Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-03
ITS EFFECT AT SARATOGA
Consumption Of Water Decreased
About One Half.
THE CITIZENS Misunderstood
Something Must Be Done Here or Sit
uation Will Become Very
Serious.

Gently returned from a trip through New
York state learned while at Saratoga
Springs that since the installation Of water
meters in the residences and business
places of that town. which numbers about
5000 permanent Inhabitants. the use of
water has decreased one-haH In three
years. AS a town official put it: Our peo-
pie use as much water as they did before
the meters were put In. but they waste
less"
AS the daily consumption OF water in
the District approximates 6O.OOO0OO to 49,
100000 gallons. and 1t Is well known that
the per capita consumption OF water in
this city Is among the largest OF any of
the American municipalities. the Saratoga
statistics give close estimate upon which
to base a conclusion as to the probable
decrease in the water consumption when
water meters are installed all over this
city.
In discussing this question this morning
with Star reporter Commissioner Mac
farland said.
II am glad 20 be informed as to the re-
suit OF the installation of water meters In
Saratoga. as It Is practical demonstration
OF the correctness of the views We have
entertained In this city as to the probable
outcome Of the effort we have made to
curtail the extravagant use Of water by
the householders In our own municipality.
Under the appropriation Of 100000 given
us by Congress for the purpose of installing
water meters in private residences in this
city we have about 5000 meters under con-
tract for delivery and already stored at the
pumping station with which to begin opera
lions for installation in few days. By
this mean that we hope to have this total
number of meters installed within the en-
suing year. Our field equipment. wagons.
etc. are at present in readiness and within
week or so our force will be seen In
operation working in the parking in front
of reaidpnceS nuttipg the meters in DOSffiOn
on the lntersecting mains. and the water
meter system in Washington will become
an actuality.
Big Saving Probable.
There is considerable misunderstanding
on the part Of some property holders as
to the water meter system. while others
with whom ! have conversed- at once see its
strong points. We will begin by placing
the meters in the high areas of the city, or
points to which we are obliged to pump the
water the farthest, leaving the lower levels
until the last.
The consumption of water In this city
is out of all proportion to It's supply and
its population. and it is subject in which
am much. interested. both personally and
Ofici lily. The experts in the water de-
paFtIaent. have estimated that 66 per cent
of the water used in the District is wastedi
Placing low estimate upon the daily
consumption at 60.0O0.09O gallons means
child in the city uses 200 gallons per day
When 1t is remembered that 200 gallons
approximates seven barrels per capita per
day it would seem that we have popula-
ton abnormalIy addicted to the use of the
necessary fluid. The need of curtailment
is further emphasized by a comparison with
the per capita use of water in Providence,
r. l.. where water meters are in use, and
where the per capita consumption Is but
forty gallons per day.
Check on Water Wastors
1T is my understanding that next to
Buffalo, N. Y. this city uses more water
per capita than any other city In this
country. Sometimes in the winter In the
very cold weather our consumption runs up
to the approximate of 10OOO0,OOO gallons
per day. In Buffalo. where the supply is
practically unlimited. L believe the daily
per capita use amounts to approximately
800 gallons per day. This is because our
citizens allow the water to run to waste In
the winter months.
with our present facilities for obtaining
water supply and the large yearly in
crease IN its consumption, one of two
things must be done-increase the plant
very extensively at heavy cost or curtail
the use to reasonable limits with the pres
ent facilities. and this we are sure that
the water meter system will do, so the
saving In the end will be very great In
ract am of the opinion that In time the
water rates will be lessened materially
and certainly the equalization of the use
OF the water will be attained for singular
as II may seem to some. 1t Is not the large
property holder who necessarily uses the
most water, but il is the careless tenants
In many of the smaller holdings where
the plumbing is defective, who make no
effort TO curtail the waste. but. on the con-
trary, who allow their faucets and other
water escapes to run at all hours The
water meters will place a wholesome check
upon this large class of Indifferent tenants,
while the careful householder and tenant
VIII not be materially affected.
The Ultimate Benefit.
'of course. If the water rates are lessened
the yearly revenue theretrom must Of neces-
sity be lower. but 1 think this question will
settle itself by equalization. Off-hand, the
minimum annual water rate for a house
sixteen feet front and of two stories in
height Is 81. so An additional charge of 20
cents is made for each additional foot
front. and one-third OF the total for each
additional story to the house 1t will thus
be seen that a residence with a large 'front.'
age say Of forty feet. pays a comparative
ly large water tax at present. though the
residence may be occupied by man and wife
and a servant or two, and the actual use Of
water in such residence may be very
small-in fact. II usually is-as the plumb
Ing In such residences Is generally perfect,
and the water Is not permitted to 20 to
waste.
The meter charge will begin with the
fiscal year next ensuing-July 1, 1907
Householders should see to 1t that their
faucets are kept tight. their plumbing In
good order throughout. and that contInu-
Gus faucet running and closet flushing is
stopped. We can only estimate the amount
OF water used per annum by the govern
ment in the District. and II Is put down
at about 10000. 900 gallons per day. Per-
haps Congress will give an appropriation
for water meters to be used in the govern
ment service. when this amount may be
accurately ascertained and am In favor
OF the use of meters by the government.
The municipal government. we estimate,
uses about 100000 gallons per day.
think the meters should be universally in
stalled in every government, business and
private house In the city, and look for
ward to this ultimate result.
Bear This in Mind.
Now that the meters are really going
underground householders in this city
should bear these important facts in
mind:
The rate to be charged for water sup
piled through meters will be 8 cents
hundred cubic feet. one cubic foot az
proximately equaling seven and one half