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

capacity of this well is such that at
the ordinary rate of pumping and with
the limitations imposed by a suitable
suction seal and proper flow line for
filtering purposes, there Is only about
IA or Is minutes supply available for
the pumps, when filters are being
washed. This, in our opinion, is q
dangerous and inadequate protection
from accident, and will cause nervous
anxiety and very close watchfulness
on the part of the station attendants.
for fear that pumpage would exceed
filtration rates for any length of time.
We believe, therefore, that there
should be provided, as an extra to the
proposals made herewith and as a
necessary part of the plant at this
| site. clear water storage capacity. to
| the extent of not less than 100000 gal
Ions. in addition to the capacity of the
present well. This additional capacity
can be obtained by utilizing space un
| der the filter tanks, excavating the
rock encountered and providing q
suitable reinforced concrete floor
| This additional provision, together
with the clear water well. now avail
able, will provide more than one
hours supply between filter plant ant
the pumps, which will greatly relieve
the embarrassments of the situation.
! We have asked two of the bidder:
to estimate for us these changes
which they have very kindly done
lone states that lit can be completed
l for $2,700 additional (Pittsburg Fill
tration company, and the other (Nor
i wood Engineering company for So
$50.
! We are. however, confronted by thu
fact that in constructing an additional
clear water well in this mtnner, dan
ger is found in the fact that it ma
be emptied during the periods of III
usually high water, in which case 1t
bottom is liable to rupture. For thi
reason and for the further reaSol
that the rock and wet excavation /
considerable, it would be desirable
the entire plant could have been raise
perhaps six feet higher above th'
river level The disadvantage of thu
proposition is that the low lift pump
would have to raise approximate
100000 gallons of water against thl
additional head. This, however, w
think would be warranted by the az
should this site be adopted. We hav
, mot, however, included this change i
our estimates.
In further looking over the specif
cations, prepared by the city, unde
which the companies have made thei
, propositions, we would suggest, if
!. is decided to install the proposed plar
upon the river pumping station sit
4 and the contract is awarded on thes
: specifications, that the following SUI
: gestions should be incorporated in tn
= contract with the accepted bidder b
S fore the same is fully undertaken:
: 1. We believe that there should
Il guarantee TO the city, upon the pa
t lof the successful contractor, again:
e all patent suits or litigation due to Il
e USE VI any Ddlenltu dl llClc III luS III
J. lposed construction and during the lii
= of such patents The present speci
}, cations contain clause to this effeo
V but the bond, expiring one year fro
d the date of acceptance, does not,
e our opinion, hold the city harmle:
If under this clause after that date.
d .. We note that the specification
Il throw upon the city the responsible
r of selecting the depth upon whi'
e suitable and adequate foundation shs
n be found We believe that it would
D. better to impose this responsible
e upon the contractor
5. We would suggest that the dat
n of partial payments, predicated
t, they are upon the uncertainty of
e. termining when the contract is Oh
n fourth, or one-half or three-fourt
lie finished. may cause some disput