Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-12
A wATERY SUBJECT.

According to the report of superln-
tendent Hines of the waterworks de-
partment, there has been great waste
IN the use Of that essential element
without which there would be no NE Tor
vegetable, animal or man. The supply
for this city of late years has been
deemed insufficient for the actual needs
of the inhabitants, but from his figures
and statements, It Is evident that the
lack Is more through the absence OF
care in its use than in the quantity
which flows down from the mountains.
The average daily supply during the
year 1905, MIR, Hines places at l6,O6S,2li
gallons and the daily consumption per
capita as 30S gallons. He argues that
60 gallons per diem II ample for each
person. IL his figures are any way near
correct, IL Is clear that the waste has
been ut least as great as the actual
consumption. and he has not Jumped at
conclusions, but has furnished an array
~ figures that places the matter In II
clear ana uVlliNtdhh"i' iShN'
IL will, no doubt be very difficult to
train the general public into the habit
of individual conservation of the pre-
cIous nuid. Taps are allowed to run
when there Is no need for such waste;
lawns are excessively sprInkled; and,
even In times of scarcity n great many
persons are perfectly reckless In the
misuse Of water that they obtain with
such little difficulty.
The recommendation which the SUI
perlntendent makes refer more partlc-
ularly 70 improvements In the manner
Of conserving and distributing the wa
ter, with a view 20 the public conven-
fence. He has been earnest at different
times IN urging the establishment Of
meters by which the quantity con-
sumcd nj each house or premises could
be determined and paid for at regular
rates This perhaps would hardly be
applicable to every domicilc. and the
cost OF the meters would reach a very
large sum. They might, however, b.
Installed at places where large guam
titles of water are used and whore the
waste liz known TO be great. This is q
matter for the city authorities TO inves'
tlgate and decide upon, But efforts
should be made 10 induce people
throughout the city to ceas,
wasting water and 10 use it economi-
cally and with some sense of the need,
Of others.
From present appearances It Il Ike
ly that the supply viii be greater dur
Ing the present Year than In the past
Sull, the season for snow has only Jus
commenced, and We do not know wha
the future Will bring forth In the stor
age Of the snow supply at the highes
points. That which has fallen has bee
largely IN tho valleys and on the west
ern slope OF the Rocky Mountains, Will
away up on the summit and on IN
eastern slope but little, comparatively
IS 20 be seen
IT Is to be hoped that before thI
year IS out, the great projec, for vhlc
the city Il bonded will be complete,
ana an adequate supply OF pure waite
will be had for all necessary purpose,
Hut even with the completion OF IN
work and the flowing IN Of the water,
there viii be no reason for the extra
vagancc IN It's use which has character
ized the course OF the people In recen
years. The old adage "Wlful vast
makes woetul want is applicable Il
this case as IN many others Let u
secure all that IS needed, and the
distribute 1t Juauy and use Il wisely