Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-30


which not only appeared interesting
to us at the outset, but which have
grown upon us hourly as we studied
the situation.
Were the city to construct a filter
plant at the river pumping station
and abandon entirely the existing OPP
portunilies attached to the hill plant
so far as filtration is concerned, ii is
evident that it would be necessary to-
duplicate existing constructions on the
bill, which is favorably situated; to
Go which would necessarily increase
the cost of the proposed plan. We
have very carefully thought over all
OF the objections made 10 locating the
proposed new filter plant upon the
hill, and have come to the conclusion
that it is the interest of the city to
utilize the sedimentation basins of the
existing hill plant, together with the
clear water basin, rather than recon
struct new basins and reservoirs in
the more difficult and hazardous loca-
ton at the river pumping station.
The advantages which the hill site
offers are, briefly:
l. That there is ample land for fu-
ture extension of the plant
2. That there are sedimentation ba-
sins available at suitable elevations
above the clear water reservoir, which
have a combined capacity of 100000
gallons of water, and with some ex-
pense for battle walls, can be made
available for the preliminary stage of
| filtration.
.. That there is clear water res
ervoir of G,000,000 gallons capacity
so situated that the raw water, after
passing through the coagulating ba
sins, may be filtered by gravity through
an up-todatc mechanical filtration
plant, similar in all respects TO the
plans submitted, and may be discharg
cd directly, without pumping, into
clear water reservoir adjacent.
| 4. That no rock excavation is to be
/ encountered nor will the construction
of a plant at this site be endangered
| by high water or other hazards to bt
encountered at the river site.
8. That there exists upon this sit,
proper sewers and other connections
which will be convenient and useful.
6. That all first cost and opera
ting expenses of low lift pumping 10!
luneconomical machinery will be avoid
ed, so that the entire pumping ma,
be continued by the present efficien
thigh duty engines at much less COS
in annual operation.
| Z. That all embarrassments, due t,
1.-THE lack of sufficient clear water res
lervoir at The river station between
the filtration plant and the pumping
engine will be avoided.
s. That all danger, due to UP
/, thrust, during high stages of the riv
/, er. upon the floor of the sedimentar
basins, at the river pumping station
Will also be avoided
: 8. That the plant can be mucl
more quickly completed and put int
use at the hill site, owing to free
dom, from floods, absence of roe
excavation and the saving in coagu
, lent basin construction
: 10. That proposition made 70
in this letting under suitable guarar
ties, taking advantage of these cor
: ditions, demonstrates an approximate
saving in first cost to the city of nc
less than $4,000.
II. That an annual saving in OF
: Grating expenses of not less tina
3 $500 will be affected
> We have weighed carefully eac
Q and all of the different advantage
4 in our minds with the disadvantage
which have been suggested to us, an
t which are necessitated by the adoy
: ton of this policy. These disadval
/ tages are as follows:
: |. That the construction materi;
d would have to be hauled up to til
+ hill at an increased cost.
II 2. That the operation of the plan
in a manner we believe would /
: most satisfactory, would necessitat
: the hauling of the coagulent to tn
e site, amounting to perhaps one-ha
q to three-quarters ton per day. 1t
- IptOpdpie that dTTdHSeHlenIS cOulO
r made with the traction company fl
/ this transportation by means of
n spur track in the ground, at the re
ervoir.
3. 1t has been objected that ra
/ water will have to be pumped by IL
/ present high grade pumps at IL
river station, which show excessi,
/ wear and tear from the grit encoun
n cred in this work.
Isl 4, That the wash water must I
IL pumped to the hill plant
eI 5. That there would be divide
operating force.
II 6. That the reservoirs on the h
I are not entirely tight and must be I
} paired. To this latter objection v
would suggest that this must be dol
y in any case, as their use will, in Il
l. future for storage, necessitate SUI
expenditure by the city.
L 1t is not necessary for us, at tn
u time, to enter into detailed di
1t cussion of all of these objection
n suffice it to say that we have weighs