The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-30
COMPARATIVE TABLE.

The non.use of meters, for the domestic ser
vice, is the greatest cause, not excepting poll
tics, for Buhalo's municipal failure. There is
widespread and obstinate prejudice in most cities
against the use Of meters. Almost invariably
among the citizens who assume their prejudice
is well founded without taking the trouble to
inform themselves. Hence the objections are
founded on ignorance.
The experience of some cities in the use OF
meters is sufficient to convince any reasonable
person that the general Of meters is the
only wise course to follow in the management
Of water system which is obliged to pump its
supply For instance. Milwaukee was once in
nearly as bad a condition Buffalo In 1850,
there were in in that city only twcnty.sX
mcters-not quite one twcnty.sixth OF one per
cent. of the total. At the close of 1898 there
were 22,09s meters in use or a trihe over 81 per
cent. OF the total number of taps. During the
same period the daily per capita consumption
fell from 232 to so gallons.
The writer visited Richmond, Va. last May
and found in the history of its water works, a
still more remarkable record in favor Of the
use Of meters. Briefly, it is as follows: The
present superintendent, Mr.. Charles l.. Boiling
was placed in charge of tho works in lSSj. At
that time the capacity was 2i.OOO,oO0 per day
The population numbered 10000. The Supcrn.
tcndcnt Immediately commenced to institute re.
forms, first dividing the distributing system into
three dstricts-high, low and intermediate.
Under the old regime the per capita consunp.
tion rapidly increased, as no meters were en-.
ployed. In 1870 it was Is gallons; in 1850 92
gallons, and in 1885, 16S gallons. The water
pressure was low on tho high points that
patrons could not the water on the second
floors. The only solution of the problem was
the use OF meters, or larger mains Additional
mains meant more pumps, and the whole cost on
the latter basis would amount TO $4,000
The superintendent was convinced that the
more economical course was the adoption of the
meter system. lie Immediately began to agitatc
the question, meeting with strong opposition and
delays Finally, after years of pleading, com.
plant became so loud that something had To he
done. In the spring of 1897 the city council
appropriated $4,000 for the purchase of meters,
and the superintendent was allowed TO place
them where he thought best. The work of set.
ting the meters commenced in juno Of that year,
and they all located on the lowest plane,
irrespective of the size condition Of the scr.
vice. Nearly all the taps in this section sup.
piled small dwelling houses having two fix.
tures-a hydrant and closet. The average con-
sumption at each tap per month was nearly 30
600 gallons and in few instances reached as
high as 10000 gallons per month. The average
amount of water which could really be used by
such a small seryiCe-a hvdrant and closet
would not exceed 10000 gallons per year. This
or rather the bill, and by the close Of that year
the pressure at the high points had increased 40
per cent,
Another appropriation Of 5000 for meters
was made in 1895 They were also set in the
low districts. and at the end of the year the
pressure had increased 100 per cent. at the high
points. All complaint of the netticicncy OF the
water works ceased and every one we'll
pleased by the reformation. And the evil was
remedied by an investment of $4,000 in meters.
Had the only other remedy been adopted it would
have cost the city S27O,O0O, besides annual cx.
pcnsc OF $1,000 thereafter for maintenance.
Prior to the introduction OF meters the water
pumps were insufficient TO maintain the supply
and it was often necessary to run the steam
pumps, which increased the cost Of pumping
81, 800 per annum. Since the adoption Of the
meter system there has been no occasion to use