The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-04-24
BIG WASTE OF
WATER IS FOUND
IN EAST ORANGE
Leakage of 1870, 900 Gallons q
Day Is Reported by Super
intendent A. A. Reimer.
MAY ASK FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF METERS
Many Civic Organizations, How
ever, Are Opposed
to the Idea.

The report of the experts who went
over the East Orange mains with Il
%pitoneter show that there is a daily
leakage or waste of 1920, 900 gallons,
most of which is caused by leaky house
fixtures, although the report shows that
in some Of the districts the eaks may
be on mains. Water superintendent
Arthur A. Reimer believes tina about
100000 gallons, a big estimate, may be
deducted for automatic devices and
legitimate use. The report was present
ed to the water committee of the City
Council last night.
Although nothing official has been
given out, it is said that the report
will lead to another recommendation,
that meters be installed in all the
houses and buildings of the city. an
IDEA which has been opposed by some
civic organizations. Mr.. Reimer In his
annual report had stated that there
was a leakage or waste of a million or
more gallons OF water q day. and the
report of the exports bears him out.
The city is divided into districts by
population and not area, this being done
because it was the belief of Mr.. Reimer
that the leaks were In houses and not
on mains.
The experts report states in part:
The Report.
Continuous gaging of the total sup
ply was made by placing a pitometer
on the 24-inch supply main on South
Orange avenue, just west of Norwood
street, and variations Of the consump-
ton.
From the gagings of the total con
sumption of the city we find that the
night rate averages GA per cent. of the
total daily consumption. Taking the
population at 80, 200, we find q total
average consumption and waste of
about so gallons per capita daily, with
a night rate of fifty gallons per capita,
which latter we believe is unnecessa.
rily high. From the tests of each of the
four districts 1t will be noticed that
the ratio of the night rate to the total
in each is very close to the same figure
which condition would suggest a gen
eral distribution of the leakage and
waste throughout the system. This in
d1cation was made by the ninety-three
subdivision measurements of nigh.
flow.
We conclude from these results, and
bearing in mind the density of popu-
lation, that the waste is nearly proper
tional to the number of consumers
throughout the city. There are, how
ever, several blocks in which the loss is
SO large as to indicate a leakage other
than that from fixtures. We would
therefore, recommend that in these
blocks night inspection of services be
made, using the aquaphone.
Good Condition.
In addition to our findings in regard
to waste we wish to compliment you
on the unusually good condition OF
street valves throughout the system, for
our work. which depends largely upon
proper valve operation, has not suffered
by means of defective gates.
The total daily consumption of the
entire city and q continuous record of
the variation of the same throughout
q period of sufficient length to establish
q good average and also reveal the
minimum night rate, which in a purely
residential city like East Orange may
safely be taken as q criterion of the
leakage and waste.
From the diagram of hourly variation
II will be noticed that the minimum OF
night rate continues between the hours
of IL D. m. and 5 a. IN. Also as it is a
fairly constant quantity (about 1,500, 000
gallons per twenty-four hours or about
80 gallons per capita, throughout this
time, when there should be little or no
use made of the water, a large part OF
1t may be assumed to represent a leak
age or waste which continues steadily
throughout the twenty-four hours OF
fha How