The Detroit times., 1912-05-17
BOARD WANTS BIG SUM TO
IMPROVE WATER SYSTEM
CONTINUED from Page one.)

So per inhabitant for a population OF
500. 600 persons, which Will then be
only little over half the usual cost
of works in our large cities. and about
the same as those in similar cities on
the Great Lakes. For how long q
period this construction will be suffi-
cient it is hard TO say, but IL the city
continues its present rate of growth,
ii cannot be for long"
Prof Williams states the system has
been greatly overtaxed. During the
past year, he says the following CON
ditions obtained:
The capacity of the intake tunnel
was exceeded by l6 per cent, and the
old intake pipes resorted to for relief.
I'm the boiler house STA per cent
of the boiler capacity was cont!nu-
ously in service. with only 1874 per
cent in reserve against accident and
for cleaning and repairs.
In the engine room SO per cent OF
the pumping capacity was in service,
and was overloaded 10 per cent, with
only IA per cent in reserve against
accident, and this crippled engine,
capable only of pumping TO the low
service, and requiring twice the steam
per gallon of water pumped as the
new engines.
THE large supply mains OF the dis
tribution system were over-taxed 10
the extent of 60 per cen, in carrying
capacity, and the effect OF shocks due
to increasing and decreasing con-
sumption was increased fully 100 per
cent over the conditions for which
they were designed.
The foregoing, in bri-f, is the ex-
PLANTATION of breaking mains and de
ficient pressures, and unless immedi-
ate measures are taken 10 relieve the
oyer-worked parts, and provisions
made for the rapidly increasing de-
mands OF the future, Detroit viii be
confronted with an absolute failure o.
it's water supply system within a very
few months. With the utmost expedi-
ton I'm the construction of the recon-
mended extensions to the works, the
city will be forced upon short sup
ply OF water for the larger part Of the
ensuing year"
Prof. Williams thus summarizes
his recommendations:
"The immediate installation OF a
boiler plant Of not less than 900.
horsepowers of capacity, and the con
nection OF the same TO both the old
and new stations.
The immediate installation OF the
three engines now under contract for
the new station, and the connection
OF the inlet conduits TO the new water
gallery.
THE addition of hoods over the
suctions of engines Nos. !, 2 and 8
to increase their possible suction lift
and the changing OF engines Nos.
and 10 high pressure engines,
The installation OF a turbine pump
| ing plant i'm the shore shaft OF tee in.
take tunnel.
THE completion OF the Forest-ave
and High-st.. 4S-inch mains, as rec
commended by your civil engineer
with 30-inch branch from the latter
on Twelfth-st., to Basg-st., and the
| laying OF a 60-inch main from the
pumping station to the intersection
of Twelfth and Dalzelle-sts.
THE construction of a l2-foo: in
| take tunnel.
The laying Of the River Rouge dis
trict mains, as recommended by youl
civil engineer.
THE laying OF the Charlevoix and
| Michigan-ave. 4S-lnch mains 10 Liver
and Russell 42inch mains. as recon-
mended by your civil engineer.
THE installation OF coal handing
plant in the pumping station.
The laying OF the Baker and Dix
ave. 4S.inch, he st. Antoine AM
Palmer 42-inch. the Holbrook and
Hardwood 24-inch, and the IolDrook
and Russell 42-inch mains as recon-
mended by your civil engineer"