The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-05
PUT IN METERS.
City May Enforce Their Use in
the Homes.
Plan Is to Prevent Waste Of
Water.
MR.. SHAW APPROVES 1T
Thinks That the Plan Is Much
the Best.
viii Do Much to Improve Fire
Pressure.
MR.. SHAW APPROVES II

one OF the hrSt things which the city
of Topeka is likely to do when it takes
possession of the waterworks system
on April l is to compel the use of
meters by all water consumers.
At present there are about 1.4O0
meters in use in Topeka This is about
one-third of the total number of con-
sumers in the city. The city will there
fore require the installation OF about
$500 meters. the cost of which to con-
sumers will be about $14 apiece. Con-
sumers may thus find an additional
cost at the outset which will not be
pleasant.
Supt Jesse Shaw states that the GUS
toners of the Topeka water company
have of late shown a decided preference
for the meter system.
I'VE have been installing meters at
a great many places which have for
merly been using the fiat rate sys-
tenn said Mr.. Shaw. "Our consumers
believe that they can save money by
putting in meters, and in many cases
they can do so. 1t is also of benefit to
the company to have meters, because
it tends to prevent the waste of water.
Nearly all cities where they have city
ownership are adopting the meter sys-
tenn. Here in Topeka we generally
place the meter in the cellar or base
ment. In larger cities, where they have
found it economical to construct the
necessary receptacle and place the
meter at the street curb, where the
meter reader can get at it at any time,
and thus avoid the necessity of re-
peated calls at the house when the res
idents happen to be away. The meter
system is much better. on the whole
for both consumers and the company.
While Mr.. Shaw was talking with
the State Journal reporter one of the
customers of the company called up
the office, and stated that he wanted a
meter installed al his place instead or
continuing to pay the fiat rate. 1t was
explained that this man had recently
built a large addition to his house, as a
result of which the company raised his
water rate. Rather than pay the ad-
vanced rate, he stated that he would
put in a meter. because he did not
think he would use any more water
than he had been using.
The city undoubtedly has the power,
if it desires. to require that all the
consumers under city ownership use
the meter system. 1t can enforce such
requirement in the same way that it
now enforces the laws in regard to
sewer connections.
Superintendent Shaw recommends
that minimum charge be fixed on the
meter system. Unless the city has
minimum charge" says Mr.. Shaw, lit
will probably be found that the con-
sumers, or some of them, in their desire
to keep down their water bills. will not
use enough for the best sanitary condi-
TONS Fifty cents month is not much
to pay for water. 1 can remember
long time ago when the merchants on
Kansas avenue used to pay an old col
ored man so cents month for one
bucketful of water which he brought
them every day. With a minimum
charge, the consumer will feel that he
has a right to use water literally, in
order to get his moneys WORTH
One result of the meter system will
- %I1n Eve 1n
will not be careless about leaving taps
running unnecessarily, and thus all
useless drain on the mains will be
eliminated. 1t is the heavy drain of
weather and very warm weather which
makes it difficult for the water company
to give strong fire pressure under those
conditions.
waterworks committee of the city coun-
Gil. is one of the advocates of the
meter system. He says: Il shall be in
favor of having a meter placed on
every water consumers premises. 1t is
the only sensible way for the city to
manage its own water sysen. Then
people will get exactly what they pay
for, and there will be no waste. 1t is
to the interest of the city to protect
itself in this way
Edward w Bemis, formerly a professor
at the Kansas State Agricultural college,
and now superintendent of the water
ership exists, in a recent number of the
Municipal Journal and Engineer. gives
some valuable information. in regard to
the expenses of that city with he
meter system, which is being adopted as
rapidly as possible. Prior to the adoption
of meters the pumpage of the Cleveland
works was fncrea sing at the rate of about
20 per cent a year. Under the meter sys-
TEN the pumpage is actually decreasing
from year to year in spite of the growth
of the city. while at the same time the
revenue of the plant is increasing. The
receipts for 1903 were % per cent greater
than in 1900 The Cleveland meter rate
is SIS cents per 1000 gallons, and the
smaller consumer gets the same rate as
the large one. This is a very low rate;
the lowest in the United States, 1t is
claimed, and in a city of the size of To
peka would probably be impracticable.
The present meter rates Of the company
vary from cents per 100 gallons when
from 100 to 200 gallons a day are used read, to
IL cents per 10 0gallons when 1900 to
50' 900 gallons day are used. When the
city was debating the question of city
ownership the company offered to reduce
the rates to from AZ cents when the con-
sumption is less than 500 gallons per day
to cent per 100 gallons when, from 10000
to 5000 gallons a day are used.
In Cleveland the minimum rate Is 80
A wear for small consumers and increases
those consumers who would have to