Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-03-28
UNSOLICITED LETTER FROM
HYDRAULIC ENGINEER JONES
On the Water Bond QueSff0n--H viii Be Suici-
daI to Interests of Albuquerque to Purchase
the Old Plant at Any Price.

In the first place, let say that the present water
plant insofar as it goes and the quality of furn-
ished there be found but little objection The kaa-
mein pipes are better than many would have them be-
So far good; but the vital point of the whole
question that most the city, if the city main
tans It's present growth lies the inability of further
efficient extension of the present distributing system.
IN FACT, THE LIMIT OF EFFICIENCY is NOW
REACHED AND PERHAPS SLIGHTLY SURPASSED.
This more especially applies to the fire service
than to lawns and domestic uses.
Doubtless the question will be asked: How do we
know this TO be fact?
The reply is easier given than 1t would be to correct
the evil The difficulty lies in the sMALLNEss of the
chief distributing mains The only solution this prot.
lem. II we wish to build for the greater Albuquerque
that the present system of mains be replaced by larger
ones This then would mean the inevitable reconstruction
of the WHOLE DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM, and is doubt
less the most serious question confronting the
ws;eT sos Supply company IT is CHIEFLY FOR THIS
THE PRESENT PLANT AT. ANY PRICE, HOW.
SOEVER SMALL. Were the distributing pipes
| on an average of six inches in diameter greater
then there would most certainly be one good
reason for purchasing the plant and for myself
am strong believer in municipal ownership public
utilities.
or the present plant set forth the proposed bond
ISSUE would not be sufficient make these changes for
more effective distributing system much less to
tend into new territory. MUCH OF THE OLD PIPE
WOULD uNAVoiDA8LY BE SPOILED IN TAKING 1T
UP AND THE CITY WOULD SUFFER A CoRREs-
PoNDNG LOSS THEREFRoM.
Another feature of the present plant that is ndesir-
able is the location of the pumping station This by all
means should be two miles UP river from its
present site It is inferred that the water is in
any way contaminated but is not the place get
water supply from the heart of the city as there is n
certain degree of risk regardless of greatest
tions
| In summing up the whole proposition, it cannot be
shown that water could be furnished any cheaper
through municipal ownership of the present plant than
what the Water Supply company is doing.
] II is certain that plenty of pure mountain water
be had, by gravity SYSTEM thus, forever eliminating
he constant expense of pumping by costly machinery
The storage reservoirs would located far away from
the dust and smoke of the city The Highlands or mesas
wou', become the great residence section of the city,
ana would be supplied with water with as much ease
under the gravity SYSTEM the low lands in the valley
The hydraulic pressure head could made any desired
unit for fire protection The park grounds
gress will doubtless apart for use could be beau
Titled
j beg to say in conclusion, that would be far bet
ter to extend the existing franchise period Of say
twenty-five years. with the some reduction
in the present water rate, THAN FOR THE CITY TO
TAKE OVER THE PLANT AT ANY PRICE. OUR
TAXES ARE NOW ALMOST PRoHlBlTVE; WHY
RUSH THE MATTER, WHEN WE HAVE EVERY.
THING TO GAIN AND NOTHING TO LOSE, BY WAIT.
ING?
The time is great distance in the future until
2 we ready for municipal ownership of a modern
gravity system furnishing mountain water that
will ultimately prove greatest drawing card for out
siders and genuine blessing denizens of the mu-
ncipality. Very respectfully,
FAYETTE A. JONES.