Gilpin observer., 1911-05-04
WATER commIss,oNER's REPORT

Water Commissioner r. G. johnson
submitted at the last meeting of the
city council:
To tho Honorable,
The Mayor and Aldermen Of the
City Of Central:
Gentlemen:-
In submitting my annual report for
the year just closed there is but
little to say that has not been gone
over in previous statements in re-
gard to our water system as whole.
Some small improvements have been
made during the year just closed and
many more should be considered as
fast as the finances of the city will
allow.
A good and splendid water system
is the pride of all good citizens and
as we are blessed with good and
splendid water" it should be our
chief aim to construct our work on
the SAND basis.
We have had full reservoirs all
winter and small overflow at most
all times.
Advised in my former report that
the old wooden pipe line leading from
Academy reservoir to south cast cor
ner of Teller House be relaid and a
IS" cast iron line be installed. am
still of the same opinion in regard
to this matter.
Also advised in my former report
that the service lines which were In
stalled when our water system was
built, are beginning to show signs OF
weakness, common block pipe was
used at that time and as the pres
sure is heavy in the business part
of the city these services should be
condemned and re-laid, either at the
cost Of the property owner or the
city, as the council may deem proper
The high line on East, 9Th street
was re-laid for distance of 300 feet
also the high line on the upper end
of Spruce street was relaid for a
distance of 200 feet. By doing this
work the flow was increased suffi-
ciently to supply the demands.
The springs and pipe lines in the
Tascher and Wilson ranches are in
about the same condition as a year
ago. The fences on the lower Wilson
ranch have been kept up.
The main tile pipe line from the
upper Wilson ranch to Peck gulch
does not give up the proper flow
and also leaks in many places. l op-
ened this line at different points
last fall and found that the joints
of the tile pipe had been improperly
made and also that roots were grow
ing quite fast inside of the pipe.
The main tile line from Peck gulch
to Miner gulch intake does not carry
the volume of water that it should
l also opened this line at different
points ard found ridges Of cement on
bottom of inside of pipe where the
joints had been made. This obstruc.
tion would naturally retard tho water
flow.
These tile pipe lines will be quite
problem as time rolls on, the roots
that have entered the pipe grow
from year to year and decrease like
wise the water volume.
The intake in Miner gulch should
receive some attention and l would
suggest that the council visit this
point in a body and consider the
matter of improvement or reconstruc-
tion on the ground.
The Jim Peak road was extended
to. within 700 feet of the end of road
leading to lake and but little work
is required to connect this point.
There is also very important mat
ter in relation to perfecting titles to
our water sheds and would advise
that the matter be pushed with all
possible speed. These water rights
are valuable and should be secured
to our citizens beyond the shadow
pf doubt.
When title is perfected for these
water rights, the city has gained the
cost by many times, as an asset,
II not now to future generations.i We
will be compelled sooner or later to
extend our main pipe lines to the
fountain head and when this condi.
tion confronts us. we will then be
in position to overcome it.
The new system in regard to the
collection Of water rates seems to
be working much better than the old
method followed SO many years, but
believe 1t could be improved on, in
some respects.
Believe the meter rates should also
be revised.
TAtn v&rtx, 70