Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-03-27
WATER WORKS STATISTICS.
Mr.. E. D. Wheeler, Wa-Keeney.

give you few facts concerning
the Lincoln municipal water and
electric light plant.
Bonds were voted here in the
sum of $3f, 500 in the fall of 1905.
The system was completed and
started in operation in October,
1906.
The systems are built as d
combined plant, using one power
house and one engine for the two
purposes of producing light and
pumping the water. AS origi-
nally completed the plant con-
sisted Of 100 horse power gas
producing engine, about four
miles of water mains, running
from s down to 2 inch, 70,0OO
gallon steel tank on an so foot
steel tower, % hydrants for fire
protection, electric light wires
fairly well covering the town,
with Is arc lights. This cost US
about S38, 900, the difference be-
tween this amount and the
amount of the bonds being paid
by direct tax levy.
The first year the plant did not
| pay operating expenses. But
from the start the number of
users of both light and water has
| steadily increased until now
there are about 120 water users
and $50 electric light patrons.
The plant is now paying operat-
I, ing expenses and running at a
| profit. In fact the water mains
have been extended until they
are out five miles, the business
having paid for the extensions.
We have also put in several hun
dred incandescent lights for
street lighting purposes, and the
business also pays for these ex-
tensions.
The rates for water and light
service fixed by the city were o."
iginally based on the charges
made by private water and light
companies operating in towns in
this portion of the state, but af
ter the plant was in complete
operation, it was found that the
rates were higher than neces-
sary to meet operating expenses
and as the city was not in bust
ness as a speculation, the rates
were reduced. Consumers OF
light are now paying at the rate
of II IL cents per Kilowats up
to 80 KilowatS, consumers who
use more than 80 KilowatS per
month are given a rate of 10
cents. The water rate is Is
cents per 1000 gallons up to So
600 gallons per month; above
this amount of water, the rate is
s cents. These rates are consid-
cred very reasonable and are
giving unqualified satisfaction.
Flat rates were originally estab-
lished, but they have been abol-
ished and now patrons simply
pay for what they use on meter
rates as named.
There was originally consider
able objection toLincoln putting
in the system, but now every
one is we'll pleased Besides
paying operating expenses, the
fire protection and the street
lighting service if purchased
from a private company would
cost the city about 1920 per
month. This is not the only adj
vantage derived from the sys-
tenn. Since installing the water
works, our insurance rates have
been cut an even 10 per cent
which amounts to quite an item
in the course of a year.
The only tax in connection with
the entire project is a tax for in |
terest and sinking funds, and |
had we continued at the rates !
originally established, the in |
come from the business would 7
have been sufficient to have met |
these fixed charges; but it is the
belief of our city administration
that this burden should be borne
by the tax payers of the city /
generally as all are benefited, /
and not alone by the consumers
of light and water so the original
rates were cut as above mention
ed, and the interest and sinking
funds are being raised by taxa
tion.
If your city is thinking of put
ting in water works, the first I
important thing is to be sure of
an adequate water supply all else
will be easily provided for.
Our water supply is secured
from large wells on land adjoin-
ing the town site. Our first well |
was twenty feet in diameter and
was fOl-fU-fiyn foot daoo uritb