Evening journal., 1908-08-04
WANTS CITY TO PAY
FOR FILTERED WATER
Details of the Plan Submitted to the Water
Commissioners by Former Chief
Engineer LCiSen

Another proposition for the establish
ment of water filtration system was
presented before the Board Of Water Com
missioners yesterday afternoon. The pro-
ject was outlined by Theodore A. Leisen,
fermer chief engineer of the Water De-
partment in a communication to the
board. 1t provides for the erection Of a
filter plant by a private party, giving
the city an option to purchase it at later
period. and in the meantime for the city
to pay as compensation to the builder Of
the plant, in monthly instalments. an
amount equivalent to One-half Of one per
cent. on the cost Of the plant comp.-te
plus a fixed price per million gallo's 0f
water filtered, based on a minimum quan-
tity Of ten million gallons per day.
The proposition was voted for by Mr.
Shaw and Mr.. Ford and was opposO By
Mr.. Knox. The latter asked Mr.. Ford If
the legal phase Of the pan had been eek
ed into and the board was satisfied TO
go ahead with the proposition. Mr. Ford
replied that he was satisfied with the
plan.
De ycu think It wo Ild be proper 'sf a
ryivste party to build a filter pl+at 0a
city property3' asked Mr. Knox.
Mr.. Ford said that he did
'.Wel 1 don't" replied Mr.. Knox
Following the reading of the propOst-
tion Mr.. Ford introduced a resolution 10
the effect that Mr.. Leisen's recommonda-
tions be accepted and that Chief Enginc,r
Kienle carry them out as quickly as pos
sible and that Mr.. Leisen be employed
by the department as consulting engineer
for the work, at such salary as may be
agreed upon.
The resolution was carried by the votes
Of Mr.. Shaw and Mr. Ford with Mr.. Knox
voting against it
The plan proposed by Mr.. Leisen fol-
lows:
Engineer Leisen's Plan.
To the Board Of Water Commissioners,
Wilmington, Del.
Gentlemen. 1T has become apparent
that there is little or no prospect Of OBJ
tanning the required authority for the is
sue Of bonds to cover the cost of con
structing the proposed filtration work. and
It therefore becomes the duty Of the Board
of Water Commissioners in its effort tC
carry out the letter and spirit of the law
which prescribes that it shall supply good
and wholesome water to the citizens OF
Wilmington. TO devise if possible some
other measure whereby filtered water may
be provided without immediate recourse
to the issuing Of bonds.
The proposition which I am about tc
present If properly worked out. would
enable you to supply filtered water to the
city within the course of another year
without the immediate necessity Of issuing
bonds for the payment OF the plant ol
incurring any burden except the paymen
OF stipulated amount for each million gal
/ Ions Of water filtered. and with the optioI
Of purchasing the whole plant at any TIM
the city may so decide, at a price pre-
! viously agreed upon.
Briefly the proposition may be out
lined as follows;
Invite proposals on the plans prepare,
by the chief engineer Of the department
to be subject TO the approval of the en-
gineer Of the contractor. or allow the con,
tractor TO submit plans subject TO the ap
proval Of the Chief Engineer Of the Water
Department.
In either case the contractor will make
an estimate OF the cost Of building tn,
filter plant complete, including hltere,
water reservoir and all appurtenances an,
viii submit the same in open competition
or otherwise as you may elect The hgur
which each contractor may submit as ,
tender for the work will be considere,
the cost price Of the filter plant, in an,
negotiations leading up to the purchas,
Of the said plant by the city.
The contractor to agree to construc