The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-01
WASTE OF WATER.
What Well Known Authority Says
on the Subject.


Very few people realize the enormous
waste of water by the average family,
and fewer still think they are guilty of
wilful waste. Some startling figures in
connection with this matter have been
prepared by Mr.. John c. Trautwine, jr.,
chief bureau of water of Philadelphia.
Mr.. Trautwine is a recognized authority
in waterwOrks matters. Here are a few
extracts from a paper recently read by
him before the Engineers club of Phila-
delphia upon Popular Errors About
Water Meters:
.sThe waterworks of Philadelphia are
pumping more than twice as much
water as would furnish to all its people
a lavishly bountiful supply at good
pressures; yet from all sides come well
Founded complaints of beggarIy supply
and low pressure. The bureau of water
appeals in vain, year after year, for mill
Hons of dollars for new pumps and new
mains, and private companies improve
the opportunity by suggesting the ex-
penditure of many more millions for
prodigious facilities which the city does
not need.
The reason is not far to seek. 1t is
perfectly well known that more than
half the water pumped is wasted, flow
ing off into the sewers without benefit
ing even those who waste it-or the
sewers.
IF the waste, or even the major part
of it, were stopped, the capacity of our
works would be practically doubled,
and there would be plenty of water for
all The cost of installation of filter
plants, or that of bringing water from
q distance, would be cut in two. Even
without the adoption of means for puri-
tying the water. the quality of that
furnished would at once improve, for
pumping could then be stopped during
seasons of muddy or coal polluted water
and the water in the reservoirs would
have longer time for sedimentatiOn.
The minimum flow of the Schuylkill
would once more greatly exceed the
city's maximum draft upon it, the city's
annual conflict with the SchuylkilI Nav
dgation company would be avoided. and
the specter of the citys acquisition of
that company's properties would be
once more suppressed Finally, the i'm
provement and development of the sup
ply would be brought well within the
city's own means.
1.-The restriction of waste is the key
to the solution of Philadelphia's water
problem.
f'The experience of other places leaves
no doubt whatever that the proper use
of the water meter is a radical cure for
the evil of waste, and the only one. In
other words, upon the meter depends
the salvation of our city's water supply.
TT is therefore most unfortunate that
Through Ignorance of ~the facts of the
case. the public seems to be standing in
Its own light by a reluctance to sanction
the increased use of meters.
MANY of our people appear to be
under the impression
Il. That the proposed use of meters
in dwellings is intended to restrict the
use of water.
so. That the charge for water by
meter is excessive
80. That the waste is exaggerated.
"a. That the wasted water helps to-
cleanse the sewers.
ITO correct the first error it ought
to suffice to say that it is not desired to
charged by meter for water used in
families.
In the first place, it is not proposed
TO apply the meters to all dwellings, but
to those only where outrageous waste
as found to be going on
In the second place, every metered
supply, however little the meter shows
pays minimum charge, established for
the express purpose of discouraging
economy in the use of water and in
most cases the consumer will have
drawn all the water he can possibly
use and enjoy, and will have done a fair
amount of wasting besides, long before
the meter reading equals his minimum
charge. The meter thus charges only
for water wasted (and not for all of
that, not for water used.
There is, therefore, as a rule, no in
ducement to be even careful in the use
of water from metered dwelling house