The Delta independent., 1912-07-05
WATER INSPECTION
COMMISSION REPORTS
MANY CHANGES RECOMMENDED
and Reported Inadequate to
Supply City's Needs-Sewer
System also too Small.

Delta, Colo, July 2, 1912.
To the Hon. Mayor and Council of
the City of Delta, Colorado.
Gentlemen:-Your commission TO
whom was submit. ed the examination
of the conditions of the Delta Water
Works, reports as follows;
We began at the pressure basin
on Orchard mesa, June is, when we
found that / Il Gu #. of water per
second was being delivered to that
point from Doug hsI oon. This sup
ply being somewhat intermittent.
June 21-22.-A pitometer record
from 10 p. m. TO a. IN. showed a
delivery to town of 7.77 gallons per
second, or at the rate OF 67l,23S
gallons per "a hours. This test was
made as the top of the mesa
Immediately above the North Delta
canal, Sta B, and showed a velocity
of ,UO7 f. Ter second. The static
head varied greatly, running from
Ig pounds during irrigation hours TO
a pounds after 10 T. N. as shown by
a second run at this station June 21-
-. which showed delivery of 537,-
900 gallons per - hours, a decrease
OF 6S,l2S gallons.
June "a found 81 Gu. It. being de-
livered to pressure basin, or at rate
of 2s3,2OO. gallons per - hours.
June -25-Made pitometer test at
bend in pipe line 1000 feet below
basin, Sta. d, which showed a deliy-
cry rate to town of 6l3,440 gallons
per "a hours: Velocity S,647, area
S,O6S. time S:S0 a. N. to $50 a. m.
This run was made after the in
/ stallation OF two automatic air
valves, and reduced the head in
the pressure basin somewhat below
the spillway, thus using the surplus
of overflow OF vase, which We
found on the average to equal about
one-half the supply.
A measure ment of the supply
made July !, showed 81 Gu fl be-
ing delivered TO the pressure ba-
sin. a reduction in volume of .oS Gu.
II. since pune is. This may have
been occasioned by the decrease in
volume from the spring lines en-
rering below discharge of upper res
ervoirs
1t was found that after the Install
alton of the air valves mentioned,
that after its depletion from the ir-
rigation period, the main below the
pressure basin refilled in 2l minutes
as against > ~ hours, as formerly.
An effort was made from the
start to throw water into the Gar
net mesa reservoir after the irriga-
ton period had passed, but with
very Indifferent results.
During this time also the IL
inch check valve at foot of Meeker
street has been removed. We think
this should be replaced after prop
er cleaning and fabrication.
One air valve was placed on pipe
at junction of Leon and Fifth SITS,
which admits of free circulation
OF water in the main.
Several other air valves should be
installed at vital points on the line
and dead ends come ected to insure
free circulation.
This we believe to be of great i'm
portance as factor of relief.
There is a very great waste of
water through the sewers, which
were examined at seven points.
One basin of ESQ gallons was
found to be flushing every 40 min
utes. or about 80 times and S,+00
gallons of water per "a hours; the
others, while not so wasteful, were
far beyond reason under proper CON
ditions.
This, however, brings us up
against another deplorable situation
because of sewer system which is
entirely inadequate for the demands
made upon it by this city and in
consequence requires water for flush
ing greatly in excess of actual ne
cessities for reasonably adequate
system of sewerage.
Relief should be afforded for these
conditions.
Without making this report too
volumnous by details. of which there
are many, we conclude that, the
two S-inch water mains from pres-
sure and equalizing basins respect