swan lake passes directly
through fhe school section. a tract OF
about forty acres covering the highest
ground in the section. bordering aieng the
pipe line from Swan lake could without
doubt be secured from the state upon
favorable terms. This would. in my
Judgment be- the ideal site for such
reservoir: large enough to provide ca
paeity sufficient 10 supply the demands
for several days in the event OF break
age and necessary repairs to the pipe
frGn Swan lake: Is south of all possible
changes or excavations upon or through
the ridge for canal or other purposes;
is free from danger OF pollution of SIR
rounding settled districts. and could be
made TO the south portion OF the city
what the city park Is to the north por-
tion an attractive reservoir park.
Present Cost of Gravity system.
THE revision OF the estimates of
Baaezeste Williams on a basis OF pres
ent prices for labor and materials would
place the cost OF the Cedar river gravity
system complete with high service reser-
voirs OF l0eo.eoa gallons capacity in City
park, ard low service reservoir of 2n,ooo.-
90 gallons capacity in the South school
section, all connected to the existing Gig
tributing system. at sl.15oeo.
Allowing that the necessary water
rights and dam site on Cedar river.
Fights-of-way between Cedar river and
Swan lake, land around Swan lake.
rlghts-of-way from Swan lake TO she city
and tho required low service reservoir
site In the school section, can be e.
cured for less than sloo.Ooo We can esti-
mate the total cost to the city of the
gravity system complete at si,25o.eoo.
Allowing for the reduction OF water
rates and the same number OF consumers
as in 1894. receipts of the system for 1885
cannot fail short of siiso0o, and will
probably be largely In excess OF .aat
gam. The cost of operation Of thu
gravity system, as indicated by the ex-
pense accounts for 1884, making fun al
lo@ance for keeping up a pumping ser
vice for the Queen Anne hlgh-seryiee
and for small district above the level
Of efficient service from the City park
reservoir. would he sle.500 per annGm.
This estimate OF expenses provides also
for the maintenance OF a pumping re-
serve at the present Laks Washington
station for emergency purposes, in case
OF accident 10 the pipe line from Swan
lake.
The net cost OF the water system 10
date is represented by a bonded debt OF
81 o5o.0oo, drawing 5 per cent. per annum.
4 sum now aggregating with interest
about $4,000 was diverted from the water
fund and expended for the fire boat in
1880. The present debt of the water
system proper is therefore s9so,eoo II
the gravity system We're constructed at
the estimate herein made this debt would
he increased TO s., a40,Goo the interest upon
which at per cent. would amount to
sii2Jgo per annum. Add 10 this TIE
expense account OF sl6.5oo per annum
ana we have a net cost of SIS 800 per
aanum. Receipts on the present low
basis OF $4,000 per annum. there would
he available balance of si7 800 per annum
for use In extension OF the distribution
system as required. 1t should be noted
in this connection that the estimate of
receipts is based upon the limited and
reduced consumption of hard times
year and will tn all human probability
he doubled in the next Ave years. Il the
supply be sufficient. while on the ether
hand, the annual expense account would
be bur slightly Increased with double
demand aud Tec&ipts- 1t must be re-
meInhcrei also that if We do not soon
get "a gravity system basis the Interest
upon necessary Investments for new
pumping machinery and the Increased
expense of pump maintenance Will great
iy aggravate the present dispropor,ion Of
expenses 10 receipts. which is inevitable
with any pumping system.
Prompt Action l. Needed.
THE gravity system Is economical for
The present. Indispensable for abe future.
I have nade this showing somewhat i'm
| detail at this time fer the reason thar s.
seems 20 roe imperative that some ifnms-
| d3ate steps b. taken 20 secure fo@ a. city
| the ownership Of the controlling features
| Of The plan. II shis is neglected. 81 is in
| ey5taels that private parties should par
| chase and develop that which the c4ty
/ AaS failed TO acquire.
| The municipal water system has al.
| ready proved tho wisdom % she invest
| ment. both from the popular and rnunics-
! pal StantGsosnts. ard yet therSts inaiinea;
/ danger shaz Within the next ten years oug
| cs.y may es fhe y'ossessor ,of a nliil0u~ao3,
! lar water system without a SUPPLY. for a
| contaminated SUPPLY Is Equivalent n
mono. TIE monopoly enjoyed by Mater