Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-11
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE
ON WATERWORKS

Gil of Great Bend, Kansas:
Your committee to which was as
signed the examination of the condi-
tion of the water plant of the Great
Bend Water Supply Co., and the rea-
sorableness of the rules and regula-
otions about to be enforced, beg to say
that it has personally visited the en-
tire plant and has caused letters to be
addressed to all of the cities of Kan
sas having a population of over one
= thousand inhabitants, seeking infor-
nation relating to rates, rules and
regulations of other water plants, and
reports as follows:
FIRST, That the conditions of the
properties of the Water Supply Co.
from what we could See and discover
are excellent.
SECOND, That the rates about to be
charged are on an average as reason
able, in some instances lower, as those
in force by private companies operat-
ing water plants in Kansas, but high
er than those in cities owning their
Gown plants
THIRD, That the rules and regula-
tions 10 be enforced are practically
the same as those in force in other
cities throughout the state, though
sperhaps in some instance, less exact
ing than those in force where private
9 companies have control.
In reference to the physical condi-
ton of the plant, much of it is new
equipment, having been put in within
the last twelve or fifteen months. The
company has placed a new compound
pump and a new steel boiler in its
pump house recently, erected new
smoke stack and has sunk, as it in
forms your committee, thirteen cop
per pointed wells to the depth of 70
to 80 feet from which the entire sup
ply Of water is now taken; in addition
to these wells it has large shallow
reservoir to draw from in case of fire.
These wells are connected separately
with the pumps which can be operat-
ed singly or together. The stand
pipe appears to be in good condition,
mot leak appearing, and the founda-
ton is perfectly intact. The amount
of water mains is nearly seven miles,
three of which has been laid within
the last eighteen months, the pumps
are directly connected with two lines
Of ten inch mains which supply the
city with water. Take it all in all we
did not expect to find the physical
condition of the plant so satisfactory.
Considerable money has been spent
in making these changes for the bet
terment. of the plant.
. AS to the rates to be charged next
year-the water rates are lower than
those charged by many private COM
panies in Kansas. The $1,000
: sprinkling rate for fifty foot front,
represents in most instances the max
irnum charge made by the companies
in Kansas, though some companies
continue this rate regardless of the
number of feet frontage. The local
company charges at the rate of 10c a
foot for each foot over and above fifty
{. feet. However as before indicated,
rates where cities own their plant are
on an average much lower than those
charged by the local company, (and
as to rates, rules and regulations in
public plants, we herewith submit the
Q numerous letters received in reply to
letters sent out seeking information).
We find that the rules and regula-
tions in force, governing water plants
are practically the same, and in the
use of water for sprinkling purposes,
the local company is not as arbitrary
as in many ether places, and the new
ly adopted plumbers rules are the
same as those in force everywhere.
The rule in reference to the dis
continuance of the use of water by
private parties during fire, we find
practically duplicated in every city
and ordinances in force with heavy
penalties attached for its non-compli-
ance, and some cities stating in rules
that fire pressure can not be given
while sprinklers are running and we
therefore respectfully recommend that
the provisions of ordinance No. It's
be rigidly enforced and we further
suggest and recommend that more
adequate fire alarm be provided fol
nearer the center of the town for the
purpose of giving notice of a fire.
Your committee further reports
that our city has an inadequate fire
protection, in the matter of the mum
Der of fire hydrants. The city has
many less hydrants than other cities
havin, about the same number of in
hi M tbo t,So 0f 1nuo lin. n