The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-15

per day. II the pumps are operated to
the extent OF the capacity the pumping
record win show s3oooa.0ss gallons OF water
used during the month. II the present
rate IS maintained until June his figure
will be very nearly reached. The highest
monthly consumption last year was AZ
proximateiy 2sSMo.ooo gallons.
r H Thomson. city engineer end pres
.dent OF the board OF public works, Is
greatly interested in the problem OF keep
ing the consumption OF water in Seattle
within fair and reasonable limit He
does not believe that the present per
capita consumption. as shown by the
pumping records. comes within this de-
scription. AT present the pumping ca
pacity Of the plant is used almost to tho
full limit" said Mr.. Thomson yesterday.
This leaves us very little room FOR an
emergency. / have examined the pump
ing records since the first CT the month";
and am amazed at the showing made.
/ am satisfied that there IS great waste
OF water. Some people are evidently a6us-
ing their privileges. Seattie's water con-
sumption is higher than any city on the
Coast. 1t is beyond a reasonable figure,
and prompt measures should be taken TO
curtail it
These interviews give the temper OF
the authorities. At present private Con-
sGmers are allowed water for irris stion
purposes four hours during The day. The
department will probably recommend 10
the city council a reduction in the hours
for sprinkling from four to two per day.
IL is likely thar consumers who have
hose connections will be allowed TO uss
them for an hour in the morning and Tor
the same period in the evening.
OF course II is TO be expected that some
people will not observe the regulations.
The man who finds his water cut off sud
denly some morning VIII know that some
one has allowed his lawn hose TO throw
water longer than the time specified in
the regulations of the water department.
1t Is a common thing for consumers to
tell the department officials that In their
case IL was an aceident-.hat while the
family was at dinner the baby got cut
on the lawn and started the hose The
consumer who has just come 10 town and
who is caught using his sprinkler in the
middle OF the daS. against the regulations,
Is frequent visitor at the city hall. And
the citizen who stays out ali night. leav-
ing his hose sending showers Of gsistening
spray over the rose bushes and lawn until
ii is shut off In the early hours of the
morn by some prowling inspector. is not
uncommon by any means.
II cost 81 TO gain experience with the
water department rules in the matter OF
the use OF hose. Once the inspector finds
water at the street, and then card Is left
at the kitchen door politely requesting you
to call at the water department, city hail,
and pay for your experience.
Wide open hose connections are not per-
mitted. Every man who uses water on
his lawn Is expected to have a properly
arranged nozzle at the end thereof, or
suffer penalty Of 81. AS the bright brass
nozzle is something that children like TO
play with. safe course would probably
be to wire it on to the rubber end of your
garden sprinkler.
Nine inspectors will patrol the city, be-
ginning Monday. They will be divided
into day and night squads. Leaky connec-
tons will be risidly hunted out. and the
parties at fault will be promptly notified
to remedy the difficulty. Especial atten-
ton will be paid to owners OF big lawns
who imagine that the water supply is an
inextinguishable fountain, as we'll as those
who allow their hose to play through the
long watches OF the night. The city is
determined to stop what is believed to be-
a big waste Of water.