Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-16
WATER PIPES DAMAGED
ALLEGED EFFECT OF ELECTRICITY
SIS ON METAL CONDUITS.
Complaint Filed by Local Merchant
Report Made by Inspector
Bleo.

In view Of the recommendation made by
the electrical engineer of the District that
the Commissioners request an appropria-
ton of 5000 by Congress for the purpose
of a thorough investigation into the sub
ject OF electrolysis it relates to under
ground metallic construction Of the local
government, complaint from Hugh Reilly
of1334 New York avenue, concerning the
electrolytic destruction of a water service
pipe leading into his establishment is dou-
bly, interesting.
The electrical department of the District
has conducted experiments in the vicinity
of Mr.. Reilly's store, and has reported that
the destruction of the pipe in question
was undoubtedly due to currents leaking
from the electric lighting wires in the
street. A technical description of the tests
is given in report to the Commissioners
by w. E. Bleo, inspector of electric light
Ing. Mr.. Bleo declares that in one man
hole he found water at the bottom which
was boiling hot, due to the currents pass
ing through it. He also found the water
service pipes leading into Mr.. Reilly's
place charged with 40 volts of electricity
when connection was made between 1t and
water in the bottom of the manhole.
Mr.. Reilly's Statement.
In his letter to the Commissioners Mr.
Reilly stated
Il desire to call your attention to an
apparent leakage of electric current, which
has damaged the water service pipe which
supplies my premises to such an extent
that the water flowing into the cellar has
damaged my stock and in other ways has
seriously inconvenienced me. This Is the
second time that this leak has occurred
from the same apparent cause.
THE first service pipe 1 had removed on
| account of its leaky condition and replaced
same at considerable expense with an extra
heavy one-inch lead service pipe, which
work was completed June TO- 1903
The above last mentioned pipe is now
| In as bad condition as the old service pipe
my cellar is again flooded and am obliged
to put in another service line.
Il respectfully submit the above men
toned facts. together with sample Of
the damaged pipe, so that your Office may
determine the cause Of destruction of both
service pipes and fix the responsibility"
The matter was turned over to Inspector
Bleo for investigation. Mr. Bleo states
that the electrolytic destruction of the lead
water pipe was also reported by the depart
ment by plumber John Nolan, who made
the necessary repairs. Mr.. Bleo conducted
tests 1or the electrical department August
., with the following results:
The service pipe was found to be ITO
volts positive to the water in the bottom
or manhole In front of Mr.. Reilly's prem
ises, from which cables led through
terra-cotta service pipe into premises in
question The lead service pipe also showed
eighty volts positive to moisture on the
surface of the street near curbstone and
ninety volts positive to the wet clay In
trench near curbstone. A difference of DO
tental or twenty volts was found to exist
between two sections of the lead service
pipe. the street end being positive to the
section leading from building. A length Of
pipe approximately Two feet long had been
removed from this section and brought to
the office by the plumber to show the de-.
struction caused by sneak or leak cur
rents. la was around this space that the
above potential of twenty volts was found
Lead Coverings.
1.-The lead coverings on the cables in the
manhole referred to above were thirty volts
positive to the water in the bottom of the
manhole. The frame of the manhole showed
a difference of fifteen volts positive to wa
ter In bottom of manhole.
THE water in the manhole was found to
be boiling hot due to current passing he
tween the conductors immersed therein the
insulation on the joints of the cables lead
ing into building was sufficiently poor to
permit the current leak above referred to-
1t is the opinion of the writer that the
destruction of this service pipe was directly
Que TO the poor Insulation of the Joints and
the FAILURE OF the electric lighting company
to properly bond the leads of the various
cables
In forwarding this report to the Commits
sioners, Mr.. w. c. Allen, the electrical en-
slneer, states that he concurs therein. He
says he has frequently called attention to
the improper and careless way in which
connections and taps Of the electric light
Ing system have been made, resulting in
the destruction of water service pipes in
the immediate vicinity. The company has
made some attempts to improve its con
nections. Mr.. Allen declares, butt 80 far
without entire success. He recommends
that Mr.. Reilly be informed 1t is the opin-
lon of the electrical department that his
water service pipes were destroyed by cur
rent leaking from the electric company's
cables.