The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-07-01
WOULD CUT WATER RATES.
Council advised to Lop off Portion of
Water Company's Monthly

ID d uC-llOu tudt ID up lOl COuSlQ'
Grafton in the city council. The
reduction was proposed by the
special water committee, to which
the question of a water supply was
referred at recent council meet
ing. The committee submitted a
report setting forth that the city
pays S. each for seven fire cisterns.
| that theisaid cisterns are practical
| ly useless for fire purposes, and
| recommending that they be dis
continued. The committee also
advises that $500 per year is asufh.
Tcient sum to pay the Water Com
pany for such fire protection as is
afforded. The present allowance to
the Water Company is $3.50 per
month. or $o4o per year.
The report cites that there are
seven hydrants, all in good condi-
tlon except the one on Seventh
street, located at Bryson's corner
and continues: There are seven
cisterns, located as follows: threeon
Second street, two on Fourth, ,one on
Fifth and Seventh streets are very
small and would be of little value
in case of fire; and all of said cis-
terms are fed by three-quarter inch
pipe. None of these cislerus have
| been used in years by the city III
case OF fire, except one or two and
they soon gave out when used. In
fact, the entire cistern plan, togeth-
er with the present hand engine,
is of little use as protection
against fire, and we consider that
the present $2I per month now
paid by the city for maintaining
the same as so much money lost;
and would therefore recommend
that committee be appointed by
the council to ascertain if the pres
ent hand engine cannot be sold for
sufficient money TO WARRANT the
city in exchanging it and paying
the difference for a chemical engine. |
It is patent to the council. no doubt
that the present system of extin-
gushing fires is Intellectual, and a
large portion of the city without
protection; and we consider that
with a chemical engine. every part
of the town would have much bet
ter service than the most favored
portion now has. Your committee
is of the opinion that the present
city council should pay the present
Water Company no more than $500
annually for the uss of water for
all city purposes, including the
flushing Of sewers, for the following
reasons:
That the present system is very
Ineffective, and does not supply the
water that is necessary for fire pro.
teation, and extending over but a
small portion of the city; that the
capital invested in the present
plant is very small. Taking all
these things Into considers tion, the
$500 proposed would be sufficient
and ample to pay for the amount
of service rendered.
"We learn that the following
rates are charged by the Water
Com pany for the use of water by
private consumers: Family use,
81; FOR bath in residence, IS cents;
for toilet in residence, so cents;
for lawn and flowers, one lot for
season, or less. So; for two lots or
less than two or more than one for
season, SIS: for three lots or lesst
than three or more than two for
$6. f.
eve further recommend the
liscontinuance of the use of the
seven cisterns, for the reason that
he supply pipe is SO small and the
water furnished is of very little use
o the city.
''We would further like the OPP
Mon of the council as to what
um is the proper amount for the
'ity to pay the present Water Com
,any for the use of water as above
Indicated.
"Your committee is in doubt as
Q what is desired by the council
n the matter of investigation to be
nade by the committee concerning
be quantity of water to be obtain
d from the system of wells located
ear the city, and would therefore
SIX the council to give further in
tructions as to the amount of in
estigation and what Expense may
e.incurred by the committee in SO
oing."
After the reading of the report
everal councilmen expressed ap-
roval of the subject matter in the
eport, and declared that the sub
ct was one that demanded the
arnest consideration of the city
~ a e.