The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-02
sHOWING COON RESULTS.
Large Reduction in the Waste OF Water
Obtained BY the Introduction of Metres


For several years the question of the
ACCESSIBILITY of introducing water metres
in a general way in this city has been
agitated pro and con, and from time to
time the subject has been brought up in
the City Council and debated at some
length. without. however. altering the sit
uatlOn TO any extent. The problem has
been severely attacked in certain quar-
ters, and for reasons best known to the
parties who objected 10 the innovation.
Nevertheless, the number of those who
decided to purchase metres in order to
reduce their water bills has been steadily
on the Increase, and in nearly every i'll
stance the introduction OF metres has
given complete satisfaction.
Mr.. Charles j.. Boiling, the Superin-
tendent of the City Water Works, when
as TO the progress made in the intro
duction of metres and the results
achieved, made the following statement:
The number OF water metres intro
duced in this city was Increased by $50
during the year 1894, the greater number
OF them being put IN during the fall
months. They were purchased at the eX-
pense of the water takers, but put in the
various houses at the request of the oc-
tABdllo anu hllAbAL any AuA NHtA No1A
TO them. out Of a total number of about
GOO water bills sent out on January lst
10 houses where metres are in use, only
ten water takers made complaints on ac-
count OF the size of their bills. In every
instance the premises or the complainants
were carefully examined, and the cause OF
the high bill could at once be traced TO
either wasting or leaking fixtures or
pipes
1T is often the case when metres are
first set that months bill viii discover
leaks in the fixtures, and when promptly
and properly remedied the benefit is at
once received by the water takers in the
shape OF decided reduction IN their
bills "
In regard to the circumstances which
brought about the issuing Of a card in
the daily papers about two weeks ago
aud wherein Mr.. J. G. Smith, the author
OF II. advised against the adopting Of the
metre system, Mr.. Boiling made the fol-
lowing explanation:
Mr.. Smith voluntarily purchased two
metres and had them set by the employees
OF the Water Department at No. 9l2 east
Main street. The first months return OF
the metres showed large bill, amount
ing to 81 for November. Mr.. Smith at
once applied TO the Committee on Water
asking that the metres be taken out i'm
mediately. The committee suggested a
further trial of the metres, and, having
ascertained that water had been wasted
on the premises without the knowledge OF
Mr. Smith, they did not enforce the metre
bill for that month, but allowed him to
pay at ordinance rates.
Careful Investigations and tests of the
metres were subsequently made. and they
were examined on four different occasions
The metres were found 10 be perfectly
accurate, but on each occasion one or
two fixtures were found running and
wasting at such rate that it was plain
ly evident that only the waste OF water
brought about the excessive size OF the
bill. Some little care, however, must have
been exercised during the month OF De-
cember, for the bill for that month had
been reduced 10 Sl472 The condition or
these fixtures was brought 10 the atten-
ton OF Mr.. Smith, and he was advised
TO have them overhauled, so that this
cause Of trouble might be done away
with for the future.
''Mr. Smith, however, not needing the
advice given him. failed to have the evil
rsmeded. and instead applied TO the
Committee on Water once more TO have
the metres taken out. With the facts
in the case before them. and taking in
consideration that MIR Smith. OF his
ONH Iltt Ni4ii ~ H4NHdSiIl7 N''N -
had changed from the ordinance 10 the
metre method the committee declined 10
comply with his request.
There is not doubt in my mind that
IL the fixtures are put into proper con-
dition Mr.. Smiths water bill will,llke that
OF every other water taker who had a
similar experience, be less than under
the ordinance method As may be seen
from the statement made by me lit
tie while ago, the number OF complaints
as to the results achieved by the intro
duction of water metres is very small.
There are at present about so water
metres in use In this city. and more than
30 per cent. Of those who have metres