The daily sentinel., 1900-03-05
Grand functions New
Water Works System

The completion of the new city water
plant at Grand junction gives that thriv-
ing and energetic city OF the Western
slope perfect system OF waterworks,
with a supply Of purest water. Bonds
were voted for the plant and work was
commenced last October by Geddis and
Seerie Stone company of Denver, under
the management Of their superintendent,
Mr.. George SteinMetz. Over thirteen
miles of pipe were laid, mostly twelve
inch, and $50 fire hydrants placed.
The engine house which is a large
brick structure, Is situated on the banks
OF the Gunnison river, abont two miles
distant from the center OF the city. The
Denver and Rio Grande railroad, narrow
gauge, passes within few feet OF tne
building and sidetrack will be put in
SO that coal can be brought il cars to
the engine house. The coal bins will
have capacity of about 200 tons OF coal
The steam plant consists of two eighty
horse power horizontal, tubular boilers
set with full flush fronts of neat design.
The pumping plant consists Of Henry
r. Worthipgton compound duplex
plunger pump fitted with direct steam
connection, 80 that live steam can be
used in low pressure steam cylinders
are covered with Russian. in on tagging,
and the pump is fitted with Fisher
pump governor. which makes its action
perfectly automatic. The pumping
engine has capacity of 100000 gallons
of water per day and a space was
arranged to place second pump of
the same size and capacity. The pump
ing machinery was furnished by MIR. w.
II Emanuel, agent for Henry r. Worth
ington at Denver, through A.E. Yetter, a
salesman.
The water is pumped direct from the
Gunnison river into reservoir situated
on top Of an adjoining cliff. The reser-
voir has capacity of 100000 gallons Of
water which is ample for the days
consumption during the summer months.
The cliff is over 200 feet in height, which
gives a pressure at the pump OF 100
pounds per, square inch-that is, the
pump must always start against load
(pressure) Of 100 pounds. The water,
before entering the reservoir, passes
through skinner. This skinner is a
device for catching any sediment or
floating particles that may be in the
water. 1t consists of large wooded
box or tame, provided with a number OF
discs set on hollow rods about four feet
high. The discs are about twelve
inches in diameter, with turned edges,
and set perfectly level The water
enters the bottom OF the tank, and,
gradually filling flows over the edges Of
the discs slowly, there being sufficient
number OF these discs to carry off the
water with but little passing over
single disc. All small, floating .psrticles
are thus caught on the edges OF the
many discs and the clean, pure water
passes down the hollow rods to the
reservoir. The reservoir is built up on
top OF the ground, with coLcrete and the
whole wall eemented with Portland
cement A drain pipe is provided, that
it can be cleaned and examined or re-
paired when necessary.
The water is conducted down to the
city through twelve-inch mains, crossing
the Grand river on the bridge, and will
give a constant pressure of about ninety
pounds per square inch. Proper arrange
ments are also made to use direct
pressure from the pump in- case OF
fire.
The total cost Of the water works sys-
tenn was SS5,0O0 and citizens OF Grand
Junction can take pride in her water
works system. The water in the Gun
nison river is clear and pure and the
quantity unlimited and should the
population increase to 25,OOO people the
plant, with an additional pumping
engine, will be ample for all purposes.
On Mondey February 26, the system
was thoroughly tested. This test is
worthy Of special mention IS it was
most severe. Owing to the cliff between
the pump and the city, over which the
pipe is laid, the pressure at the pump
was ten pounds more per square inch
than on the mains down in the city.
The guarantee called for five hours