The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
WESTMINSTER WATER WORKS

WESTM1NSTEh w n ps@~ "
Reservoir With a Vast Storage
Capacity--The Works, Hydrants,
Distributing Mains and Pipes
Maintained in the Highest State OF
Ehiciency--A Strong Corporation.
1t is seldom the people consider how &C
tive part plentiful supply of pure water
ulays in the upbuilding of city, for while
every other feature of the community may
be seemingly perfect, its streets well built
and well kept, its architectural beauty
unsurpassed and its business indeed on
solid financial basis; all these amount to
nothing unless they are supplemented by
an abundant supply of the purest water
conveyed into every block.
Nothing is so conducive to health as
plenty of water for domestic and sanitary
purposes, and the head of each family ex-
amines the essentials before locating In any
place, be the climate ever so healthy or
other inducements ever 50 great. Again
it is an absolute necessity for prevention
and protection from fire, because capital
lists are timid about investing their money
in property or business until they know
that they are afforded all safeguards pos
sible against this terrible scourge. The
memory of the public is short, and Of late
years it has become the fad to rail at cor
porations summarizing their faults and
defective qualities, and the revenue they
are making, forgetful of the fact that it
was these same corporations who bore the
brunt of battle in the days when only a
necessity for the present advanced systems
existed and that they sank their capital
while assuming risks of any financial re-
turns in the future.
Realizing with the keenneSs of superior
business intellects, if not the enterprise
born of this progressive age, the actual
need of perfect and fall water supply,
the gentlemen who compose the above solid
corporation set about 20 meet the demand
created by modern civilization, and in May,
1888, fifteen years ago. the Westminster
Water Company was founded; Col. VIM.
W. Taylor an acco mplished civil engineer
having then been secured to construct the
works. Under tn ) general Incorporation
Laws of Maryland, the company was duly
Incorporated May IS, 1888.
From the present officials of this great
enterprise it is learned that the water in
use is mainly obtained from several ada
cent springs, about mile southeast OF
Westminster; these springs being gathered
into pool by terra Gotta piping and pump
ed thence into a reservoir on a high hill
east of the city, whence it is by its own
gravity distributed over town. In 1896
this water supply was still further aug
mented by the acquisition of six artesian
wells sunk at an immense depth, from
which the "aqueous fluid clear as crys-
tai, has since been emitted to swell the
volume of water in the reservoir. Both
at pool and reservoir screens are used con-
stantly, and thus the water is always
pure-much purer, no doubt, than that i'm
bibed by the inhabitants of certain cities
larger than Westminster.
The capacity of the reservoir is l., 200, =
600 gallons, it being $50 feet in diameter
and II feet deep. 1t is rip raped and
puddled," covered on bottom and sides
with Portland cement, combined with finely
broken stone, and consequently the water
remains limpid, sparkling and pure. Its
elevation is about $50 feet above the low
est point in town.
As regards the distribution of the water,
there is on elaborate system of mains, the
principal of which are Of cast iron, which
during 1891 and 1892 were sunk below
the probable frost line These mains cover
some five miles in length, and the ''ser-
vice pipes themselves are Of galvanized
iron. Nor is the pumping machinery less
attractive; for Worthington pump with
daily capacity of 500, 600 gallons, and a
recently introduced Blake pump of the
same capacity, (each with separate boil
ers), constitute the pumping machinery.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the
whole plant, however. is the simple fact,
that the flow of the water can be made 50
strong at all times, that no artificial mode Of
propulsion is requisite, in case of fire, to
send it swiftly over our highest houses,
which accounts for the inactivity of fire
engine at Westminster. There is little
or no need of it while the water runs Sc
fast through our Al fire plugs from the
mains. The company has some rigid regu-
latiOns for the guidance of water CONSUMES,
which of course include every housekeepel
81 II,
that during all alarms of fire and while the
fire pressure is on the pipes, the use OF
fountains, yard and street sprinklers must
cease. Whoever violates this rule forfeits
all right to use the water, and it is IA rule
rigidly enforced. The water rents are paid
yearly in advance on or before May | al
the Office Of the secretary and treasurer,
Mr.. A. III. Huber, or to the collector.
The meter rates are as follows: For 5000
gallons Or less per month at the rate of 30
cents per 1000, the first month, gradually
decreasing to 20 cents per 1000 gallons
the fifth month; for 25, 900 gallons Or less
per month, at the rate of Is cents pei
1000 the first month, decreasing ditto; fol
10000 gallons 16 cents per 1000; feet fol
100, gallons from Is to II cents pei
1000 used, and for 500, 900 or upwards
monthly only 10 cents per 1000 gallons.
Thus it appears that the greater the guam
tity used every month, the less is the cost
pro rata to the consumer. The water by
meter measurement is payable monthly, and
in those buildings where meters have been
placed deposit of ten dollars is required
of the consumer; this deposit to be refund
ed upon the termination of the privilege
by the consumer and payment of all ar
rearages.
Its officers embrace George w. AL
baugh, president; Samuel Roop, vice-presi-