The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-16
THE WATER STATUS.
Reasons for Not Going Into the Pro.
posed Trade.

Reasons for Not Going Into the Pro-
posed Trade.
Owing to the general interest which Is be
Ing taken by our people at this time in the
cost and operation Of the Water Plant the
Press and Banner asked Judge Lyon, Chair
man OF the Board, to talk on the subject fol
publication, and we report him as follows:
@. Will you, as chairman Of the Board OF
Public Works. state for publication the status
OF the water plant, and the plans Of the Board
In regard to the management OF the same?
Ans Yes, will cheerfnlly do 80, and Will
say that the commissioners OF public works
are doing all that they possibly can TO give
the city the best and cleanest water OF any In
the State, and at the lowest possible cost fol
that kind OF water.
The meter system which went into effect
the first OF April has put all patrons on the
same basis. and has already placed the sup
ply OF water under the easy control Of the
Board. Before meters were put IN the pump!
were run yearly all the while. both day and
which was met by special tax levy.
The pumps are now running on an average
Of four and half hours per day. The stand
pipe is kept full or full enough; 10 give pres
sure throughout the plant to guarantee abso'
lutte protection against f1re.
We are now at the middle OF the first quar-.
ter under the meter systenn, and are taking
the register Of the meters to see II they are
/
amount Of water used BY the patrons. This
information we will be pleased to give TO
users OF water II they desire II.
O. Is the present Or meter rate for water
higher than formerly?
Ans. No. The rate has not been changed.
The basis has always been at 80 cents per ,OO0
gallons. The amount OF water now being
pumped is not more than one-fourth what 1t
was before the meters were put on. and the
expenses have been reduced accordingly.
I'M Inn no 4.
ing the plant was about $3.50 per day. while II
is now about SS65 per day, or about $lO9.5O per
month. Thus we pay the engineer who is
practical machinist, and does nearly all re-
pairing, airing &c. without extra charge per s5 %
The superintendent, who buys all sup
plies such as wood, oil, &c, keeps the ~
accounts, collects the water rents, &C.. 10 O0
To wood -,
SO cords per month at 81. $l.S5................ 4s
Oil, &C., per month...........'....."."."."" . w
Total running expenses per month-""slO9 GO
II 1t is possible to further reduce the run.
ming expense account 1t will be done.
@. Is your Board In favor Of cheaper water
Ans. Yes; and the rate will be reduced to
the lowest price possible whenever It cen oe
done without taxing the citlzsns , to pay Sn rs de
charged with the levy and collection OF taxes
for city purposes will recommend to the
Board any reduction Of present rates, 1t WILL
be done to take effect at once.
@. Can the water plant be run without
loss?
Ans. That we cannot answer now, for we
have not reached the end Of the quarter
when estimates can be fully ascertained. Be-
sides this the success will depend solely upon
the patronage by the citizens.
We would ask all who are interested In this
matter to bear in mind that we are not furn'
ishing the city with branch water, but arte
sian water OF high analysis. and that II costs
more and is more valuable than any other
kind OF water.
The Board will suggest some additions and
improvements to the plant In future which
will add much to Its value TO the city. y