Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-11-24
TIE ENGINEERS REPORT.

THE ENGINEERS REPORT.
Mr.. Davls's report has already been pre-
pared for publication. He says in the
beginning that while he appreciates the
enterprise and patience OF the promoters
of the present system in the face OF much
adverse opinion, he must say that II is in
many respects far from being an ideal
supplying system for a place as large and
so situated in varying elevations as Brat
tleboro.
Aside from the possible inadeuuacy OF
the supply at times an important point Of
criticism is the small size of the MAINS
due to lack of foresight in planning the
system, or to the fact that the town has
outgrown the size of the pipes. as at
first laid. He enters INTO an extended
description OF the present system and
criticiZes the fact that there are four
parallel lines Of pipes leading to the dis
tributing reservoir one half mile north
westerly from the town hail. whereas a
single larger pipe would be much shorter
and perform the service equally well.
He says that one of the earliest ques-
lions that occurred on his first visit to
Brattleboro in connection with the water
system was Where are the hydrants?"
He finds that there are about 1900 feet OF
service mains to each hydrant and that a
large part of the length of the service
mains is in the thickly populated part Of
the village. He recommends a large in
crease in the number OF hydrants.
Mr.. Davis reviews in detail the various
springs which are the sources of supply
for the present Chestnut Hill reservoir
system, as well as the pumping station on
West river. which is an auxiliary supply.
In recapitulation he gives estimates of
the cost of the present system as follows:
Cost Of pipe system. 1851. SO
Development of springs, BAG. 90
Reservoir, S2O7. "a
Pumping station. 3,025. 90
Land and rights. 1000. 90
This makes a total cost for duplication
In efficiency Of the present system $751;
1898.
1t appears that there is a large amount
of small pipe which ought never to have
been laid and which must be replaced be-
fore the present system can be considered
complete and properly proportioned. He
asks, Are you buying what you want?''
and says that he is of the opinion OF the
claim of many people that there should be
more pressure. The present reservoir is
1925 above mean sea level and to get an
elevation of 600 feet would mean the
abandoning OF the reservoir and OF the
present sources Of supply except perhaps
the pumping station. He says that the
actual cost OF the present system Is
difficult to determine owing to the vary
ing prices at the different times when
work was done and to the manner In
which the system was constructed.
Mr.. Davis discusses the question of the
present income of the system and OF the
possibilities OF expense in demand for
changes and extensions. At one point he
says: IF you buy the Crowell system,
what are you going to do with it,"
He then proceeds to discuss the several
sources of supply worthy OF consideration.
II a new source is taken he would rec
ommend one that will furnish at least
100000 gallons per day at a working
pressure when using FIVE cubic feet per
second which is at the rate OF $500 900
gallons per day, of about 100 pounds
pressure at the town hall, where we now
have pressure OF 6S pounds when using
probably less than one cubic foot per
second. This quantity, 1000, 600 gallons at
100 gallons per capita, will furnish water
for 10000 people. and the estimate of 100
gallons each is liberal. He then takes up
the following subjects as propositions
which have been investigated;
Development of present source and sys-
tenn.
North pond.
North pond and Stickney brook
North pond, Stickney and Pleasant VAL
ley brooks.
North pond and Pleasant Valley brook
Wickopee Hill brook
Wickopee Hill brook and North pond
Main part Of milestone brook.
South branch of milestone bHook.
South pond and Green river.
Broad brook, north branch.
Broad brook. north and south branches.
Gravity supply from West river.
Pump supply from West river
In the figures which follow in his report
elevations, distances and reservoir areas
and contents are from actual surveys,
from mean sea level, and watershed areas
and number OF houses from maps OF the
United States geological survey.
In considering the present system he
says the springs and brooks now tributary
are developed to their full extent, with
the exception of the pumping station.
There are brooks which could be connected
by pipe with the reservoir, but consider
ing the expense and that there would be
no increase Of pressure this change is
not recommended. If the present reser-
voir is to be used Mr.. Davis says the best
thing to be done is to build up the wall
at the southerly end, thereby increasing
the capacity to about 1880, 900 gallons, and
as further safeguard against accidents
to duplicate the pump and boiler at the
pumping station. The estimated expense
for this work is $4,4S0.96, and this would
be considered a temporary arrangement,
with which the people would not be salts
fed for any great length of time.