The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-20
MANY BROKEN WATER PIPES.
THE PLUMBERS STRIKE CAME AT
A BAD TIME.

Master Plumbers Were Besieged Yes
terday by Property Owners, for As
sistance which They Were Unable
to Render-Property Owners Per-
mitted by Inspector CampOs to Do
Their own Work-OId Water
Works Put to Work, But No River
Water Used-The Need of the JAR
reII Plumbing Ordinance Empha-
sized by the Results of the Freeze.
The freeze brings the usual accompani-
ment Of broken water pipes and lowered
pressure at the waterworks. The old
works on the river were started up yes
terday morning to supplement the supply
from the new works, and with the COM
bined efforts of both plants a pressure of
about 40 pounds was maintained during
the day. The muddy color of the water
in the morning gave many the impression
that river water was being used. superin-
tendent Kinsey, when seen about the mat
ter, said that such was not the case.
''The valve leading from the river has
not been opened since 1892 said Mr.. Kin
sey THE discoloration of the water was
due to the rust in the pipes leading from
the old works, which were used for the
first time this winter"
Superintendent Kinsey said that the
pumping from the new works Sunday was
$4,000 gallons. This was with low pres
sure. as it was desired not to exhaust the
supply.
The situation, so far as the property
owners is concerned, is complicated by the
plumbing strike. While many property
owners were besleging the plumbers yes
terday for immediate repairs, but few
were able to have their wants attended to-
One or two of the master plumbers had
full forces, but the majority had only one
or two helpers each, and were forced to
put their own shoulders toethe wheel and
get along as best they could. On account
of the condition of affairs Plumbing In
spector Campos authorized all property
owners who made application to him to
turn off the water at their own houses
and to make such temporary repairs as
they were able to do themselves. This is
not strictly in accord with the ordinance,
but under the circumstances the inspector
felt that he was justified in stretching his
authority. Some of the plumbers how
ever, thought this was unwarranted.
spector Campos took occasion to refer to
the urgent necessity for the FARRELL
plumbing ordinance which requires stop
and waste cocks to be provided at every
house. Had this ordinance been in force
and had the householders made use of
the cocks, the loss of thousands of dollars
in plumbing work and house repairs dur
ing the last three days would have been
saved. The damage from the freeze may
result in this ordinance being taken from
the table and favorably acted upon by
Council.
81 saved the water pipes at my house
by using the stop and waste cock" said
Superint endent Kinsey. Il did not know
1 had one until 1 discovered it when the
plumbers were repairing the damages
done by the freeze year ago. The prob
ability is that many houses are equipped
with these appliances but that the prop
erty owners are either not aware of the
fact or are ignorant of their use 1t is a
very simple matter to turn off the water
and then turn on the driDcock which al
lows the water in the pipes to run out
on the ground, and this little precaution
Will frequently save large plumbers
bill"
So much Of the plumbing in Savannah
is exposed said Inspector Campos,
that any unusually cold weather, such
as we have just been having, is certain
TO result in a number of frozen and brok-
en- pipes. In many instances water pipes
are outside the houses and even on the
roofs. There is no safety for the property
owner in case of a freeze except to have
and use the stop and waste cock"
The appliances are also much needed
safeguard for the city. The average prop
erty owner, in case of a freeze, only
thinks of one way to save his pipes and
that is to keep the water running night
and day. The consequence is a very heavy
drain upon the water works and an imme-
date reduction in pressure. As this pre-
Ventive proves ineffective in many in
stances there are always a number Of
broken pipes after every freeze and the
drain upon the water works is kept up
for several days after the original cause
has ceased to exist. During one of the
severe cold spells two or three years ago
these combined causes kept the water
pre- ssure down for three weeks and had
confiagration occurred the fire department
would have been helpless for water.