Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-07-06
COUNCIL FINDS THE
WATER COMPANY
To BLAME
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flow of the wells OF the American
Lumber pa n the railroad
and private wells on the
same strata as come of the company S
wells show an undiminished supply
The season is not drier than many in
the past when there vas no Interrupt
ton Of the water supply.
As is generally known, the popula-
tion of Albuquerque has increased
greatly during the past five years, and
especially during the past two years.
The consumption of water has in
creased at a much greater ratio than
the population during that period.
sewer connections have become gen.
eral. more new lawns have been
planted thar in any proportionate
period of. the city's history; several
miles of new streets have been con
structed during the past year., requir-
ing much water in their construction
and to preserve them from destruc-
ton afterwards. The city is still
growing rapidly, and will continue so
to do. Many miles of new sewer will
be built in the near future.
During this period, the company
has done nothing to meet this in
creased and increasing demand except
to sink three wells. 1t has not en-
larged its pumping plant: it has made
no provision for a larger reserve sup
ply. and it has failed, even, the pres
ent season, to clear of SAINT its pres
ent wells.
It's contract with the city and its
franchise provide:
The said company shall furnish at
all times for public and private U.S.
in said city, a good and sufficient
supply of good water as the same may
be draw noff through the pipes CON
Meeting with the mains of said watsr
works in all parts of said city where
such pipes may be, at a minimum
pressure of sixty pounds to the square
inch, at all times. unless prevented
through an accident to the reservoir,
engines, pipes or other apparatus or
machinery of the said company; pro-
vided, that any such accident shall
he repaired within a reasonable
time" The failure to provide an ade-
quate supply can not be deemed an
accident.
The city now rents 126 MIGRANTS.
Under another provision of the con-
tract, it is entitled, for hydrant rental
paid at this time, to $4,000, 600 gal
lone per annum, or nearly two and Il
half million gallons per month, for
city purposes. in addition to all wa
ter necessary for fire purposes.
The company has failed in its con
tract obligations during the past
week. Very little water was, or could
be used on@the streets all Monday,
Tuesday and "Wednesday, although
badly NEEDED for their preservation and
to insure the comfort of the people
during the high prevailing winds and
dust storms. During that time, cX-
cept for an hour or two each day, no
water vas available for cooking and
sanitary purposes, V e on the first
floor of any dwelling, and very little
then, and none whatever on the up
per floc RS. and lawns gardens and
vegetation generally suffered great
injury. Since the water from the
accquia has been surreptitiously
tuiltu lnNb tHe WcllS ny the conl-
pany on last Thursday night. there
has been good pressure.
The company contends. first. that
no shortage in supply exists: hat its
pumps are working. and have beer
working, to their fun capacity, and
hat they are raising and pumping
more water than ever before: and,
second. that there is a shortage occa-
stoned by drouth and an unprecedent-
ed use and lavish waste of water.
Mr.. Gillcnwater stated to the COM
mittee that the pumps were pumping
to their fun capacity, and to the
council on Friday night, that they
The falsity of both these statements
Is s1own by the fact that since the
accquia water has been turned into
the wells there has been a good pres
sure and a good supply. If the pumps
mad been pumping well water to their
Iul capacity. the additional acequi1
water could have had no effect on
ms pressure, because, if pumping to
NOR full capacity on well water. thcy
i"uid have pumped no more, either
ven water or acequia water, unless I
icequia water is more easily pumped
man wen water. If either Of these
'tatements is true, ii follows conClu-