Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-03-03
THE WATER PROPOSITION
A Brief Summary of the Pro-
visions of Senator Avery'S
Bill Empowering Corvallis
to Build WaterWOrks.

That the City of Corvallis will
have its own waterworks is now
practically assured. All obstacles
have been removed save one, and
that is the consent OF the voters
of the city. That the supply of
water will come from the noun
tains is certain, should the plan
receive popular sanction at the
polls, and the cost Of bringing it
is not too excessive.
Corvallis now has a modern
sewer system, and though some
opposition was expressed, the
benefits derived have been such
as to remove that objection. True
in some instances, the construc-
ton of sewers has worked hard
ships, but these have been ex-
ceptions, and what is true of
sewers is true of nearly all city
improvements. With this sewer
system, Corvallis needs thor
oughly modern water system,
one that will supply wholesome
water and afford adequate fire
protection. When such a water
system is installed, Corvallis will
have just cause to feel proud of
her municipal improvements.
That our town may have such
a system is made possible by
Senator Avery's bill authorizing
the City to construct waterworks.
And the advantages to be derived
are so manifest that the probability
of the plan not receiving the ap-
proval of the people, is too re-
mote to be regarded seriously.
The legislative act limits the
amount of indebtedness that may
be incurred for this purpose to
SIS, 900, and should it be found,
after survey and estimate has
been made, that plant can not
be built with pipe running from
Mary's Peak, within the figure
named, the question of securing
mountain water may have to be
abandoned.
The cost of a mountain water
system, taking the supply from
Rock Creek, near Mary's Peak,
has been estimed at all the way
from $40, 900 to 500, 900, but
those claiming to have investi.
gated the matter, state that they
are satisfied the system can be
built at about $4,000
The act as passed does not con
fine the city to any particular
system, but provides for a con
struction committee of ten per
sons, and it is left to them to de
eide on the kind of plant ant
the source of water. The com
mite consists of E. Woodward
M. S. Woodcock, R. H. Huston
Thos. Leese, B. F. Irvine, F. L
Miller, S. L. Kline, P. Aver,
and w. S. McFadden, and it i
understood to be the unanimou
opinion of these gentlemen tha
Corvallis should have nev
water system and that the waite
should come from the mountains
When the Committee has tn
plant completed, they then elee
Commission of four resider
taxpayers who continue th
management of the system.
new member of this commissio
is elected annually by the Con
mittee and for this purpose th
bill provides for the continuane
OF the commission.
That the city may have fune
to carry out the work, provisio
is made for the issuance Of bono
in denominations of from 500
$1,000 that bear interest at a raj
not TO exceed S per cent. TT
bonds run for 40 years but tt
city has the right to pay the
off in 10 years.
Water rates are to be fixed /
the committee and the rate
based on the securing of a nece
sary fund during the ensuir
year to pay for the maintenan'
of the plant and one years il
terest on the bonds. After t.
years an additional fund shall
raised equalling three per cent
the par value Of. the bonds.
Provision is made for holdil
an election to vote on the bon
ing question, and no person vi
is not a resident of the city