Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-03-06
New York Engineer Engaged
for Preliminary Estimate.
TELLS CITY COUNCIL PRESENT
SYSTEM Is POOR AFFAIR
Alexander Potter Will Recommend
Course by Which Sewerage Diff
cuIties May Be Overcome.

Alexander Potter of New York,
widely known as an engineer and with
large experience in municipal sewer
age construction. has been engaged by
the city council to make an examina-
ton of the Albuquerque sewer system
and to report with estimates on the
changes needed to make the present
system effective, the best way to make
these changes, their cost and the cost
of necessary extensions.
This report is considered necessary
by the city council before proceeding
further with plans for the enlarge
ment of the sewerage system which it
has long been realized is an impera-
tive necessity.
Chairman A. f. Walker of the sew
er committee of the council, has been
In correspondence with Mr.. Potter for
some time In connection with prelimi-
nary work and the New York man
stopped here Sunday on his way east
from Phoenix, where he has been en-
gagged in engineering work.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Potter was
| taken for a drive around the city by
| Mr., Walker and DR.. j. w. Elder of
the board Of health. Last night at the
| invitation of Mr.. Walker he appeared
before the council and outlined briefly
| the work that would be necessary in
making a preliminary estimate OF the
| kind desired. Mr.. Potter said that to
make an adequate map of the city
| upon which sewer extensions could be
| made would cost between two and
three tousand dollars but that a pre-
| liminary estimate could be made for
the sum of $3.50, provided the city fur
nish the levels and such lines as
necessary. He discussed the present
sewer system and indicated II would
! present good many difficulties. He
/ even went SO far as to say that the
/ task would be much easier II there
were no sewer system here. since the
| engineer would use his best efforts to
save the existing lines as far as possi-
! BILE. Mr.. Potter said that the con-
struction of the present sewers, par
/ ticularly the deep mains. is very faulty
and that the lines had been built too
cheaply. He Indicated that there were
| serious defects now existing which
should be relieved at once and that
| the faults in the system were seen in
| the outflow on the river where the
sewage was offensive I'm the extreme.
| The engineer thought that at present
! Albuquerque did not need to take up
the question of sewage disposal at the
| present time and that question could
be easily disposed OF when II does
come up. owing to the existence or
large tracts of sandy soil near the city
| limits.
In the condition Of the present sew
ers Mr.. Potter said that the men ia
| charge We're doing very well to keep
| them open at all.
on motion of Mr.. Hanley the sewer
committee was empowered to secure
expert estimates on the cost of making
necessary changes and estimates In
the sewer system and Immediately af-
| ter the council meeting Mr.. Walker.
| chairman Of the committee, signed
contract with Mr., Potter, by which h
is to make these estimates for the sum
OF $3.50, the city furnishing such en-
| gineering assistance as is required
The proposition made by the engi-
neer and accepted by the committee,
follows:
Albuquerque. March 5, 1905.
a. Il. Walker. Esq. and Sewer Com
mittee, albuquerque y. M.-Gentle-
mem For the sum of $3.50 ! will
agree to make report upon the con-
dtion of the existing sewer system
and recommendation as to the best
methods Of making them more effect
i've and an estimate of the cost there
of; the preliminary report of the best
method of providing sewerage facill-
ties for the remainder of the city and
an estimate Of the cost OF the same.
| This report shall take up the ques-
tion Of sewerage disposal, making rec
concentrations in relation thereto. ANY
levels required or lines to be run
shall he furnished by the city engi-
neer.
Very respectfully.
ALEXANDER POTTER.
BY authority vested in us. the City
Council. on March 5th 1905. we here
by accept the above proposition from
Mr.. Alexander Potter.
A. h. WALKER,
Chairman Sewer Committee.
Mr.. Potter expects TO be able to pre-.
sent his report within six weeks.