Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-08-31
RUNYON PLANT
IS DUPLICATED
improvements Practically
Complete Large Supply.

Duplication of every part of the
city's big water pumping station at
Runyon, which is now being complet-
ed, has made it one of the best
equipped and most modern water plants
in this section of the country. 1t is
now IN better condition than ever be-
fore in its history. The entire well
system is being overhauled and en-
larged. New walls are being added in
the southerly and westerly legs and
the water department s new well-driv-
ing apparatus is being used to good lad.
vantage in ~overhauling the older wells
in the e~asterly leg. Work has been
started upon a new aeration plant, by
means of which artesian water will be
made fit for human consumption and
the source of supply thus enlarged ex-
tensively.
No Fear of Water Famine.
The city need not be in fear of a
water famine for years to come, no
matter how dry a spell should come,
judging from general indications at the
pumping station, for the big plant is
equipped with every necessity and most
conveniences that could be- desired.
Every part of machinery is in duplicate
so that if one machine gives out there
is another one ready for auxiliary use.
1t is wen so with the source of water
supply. Wells drawing water from a
strata that produces clear and healthful
water are generally used. Water is
drawn from them by means of a vacu-
UNI system. 1t is thus sucked into a
big well at the side of the pumping
house, from which it is drawn by means
of a big 10000, 000-gallon capacity
pump and forced into the mains that
supply a big section that includes this
city, South Amboy and vicinity.
Aeration Plant in Use.
In case enough water cannot be Sc
cured, the aeration plant will be put
in use and the large quantities of ar
tesian water at hand will be made fit
for consumption. The aerating plant is
in the form Of a pond approximately
ITO feet wide and $50 feet long and FIVE
feet deep, into which artesian water
will be run and allowed to aerate,
which means iron contained in the wa
ter will be separated therefrom and set
tie to the bottom and the water Will
be drawn to the station and forced into
the mains. There is also brook water
in the "Deep Rum section and pond
water at hand for use in case of ne
cessity.
The power plant used for obtaining
and pumping water is contained in two
handsome brick buildings, near which
are five dwelling houses in which EN-
ployes at the works live. One build
ing was formerly the site of the old
Snow water pump, 1t is now being used
as a machine shop and contains a blow
er for the boilers. Behind this is the
boiler house, containing two sets of
duplicate boilers. Two Heinie boilers.
with late improved appliances including
top suction draft, were in use during
an inspection trip of Water .Superin-
tendent A. H. Crowell, City Electrician
Jay B. FRANKIE and newspaper men,
yesterday. Opposite these were two
boilers of the same size for auxiliary
use.
Three Huge Pumps.
10 the east observation-disclosures stands
the big, new engine house, which con-
talns three monster pumps, duplicate
suction engines, water heater for the
boilers and an electrical plant, which
furnishes light for the plant and the
dwelling houses nearby. The new Wis
consin pump, one of the most modern
and handsomest of engines in this sec
ton, was in use during the inspection
trip yesterday, having been running con
ming night and day for weeks. 1t has
a capacity of pumping 10000, 900 gal
Ions a day. In event that gives out.
there is an 100000 gallon Worthing-
ton and a 100000 gallon Snow pump
for auxiliary use. A new connection is
at present being made between the
Snow pump and the big well.
Over 100000 Gallons Daily.
The present average pumpage per
day is about 1000. 900 gallons. The
day, when the consumption is from
twenty-five to thirty per cent greater
heaviest pumping is done during the
than at night. The average pressure at
the station is 10 pounds. While in
tins city it is seldom over thirty pounds
due to the fact that so much force is
lost in friction because ofthelongrun.
The entire pumping works comprises
a big investment. Besides the build
lngs and equipment, it includes appro-
xlmately $50 acres of wa~ter-producing