Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-30
MORE PROTECTION FROM FIRE
Need of Omaha VhOh City Engineer
Points Out TO Water Board.
TELLS HOW TO AVOID DUPLICATE MAIN
Declares Defective Distribution Of
water Existing for Many Years
Has Become Dangerous and
Demands Remedy.
TELLS HOW TO AVOID DUPLICATE MAIN

At the request Of the Water board, City
Engineer Rosewater submitted a detailed
report Thursday morning on the defects
OF the water system, and the board went
into session to consider It.
Mr. Rosewater suggests improvements
which obviate the necessity of a duplicate
water main from Omaha to Florence. which
the water company is trying to secure at
an expense to the city. He also speaks
OF the recent break in the water main. one
cause Of which, he says. was the excessive
rate OF pumping necessary to supply South
Omaha according to contract.
what Contract f. For.
The report says:
The purposd Of the contract with the
water company to develop system OF
water supply was twO-fOld first to
supply. the people with distribution sys-
tenn Of pipes in connection with a pump
ing plant. settling and elevated storage
basins, to insure an ample supply of good
healthful, potable water for domestic pur-
poses throughout the city and second
10 develop such a system OF distribution
50 proportloneJ as to admit OF throwing
effective fire streams through system
Of hydrants to numerous lines of hose
as the practical and most advanced meth
DDS In vogue will admit Of the quick and
ready extinguishment Of fires
To maintain an effective water supply
and direct fire protection system, several
kept In view:
First, an ample and unfailing proper
and Efficient pumping Ris plants. ' Th iiPa.
proper means for the cls-incation and
publication OF water. Four,h, The con-
structlon and continuous adoption of such
systems of pipe distribution. will Insure
both efficient domestic service and. at
the same time. admit of the fire protection
required and insured to the public
Agreement Made Years Ago.
The original provisions to meet all these
requirements were made twenty-six years
ago, when the population was less tn an
$4,000, and a large majority of the people,
especially those in the outskirts, were
served with well water for domestic pur-
poses. A distribution system adequate 10
meet the first requirements would not meet
those Of today, for either domestic or fire
service.
/. That it was the duty of the company
contracting to furnish and maintain the
efficiency OF this service at all times dur
, ing the contract period. has been al
rnitted, and is not denied by the wa,er
company. The question now submitted is
what is necessary and omitted in tire
adoption Of the water service to meet
present requirements under the contract.
IT is conceded that the pumps have ample
capacity and the other adjuncts to the
steam machinery are presumed TO be Kept
IN order and so duplicated as to aImit
OF no possible failure under any emsr-
2 Whit ample capacity in pumping ma
chinery Is conceded. II properly managed,
very important defect has existed for a
number OF years and has now reached such
a dangerous stage that IL is one OF several
problems whose solution the public is con-
fronted with This is defective distribu-
ton system, which is 50 disproportioued
and hacking In capacity that = Is pIopose,d
inch main supply pipe from Omaha to
Florence -.
and S900o0 This outlay can only increase
the main distribution capatity but VIII not
do away with the numerous six and four.
cause OF failure to furnish fire streams In
the past years, notably the recent one on
East Leavenworth street, which resulted
in the destruction of the Dietz lumber
yards.
City should De Protected.
II immediate action is needed upon a
large scale to overcome shortcomings In
the present inadequate system, the first
should insure the city not alone against
accidents to mains put the possible tenn
OF channel or accident at the very source
OF water supply
both sides OF the river to preclude such ar
accident, and charged up to capitalization
AZ nlaes 9s sbsw t6St such pessbte.
are recognized as admissible What pro
visions have we now IN the event OF snct
and pipe capacity, would PLACE '1aha a
the mercy OF flames and water famine
is tho Walnut HIN reservoir, which was
designed for 1900 people and cannot hole
over half a days supply for the city IL
event OF such an emergency.
The first problem Nthen OF more impot
lance than the doubling OF our suppl,
enough for a few days at least. This car
he done by one Of several methods, thu
selection OF several small sites OF equa
altitude to the Walnut HIM reservoir. AM
90 connecting them up with the system
e. TO make them available for water ant
are service or the selection OF one site
suitable 20 hold enough for a week, anS
so connecting Il TO the system as to sup
ply the city in the event OF breakage o.
mains IN one or the othe- systems OF dis
From a careful STUDY OF the citys con
tours I am prepared TO state that eithe
Of the propositions are practicable, ant
can be made available with little delay
In the south part or the city reservoir
site can be procured and q, q storage is reSer
gallons with the water level when full, a
an elevation Of $40 feet above the river, o
300 feet above the business center q IN
city The cost OF this site and reservoir
completed with two chambers, will com
within S40o,oO which sum includes the cos
six-ineh main necessary 90 connect Il wit
the two existing main distribution systems
By hnlldlng only one ehamoer. holdln
main water pipes viii be about $500, 00
With this reservoir both South Omaha an
Omahn would be insured higher pres-ur
service IN their business centers. and 1
emergencies, such as occurred a few day
nEo the city would have three days 4
the latter case ana six In the former. 70
D-pwer Iine Reached.
Il is pertinent In this connection 10 sa
that We have reached the danger line q
pumping 10 both cities under existin
conditions. When the water company con
tracted 10 supply South Omaha and an
Tanred 70 90 30 through the present main
tWeuty-four hours through that main T'hi
increased the friction OF loss over $50 pc
cent
But this 1t not all a. most OF the waite