Rock Island Argus., 1895-05-15
THE WATERWORKS
Expansion and Expense Of the
Wet Goods Department.
THE REVIEW OF A YEAR

Superintendent Murrin Outlines What Has
Been Accomplished at the Supply St.
tion-The Intake Pipe an Important Im-
provemenr-Recommen
The annual report of Superintend-
ent Murrin setting forth what has
been accomplished by the water
works department and recommend-
ing what is most needful that the
community may be more generally
supplied with water supply, is
an exhaustive document, fully and
clearly explaining every detail. The
most important work done in this
department during the year has been
the laying of the intake pipe. the
contract for which was let to the
Edwards & Walsh Construction COM
pany for s11.175 Aug. 10. 1t will be
remembered that this improvement
was inaugurated as a fortiication
against low water, and was ordered
by the administration during the
prevalence of what might almost be
termed a water famine, the present
supply pipe being stationed at such
a height, and the river being
SO low, that it was impossi-
BILE to provide for the con-
sumers. at several intervals it was
necessary to call upon our sister city
Moline to join hands in the work of
supplying consumers. Should a fire
of unusual ugliness have broken
out it would undoubtedly have
meant devastation, and therefore to
insure protection against the flames
and furnish the consumers increas-
ing supply the improvement was wise
ly ordered. although at a large ex-
pense. The work was completed
Oct. Is. The bottom of the pipe at
the rivers channel is four feet below
low water mark, and enters the new
well five feet below the low mark
The length Of the pipe from the
pumping station to the channel is
2,030 feet. 1.-The 20-inch pipe (mean-
ing the old one)' says Supt. Murrin.
..is now in better condition than ever
before. which insures the city good
supply of water for all time, as the
30-inch pipe will deliver 100000
and the 20-inch 2,5OO,O gallons of
water every "a hours, when the
river is at low water mark"
The Stand Pipe.
Another invaluable Improvement
inaugurated and all but completed
under the present year of Superin-
tendent Murrin's administration was
the construction of a stand pipe at
the head of Thirtieth street TO sup
ply water to the bluff residents. The
large tank. which is being built by
the Chicago Bridge and Iron COM
pany. will have capacity of
100000 gallons. Arrangements
have been made to place a
pump in Huber's brewery on Thir-
tieth street to connect with the city
mains at that point and supply the
stand pipe.
Consumption.
The amount of water consumed in
q year cannot be fully realized until
figured in it's entirety, the volume
of which can be imagined when it is
claimed that about 100000 gal
Ions are used daily. Two hundred
additional consumers have been re-
ceiving during the year, which nec-
essarilv occasioned considerable
outlay by the city, 1l,073 feet OF
mains having been distributed
among the various streets and ave-
nues. where water was the most
needful, and where consumers in
numbers sufficient to warrant the
city a profitable revenue on the out.
lay were guaranteed. Speaking on
the matter of waterworks extension,
Mr.. Murrin advances this wise sug-
gestion: There are several peti.
tions on file at present asking that
mains be extended so that the peti.
TONERS can be supplied with water
Some of them ought to be favorably
considered, as the revenue will real
ize good interest on the money ex-
pended. Iwould recommend that a
6-inch main he laid on Seventh ave
nue. from Thirty-eighth to Forty.
second street that would connect
with the 6-inch main at that point
and give better pressure in EdgewooC
park; also that main be laid OF
Ninth avenue from Twentieth Il
Twenty-second street to furnish bot
ter pressure in Barth Il Babcock'.
addition. There ought to be a pip,
laid Immediately on Twenty-secon,
street south of Ninth avenue, wher,
there are 10 houses attached to an,
depending on getting their suppl,
from the 1-inch pipe which supple
the pasture of the Davenport estate
and which certainly does not insur
the desired amount"
Enlargement of the filter plan
is also recommended. The guar
anteed capacity Of the filters