Evening journal., 1912-11-13
RATE EQUALIZATION Ann WATER WASTE.

nj far-minded Wilmngtonian Will object any plan
4 that may be devised by the Board Of Water Com
missoners to reduce to minimum the waste OF public
water and in addition. equalizc the water rates so
they viii bear fairly upon the various classes OF
sumcrs As we understand it, those the two fupda-
mental factors which undorly the proposal which
is pending before the board
II is estimated that under the system 100000
gallons OF water is wasted daily and that il something
be not done put an end TO that waste it will be
necessary the taxpayers in The near future bear
the expense OF providing 100000 extension Of the
existing water plant That is a condition which should
receive the serious attention Of taxpayers and water
consumers They should MOI condemn the changes pro
posed by the plan before the board until they have
acquainted themselves fully with the provisions and
probable effects of that plan.
In the matter Of water waste there is a division OF
responsibility The city is clearly responsible for the
underground waste and is its duty make the mains
and pipes tight that the waste due to under
ground leakage shall be done away with Then there
comes the responsibility for waste which attaches
those who defective water pipes and fixtures in
buildings It is clearly the duty Of all property
who have such defective pipes and fixtures TO do their
part toward putting end that part of tho waste
But, behind all that is the undcncd fact that in
city hundreds Of thousands OF gallons OF water are
wasted daily by the careessness Of men. women and
children They must be taught that while the Water
Department desires that each person shall have ample
water for his her personal needs t Is its purpose
it That is it should he person who deliberately
wastes public water is enemy TO the municipality.
person who thoughtessly wastes it should not OBJ
object II steps be taken TO him 10 bear in mind
constantly, when he is using water that he owes q
duty to the municipality Of which he is part
In all municipalities which conducted in busi-
ness-like way. this fight against water waste is being
prosecuted vigorously and relentcssly. In many the
work OF equalizing the charges for water has been
accomplished or is under way. There is nothing new
in what is proposed here Viewing it by the broad,
and without regard the several schedules 1t contains
the plan before Water Board is the cmbodi-
mont Of business wisdom in that proposes to emiu-
waste and make each consumer pay fair and
equitable rate for the service received.
II without saying that under the schedules
persons viii pay and others less than they
do now Were that not true there would be no prac-
tca for readiusting rates So long as those
who have framed the new schedules shall be able to
defend them against the arguments advanced by those
who discover they will be compelled to pay something
for the service than they under the existing
schedules think public sentiment will support the
equalization plan.
There certainly be no division OF sentiment in
the community with regard the desire put end
the water TO avoid the necessity spend
ing 100000 for tho enlargement of the water plant
In fact, no Wilmington consumer who has his own i'm
terest Al heart will refuse to Join in fight against
water waste regardless of plant extension Il is TO
his personal interest keep that waste to the lowest
possible mark not only by penalizng careless
but by seeing It that the city keeps its mains
and service pipes tight and that property owners have
their house fixtures In such condition that there is
no leakage
Taxpayers and vator should approach this
question with an mind and cooperate with the
Water Board in its desire to eliminate waste and
eaualize rates.