Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-03-21
A Timely Article on the Value of
Water Meters

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The following editorial article
was published in the Richmond
few days ago,
q d will no doubt he read with
i0s5 Ell IN Lexington, where
the subjsct of water meters is now
under trial:
The city of Philadelphia is cen
sidering the question of putting in
water meters, and the Ledger has
been at pains to ascertain how the
system operates in other cltieS.
Cleveland reports that $4,000
meters have been installed in that
city within the last four years, ard
that the movement has been very
popular as most Of the consumers
actually save money by using
meter. 1t has been eascertained
that over two thirds of the do
nestle meters average only about
1913 gallons per day. "Our water
department." says the superinten'
dent, "does not use the meter
.vstam an a means of increasing
revenue, but simply as a means OF
checking waste"
Wilmington, Del, reports that
the system gives general sati'fAc-
ton in that city, but the superin-
tendent is inclined 20 believe that
if the meter was forced on tho
householder in all instances, there
would te some complaint, i. e.,
where the minimum meter rate
exceeds the per spigot or outlet
charge. The minimum meter rate
is $40 per year.
Hartford reports that about six
years ago when the installing OF
the water meters was begun, its
consumption of water was in the
nelghborhood of 100000 gallons
IdAily, but with an increased
population and with greater
number of consumers, it has Iow
dropped to 5000, 600 gallons daily,
with an installation of 10, 137
meters. The superintendent says
that the installation of the meter
system in Hartford has been very
satisfactory to both consumers and
the water board.
Mayor Mccarthy makes similar
statement on behalf Of Richmond
| He reports that the meter system
Iis satisfactory here, but adds:
"Where the supply Of water il
so great that waste by che portion
of the people does not deprive thu
other portion of a sufficient supply
and where the means Of obtaining
water is such as to make it mex
pensive,I would not advocate th'
introduction of meters, because
believe in the great advantage
arising from the very free anC
abundant use of water-even tina
which Is apparently wasted becom
ing useful in the cleansing of thu
drainage ard sewer pipes OF thu
CITY,"
Danville was one of-the first o.
Virginia cities to adopt the mete
system, and the same result ha,
been obtained there. Before thu
meters were installed the city
pumps were hardly able to keep
supply Of water in the reservoir
but as soon ss the meters got wei
into operation the capacity of thu
pumps was ample.
The real purpose Of the wstel
meter is, or should be, not to maxi
consumers economic unduly in TIT
use of water, but simply to proven
them from wasting it, from Testing
the water run when there is NJ
need of it. But the question arOs
how. with the use of meters, house
holders could be prev snted from
stinting themselves in the use {
! wa .er. This difficulty was easil.
met by adopting the minimum
hxed charge. Under that rule
householder is required to pay s
much a year in any event fer To
: use of water, and for that sum
sufficient quantity for all purpose
10 allowed. II the meter show
That the householder has KEEP
within the limit, there 10 no extr
charge; If the meter records a
q excess there is an extra charge e
90 much per thousand gallons. Tn
householder soon lesrns that Their
10 no use in eoonomiSing, for th
minimum fixed rate must be pal
Q in any event. Therefore, he usa
Q ell the water he needs, and
a careful OILY to look after the leaks
{ The water meter 10 quite o
logical az the gas meter and tn
electric meter.
l. To the Sunday School Worker
of ROckbridQe
o The Rockbrldgs County Sund'
School Association will hold it's annu'