Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-20
SHUTTING OFF WASTE
Water Registrar Tells of e.
forts to Stop Leaks.
METERS MOST effective
People Quick to Fix Pipes When
They Have to Pay.
NOT MANY IN USE, HOWEVER
,nly "a Per Cent of Total Number
of Services So Equipped-Keep-
ing Close Watch.
NOT MANY IN USE, HOWEVER

annual report of Water Registrar George
w Wallace, which was submitted to the
Commissioners today.
The principal waste in establishments
where water is used. it is stated can De
traced to small houses; but a system OF
inspection has been inaugurated to put
stop to as much of the waste as possible
..One of the many instances OF the
amount OF water saved by this system OF
supervision will serve to illustrate Its EN-
ciency'' says Mr.. Wallace. 1.-The regis
tration of the meter in a small house IN
dictated an extraordinary consumption
since last reading. and on examination OF
the premises hydrant was found run
ming nearly full head, in addition to other
leaks of minor character. Notices were
served on both occupant and agent ana
the water promptly cut Off. Had TINS
wastage been allowed to continue 10 tne
end of the year 5.721.9IO gallons or wa
ter would have been consumed tbased on
the actual meter measurement and the
bill would have amounted to $22SSS.
"As a further illustration of the excel
lent work performed by the meters, IN
cutting down the waste OF water. In many
instances after leaks have been remed1eu
on notice from this office later readlng
revealed the fact that other leaks hao
developed in the meantime. In some cases
as many as six repairs have been mace
in as many months.
Meter the Surest Detector.
In no way can such conditions be con-
troled except by meter. without great
expense, and then too, the fact that all
water that passes through the meter,
must be paid for is an enormous factor
in bringing about speedy repairs and
reasonable use of water. In the majority
of excess
nual minimum rate leaks nave Deeh
found which were only remedled aiter
warning from this office and the Dill TOT
excess has been rendered. 1t Is safe to
predict that all leaks in those premises
hereafter will receive the prompt atten-
ton of the occupants.
Outlining the methods OF the water
registrar in cutting off and preventing
leaks in water pipes connected with the
Districts SYSTEM Mr.. Wallace says:
Special attention has been given dur
ing the past year to the cutting OH OF
abandoned water services at the tap in
the main, thus eliminating continuous
source o. trouble from leakage. due to
old pipes. During the year ,oS2 services
of this kind were cut off.
The abandonment of these services is
caused by buildings being torn down, new
services being introduced and larger
supply being required.
Vacant Houses Cut Of.
I'm order to prevent leakage of water
in vacant houses, also as protection to
the revenue, as soon as the vacancy oc-
the water supply is cut off and is
not restored until the house is re-occu-
pied. The supply of 6o1 vacant houses
was cut off during the year.
Private meters in business establish
ments that exceed 100000 cubic feet
quarter are read weekly, and a state
ment of the consumption is recorded on a
ord ovid cd hui Nff1 ,fDh sr
posted in some convenient place on the
premises. This plan has proved most
satisfactory both to the consumer and to
the office. inasmuch as 1t has reduced
the number of arguments In regard to
large bills to minimum. BY this method
the owner of the place is kept In touch
with his account from week to week,
which has resulted in prompt action on
his part in cutting down all waste Of
water
Private meters where the consump-
ton does not exceed 100000 cubic feet
per quarter are read monthly. If the
consumption shows an extraordinary use
of water an examination is made for
leaks. and If any are found the respon-
sible party is notified.
Detector meters are examined monthly
and If any show registration an inves-
tigation is Immediately made as to the
cause and explanation demanded.
District of Columbia meters in mu-
nicipal institutions are read monthly and
leaks or wastes are found.
Methods Of Inspection.
District of Columbia meters installed
on service pipes supplying private resi-
dences read at frequent intervals.
averaging about once a month. Where
the consumption is greatly in excess
for that portion Of the year based on
the amount allowed per annum in con-
sideration of the payment of the $3.50,
in advance, special reading cards are
made up, and these houses are kept
under constant observation. Where
leaks are found in metered premises
the occupant and agents (if thew have
request on file for such information)
are notlhed, and in case no attention Is
paid TO such warnings and the leaks
are large enough to justify such action
the supply is discontinued until :he
proper repairs are made. For eonven-
fence In handling such accounts houses
are divided into three classes: First =
Large houses where considerable water
Is required in such cases II abnormal
use of water is indicated by the meter
the occupant is notified by card to that
effect and the case is dropped Second
Medium-size houses; if the consump-
ton Is found to be excessive a notice
is sent to that effect, and if, after
reasonable time, no change is observed
an examination is made. and if leaks
Are found the occupant is again notified
chat IL this condition is allowed to con-
tinue large bills will naturally result.
Third-Small houses which are occt.-
pied in many instances by irresponsible
parties; in such cases where an cx->
traordinary wastage of water is found
the supply is discontinued after one
notice has been served"
Installing Meters Slowly.
The report shows that the work of in
stalling meters is not keeping pace with
the increase in the number of new service
connections made. Ii is shown that 2. OS6
new service connections were made during
the year and that only 1858 water me-
tiers were installed during the year There
now 14.5I9 meters in service. or "a
per cent of the total number of water
services, 6U,l17.
The average cost to consumers OF water
is summarized follows: Average pay
ment for premises in which meters were
installed by the District of Columbia
$3.50: average payment for premises in
WHICH private meters were installed,
$6i-4 average payment for domestic pur-
poses and business in connection there
with. schedule accounts, 1916; average
payment for business purposes schedule
ACCOUNTS, 6.43.
Frederick w. Miller an Instructor.
Frederick Woodville Miller has been
IT.