Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-11-15
TWO PLANS SUBMITTED.
An Interesting Report From Engineer Loweth
on An Economical Water Works System.

water, and it will be necessary to wall
them in and connect them by con-
duit to the reservoir so their flow will
be available during high water in the
river. The flow of the two small
creeks should be gathered above high
water level, if practicable, and pro-
vision made for wasting the surface
water which will flow in them after
storms.
The cost of this reservoir, and wall.
ing in of springs and conduit, I esti-
mate at $4,000.
Pipe System.
Maps of both portions of the city
accompany this report and show the
location and sizes of pipes proposed to
be laid, together with fire hydrants
and gate valves.
On the Centra1ia side it is proposed
to extend the system, but not to re-
place any of the present cast iron
pipes. The capacity of the present
pipe system can be reinforced ds may
be desired by the addition of new
mains on streets not at present sup
piled, and by the gradual substitution
Of larger cast iron pipes in place of
the many small wrought iron pipes
now in use; these latter cannot be ex-
pected to last. much longer without
serious leakage, as wrought iron pipes
are not durable, and the size of these
is entirely inadequate for any other
purpose than domestic supply, and in
some cases is even too small for this
purpose.
The sizes of pipes have been pro-
portioned to meet the present require
ments for fire purposes in the several
portions of the city. The capacity of
the system will be increased in the
future as it is gridironed by additional
mains laid from time, to time, provid-
ing these are of proper size.
1t is proposed to cross the river with
d 12-inch cast iron pipe, to be laid in
the river bottom just below the bridge
and to be protected from ice by being
covered with stone. Some flex-
ible joints should be used, and this
pipe could be made thoroughly tight
and safe. This seems preferable to
laying the pipe over the bridge floor
or suspend1ng it underneath.
The extent of the pipe system is be-
lieved to be sufficient to provide fire
protection for practically all improved
portions of the city. By an examina-
ton of the maps you will readily see
that there will be few buildings, and
those only on the outskirts, which
could not be reached with moderate
lengths of hose.
Generally no pipes will be laid at
the outset smaller than six inch, ex.
cept for some hydrant connections,
but inch pipes can later be wisely
used for extension in some localities.
Fire hydrants should be provided
with two hose connections, with
to correspond with hose now
in use. All hydrants in the central
portion of the city should have 5 inch
valves, and be connected by inch
pipes to mains, and the other hydrants
have 4 inch valves and connections
to the mains. There should be the
proper number of gates, SO that diff
ferent parts of the system could be
cut out of service as might DE re-
quired. These gates would be made
accessible bv cast iron boxes extend
ing to the ground surface.
1t is proposed to lay all 6 inch pipes
with a cover Of ~ feet from the top
of the pipes to the surface of the street,
and all pipes Of larger size with
cover of feet. All pipes would be
standard weight cast iron coated water
pipe, of the best quality, and such
special castings would be put in as
necessary to facilitate future extern
sions.
There will be few dead water
mains, but this is unavoidable, not
only in the construction of the plant.
but thereafter as it may be extended
from time to time. Dead ends are OBJ
jectionable on account OF the less per
feet circu alton of of the water, and
its liability to to deterioration and
freezing due to it's stagnation; also be-
CAUSE hydrants on dead ends are not as
amply supplied with water as those on
circuits. The latter objection
amounts to nothing if the mains are
of proper size as they are intended to
be in this case. The liza bility of freez-
ing is remote with pipes laid as deep
as proposed. If there are water takers
along these dead ends, there would be
ample circulation to prevent deterior-
alton of the water, especially water of
such good quality as in this case.
The pipe system has been planned
with a view of providing fire protec-
ton over as large an area as prac-
teal, and at the same time to locate
the lines along those streets where
the greatest immediate revenue could
likely be obtained. Should the coun-
Gil desire to modify this plan, any in
crease or decrease in the quantities
may be made at the prices included in
this estimate.
The prices in the estimate are in-
tended to cover the pipe system COM
plete and ready for use, including the
cost of pipe, trenching, back filling of
trenches, special castings. etc. No
allowance has been made for rock ex-
cavation.
1 estimate that the pipe system as
shown on the maps would cost as fol-
lows:
2,37o lineal it. of finch pipe O. SIC S 1852 40
1910 :. G-nch - % Tie. 1O,5S610
6lO 90 s. S-inch '' a SOC . 4,O94O 90
$50 - - " 12-inch - a. S1l4... 6,349.S0
257O .' inch " O. 1.5O... 3,855.O0
$40 ineal II. Pinch pipe across river
a. So. 10. 1,6I4.U
30. $50 Total lineal feet equals 58 miles.
2S 5-nch fire hydrantS a. $500. ....... 94.00