Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-01-05
SMITH FAv0RS METERS
AND IMPROVING SYSTEM
City Council Considers Issuing 100000
Worth Of Bonds for Betterment Of the
Water Works This Year

The prospect does not look bright
for material and intelligent reduce
tioa of our water rates In the near
future. Under the meter system, the
reduction in rates would be positive;
no guess work about It, because you
know the amount of water delivered
and cost Of same, consequently can in
diligently make a selling price that
would be fair to the city and con-
sumner.
Now, I win endeavor to give figures
to show why meters would be bene-
At:
First, we would cut down our
pumping hours one-third. AS power
for 1906 cast $4,000, this would make
saving Of $1,000.
Second. by reducing the hours Of
the pumping station one-third would
make a saving of one man there at
$7Sc per annum.
Third. by each patron paying for
what he gets, we would get the ones
who are not paying their just portion.
ana by this method am positive we
could make reduction OF 20 per cent
in our present rates, which, calculating
on $4,000. receipts for 1905, would b.,
a direct saving to all consumers OF
$500 per year.
Would Enlarge Mains on Hill.
Furthermore, within two years.
water mains from the high service
reservoir to Normal hill will have to
be enlarged in order to furnish water
during irrigation hours. This cost
alone would be $4,000. besides en-
dangering your fire pressure to an
alarming extent
Tests during the past summer with
In the irrigation hours show a reduce
ton Of pressure from IS to 40 and 50
pounds. The reason for this was the
mains were to small to supply water
fast enough.
This, however, could be remedied to
some extent by changing the hours SO
all would not be using water at the
same time. think, under the present
rates, the installation of meters would
not reduce our receipts. It would
simply place the burden where 1t be-
longs.
Leaky Fixtures Waste Water.
Il am positive that more water is
wasted from residences caused by
leaky fixtures than is wasted during
the irrigation season. During 1906 we
pumped 4O0,000.00O gallons of water
and received $4,000 from the water
patrons and $4,000 from general tax
FOR our interest. making a total Of $685.
900. or about s3-4 cents per 1000 gall
Ions.
There are other remedies for our
would be for the citycmfwycmfwyp
only the remedy for our waste).
First. would be for the city to make a
special tax to raise enough money to
pay $4,000 interest, $4,000 sinking fund
depreciation. and all of our better
ments, which are direct benefit to
all property owners and should not be
paid for alone by the water consum-
ers.
Suggests Immediate Action.
IF this deparement received Jay for
what water 1t furnishes each year for
flushing sewers. sprinkling streets,
parks. etc, and maintaining fire plugs,
we could take care OF these FIRST two
items from this income and give our
patrons the benefit of the 20 per cent
reduction. keep on wasting water, and
still come out to the good.
Whatever we do, let US give this
matter careful thought. take time to
study both sides of the case and when
we have made our decision let us go
home and carefully examine all our
plumbing. and do this each month:
and when found faulty. get our plum
her to stop the leak and keep it stop
ped.
Don't wait; leaks cost money and
you foot the bill. Next summer If the
nan on the water wagon shuts off
your water for using out of hours.
1on't kick. go down and pay your fine
like man and say. I wish 1 had a
meter
IF you don't want to meter at the
present time. come out to the pump
ing station and let us figure on a
altering plant.
Respectfully,
wv. A. SMITH. supt..
The communication was placed on
Ole.