The morning times., 1896-06-27
MUST BUY WATER Meters
Business Men Affected by the
Order Given Notice.
ORDER OPERATIVE JULY /
Commissioners Announce That They
VIII Rtgidly Enforce the Regula-
tion-Violattons Punishable by Fine
or Iniprisonment-Cost of Meters
Varies From $40 to $500.

water Consumers OF the District who re
required to introduce meters to register
The consumption have but few days more
In which to comply with the order Of the
commissioners requiring their Use, which
takes effect July /.
Notices to all who come within the pro-
visions OF the law were sent out several
months ago, the substance OF which was
lnat each party was required to ..set q
"eter on each service pipe supplying Poto-
mac water to his premises before July 1.
and that after that date no water will be
supplied the establishment except by meter
measureme ns
Ihe admontiou was added that every
person affected should promptly comply, as
the law will be strictly applied.
Inc law provides 1.-The supply OF water
To all manufacturing establishments, ho-
teis. livery stables, and other places re-
curing a large quantity shall be deter
mined by meters erected and maintained at
the expense Of the consumer, and the
proper authorities shall charge and collect
Tor the quantity SO determined "a price not
exceeding = cents per hundred gallons"
LAW NOT NEW.
It's not a new law, but has never been
rigidly enforced. Indeed. IL may be said
that It has never been enforced at all, but
when Commissioner Powell was inquired
CT yesterday as to the intention If the board
TO see that their order is complied with he
Indicated that steps to that end will be
taken.
'The law is mandatory" he said. How
can We avoid enforcing it?"
Opinions vary as to the difference in cost
OF the product when measured by meters as
compared with the present method, but it
Saa to I'M ba 80 ba
ers that the effect Of the law will be two
fold. They believe that the consumer will
be really benefited by u positive reduc-
tionin the water bills, and that proprietors
or establishments knowing that any waste
there may be will be added t. the expense,
will cause their employees to be more care
A regulation approved April 8, 1892, is
very severe upon those who may he con-
victed OF employing any device whatever
to cause the water to pass into their prem
ises by any other channel than through the
meters. The penalty for such an uffcnse,
and for brea king the meter or it's seal,
or changing the reading OF the dial for the
purpose Of defrauding the District, is i'm
prisonmeDt for not exceeding six months,
or a fine not exceeding $3.50.
THE DATE PoSTP ONED.
The intention Of the Commissioners was
TO put the law into operation last October
but owing To unforeseen obstacles the
time was changed to July of this year,
and the regulations promulgated for the
October date are now applied, with but
few changes, TO the new order.
The meters must be OF MA ke approved
by the Engineer Commissioner. and tefore
beng placed shall be sent 10 The U street
pumping station TO be tested. The cost
varies according 10 the capacity Of the
meter required, ranging from $40, the low
est, to as much as $500.
All of the larger establishments supplied
with Potomac water are required to pro-
cure meters. TLis includes steam ra ilway