Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-19

engineer of the average quantity of
water available locally from the
present water companies and from
additional development, taking into
account years of drought. as well
as years of normal rainfall. An in
vestigation should be made of the
feasibility of water development at
the San Gabriel narrows upon the
lands formerly purchased by the
city of Pasadena for that purpose
at large expense. The question of
a dam at DEVILS Gate or elsewhere
in the Arroyo Seco for impounding
the flood waters during winter rains
should be carefully considered. II
investigation should show that a
storage reservoir is impracticable
it would appear that such dam
would retain the waters which now
go to waste, at least until large
amount should percolate through
and feed the springs and gravel
beds underlying Pasadena, from
which the present supply is derived.
If. as 1t appears from former eX-
pert reports, the local available
supply is found insufficient for the
citys future requirements, and If 1t
should become necessary to go
elsewhere for a portion, possibly
half, of our water supply, then and
i'm that event the question as to
whether it would not be more adj
vantageous to the city to bring its
entire water supply from a distance
should be carefully considered.
Investigates Owens River
The committee should be particu-
larly instructed to investigate and
report upon the Owens river project
and under what conditions, if at all,
Pasadena may acquire water from
that source. The immensity of that
undertaking has evoked praise and
admiration throughout the country,
and adverse criticism bespeaks
spirit of narroWness and jealousy
which should not exist in Pasadena.
1t is stated that in about three
years the owens river aqueduct
involving an expenditure of more
than $23, 600 O00, will be completed
and the visible supply of water IN
this vicinity increased fourfold,
This supply is reported sufficient
not only for the city of Los Angeles
but for the surrounding lands from
the mountains to the sea. This wa
ter is soft and pure, rising as 1t
does in the perpetual SHOWS or the
high Sierras about 1000 feet above
the altitude of Los Angeles and
making possible the development of
perpetual electrical power, which, 1t
is stated, will produce revenue
sufficient to meet every obligation
of this entire investment. What a
commentary upon the foresight and
public spirit of Los Angeles! Pas
adena should take a broad, LIBERAL
minded view of the situation as 1t
really is. We are as vitality inter-
ested in the development of our out
lying districts as within the city
limits. Imagine what an abundant
supply of water would do for the
lands to the north and east of Pas
adenal 1t is clearly evident to the
thoughtful mind that the interests
of all within this part of Southern
California are mutual in the matter
of increasing the water supply.
Pasadena cannot afford to be eX-
elusive and to reject without inVes-
tigation this possible oportunity of
additional water from the Owens
river We should show a spirit of
co-operation rather than of oppo-
sition, which does not reflect the
public spirit which we know exists
here 1t has been assumed and as
serted publicly that Owens river
water can be secured only by con-
soldation with the city of Los An
gees We believe such statements,
as we'll as the adverse criticism re-
ferred to emanate from those desir-
ing to sell to the city the present
water plants, and that there has
been no effort on the part of those
interested to know the truth in ref
erence to owens river or to know
! 4, f,a Do n 12raa
may participate therein. The ex-
pense of maintenance Of such
plant would be comparatively little
beyond the initial cost, as the wa
ter would flow by gravity under
any desired pressure, while the
present supply is largely pumped at
heavy expense. 1t might be posi-
BILE, too, for Pasadena to secure a
proportion of the electrical power
referred to for its city lighting and
for other purposes.
Details of Plant
The advisory committee having
determined the quantity of water
required and the best source of sup
ply can then intelligently consider
THE CHARACTER OF DISTRIB-
UTING PLANT DEMANDED.
1t goes without saying that such
a plant should be scientifically
planned by an engineer Of unques-
toned ability. The pipe lines
should be of permanent construc-
ton, preferably of cast iron, of suf-
ficient strength to withstand any
desired pressure. The size of pipes
should be ample to meet every
emergency. especially in times of
extreme heat, causing heavy con-
sumption, or times of conflagration.
The distributing system should be
planned to reach every portion of
the city, including the so-called
"dry tracts" and districts now mad
equately supplied, and provision
should be made for expansion and
for the extension of the system
into districts likely to be annexed
to the city. The reservoirs should
be carefully planned and properly
located with view to reaching all
parts of the city under proper pres
sure. The feasibility of a high pres
sure system referred to should have
attention as effecting q decided
economy and great efficiency in the
handling of fires, with a probable
corresponding reduction in insur-
ance rates. II the city is to have