Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1911-08-31
WANTS METERS
IN ALL HOUSES
Commissioner Grieve Pre-
sents Statement to Water
Board on the Subject.
SUPPLY is GETTING LOW
Declares There Is Great
Waste and the Present
Rates Are inconsistent.
SUPPLY is GETTING LOW

That the city's water supply at
Runyon is running low because of
extensions to the pumping station
and great waste by the consy mers
paying a flat rate, and that I 1ere-
fore the city should be N tered
throughout and rates adjusted ac-
cordingly, was the statement OF
Thomas Grieve at an adjourned
meeting of the Board of Water
Commissioners last night. He ten
dered the board typewriter state
ment, In which he set forth that
the consumption Of water in this
city is considerably higher than in
other cities of which the board has
record. He stated 1t was found that
with new pump and higher
pressure the feature was accelerst-
ed, thus showing that more waste
goes on. He wanted to devise a
method of eliminating waste and
have consumers eoonomize, as in
that manner less water would have
to be pumped and there would be
saving to the city and consumer
alike, He advised meters be used
and the rates adjusted accordingly
and said he would like to invite
discussion. The subject was thor
ough1y talked over and future &C
ton may be taken at the next meet
ing. Superintendent A. H. Crowell
was instructed to prepare a chart
of statistics to show what meters
cost to procure and install, the cost
to keep them In repair and to read
them.
Small Consumer Pays More.
Mr.. Grieve said the small con-
sumner now pays fifteen cents q
thousand gallons, whereas large
maintained that was inconsistent,
but that the meter system might be
given popularity by revising the
rates. When asked what he would
charge the small consumer, Mr..
Grieye said about nine cents. Other
commissioners said that was rather
low. Mr.. Grieve said higher
charge, such as twelve-cent rate,
might be made, but he wanted some
change made 80 that the individual
would benefit In saving the water
and to charge for the amount he
uses by meter.
There are now 240 meters in the
city and about forty are being re-
paired That makes a total Of about
eleven per cent Of domestic con-
sumers metered, while consump-
ton per capita per day is regis
tered at ninety-four gallons.
Mr.. Grieve stated the feature Of
always extending storage system
would have to be eliminated. He
said 1t would not be long at the
present rate Of consumption before
new sources of water supply would
have to be looked for. 1t was
stated that the source of supply was
running very low, but the exces-
sive rain Of the past few days pre-
vented any shortage.
Mr.. Grieve's communication on
the subject follows:
Mr.. Grieve's Communication.
Suggestions relating to the water
In connection with water depart
ment and city Of Perth Amboy.
AS has been pointed out in a
previous article, the consumption of
water In this city is considerably
higher than other cities we have
record of. We find that with the
institution of the new pump, with
higher pressure, that this feature
is accelerated. This goes to show
that the water is used by the indi-
vidual more indiscriminately, or in
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