Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-04-17
NO WATER BILL
CUTS At TER MAY |.
Board of Works Decides on
Drastic Step to Halt
Waste.

BY its decision to make no adjust
ments or allowances on assessed
water bills after May /, the Board of
Works this afternoon took the first
step toward compelling all house
holders to install meters. The city is
rapidly approaching it's maximum
supply from the reservoirs, and water
waste is becoming a matter of great
concern.
Under the resolution presented by
Commissioner Kraemer, chairman of
the water committee. and adopted by
the board, no further reductions will
be allowed on water bills for premises
where the assessed rate is in force,
and on meter bills only when accom-
panied by certificate from a
licensed plumber.
The matter was first brought up i0
the meeting of the water committee,
when it was shown by Commissioners
Kraemer that the water department
from February Z to March s of this
year granted nearly 900 in reduc
tons on water bills.
As explained by the commissioner,
the present system of assessing water
rates by the department is based on
(a) meter readings, (b). assessed
basis
The former he declared to be fair
to both the city and the consumer.
Under this meter system the owner
of the premises has to reimburse the
city for all water that registers
through his meter, whether 1t be
waste or otherwise, and compels the
owner also to keep the plumbing in
good repair at all times. 1t also en-
ables the city to obtain an accurate
knowledge of its annual consump-
ton.
Commissioners Kraemer declared the
assessed basis" to be most unfair,
especially to the city, nasmuch as
the latter has to stand the loss of
waste water. The assessed rate" in
dwellings is based on the number of
families, number of faucets and fix
lures in use without regard to
amount of water that is consumed
or whether the consumption is con-
tinual or spasmodic
Notwithstanding the fact that the
city charges only a small amount for
each fixture in USE" Commissioner
stand the loss of water from leaky
plumbing or broken pipes, this class
of consumers flock to the water de-
partment when their premises are
partially vacant and claim reductions
in their bills. over 1900 such con-
sumers appeared at the department
from February to March 8, and by
various pleas, subterfuges and claims
secured big reductions in their bills.
The total of their bills was $10,600,
but this was reduced to $4,000.
mot only did the city lose the
amount deducted, but it also had to
paw salaries to an extra force of in
spectors to investigate the various
claims made. This class of con-
sumers is burden upon the city
and also creates an unfair situation.
Owners of properties where meters
have been installed are paying for
the amount of water consumed and
must necessarily pay for any leaky
fixtures or breaks that occur in the
house. To remedy these conditions
we suggest that immediate steps be
taken:
"First-Fix the assessed rate def
nitely and abolish Immediately any
further allowances upon assessed
bills: that the assessed rate be estab
lished upon the number of faucets
and fixtures according to the sched-
ule charges; the consumers who be-
lieves that he Is being overcharged
having the alternative of installing a
meter.
"Second-That owners of all prem
ises occupied by more than two fam
lilies, or used for any other purpose
than one or two-family dwelling,
be compelled to install meter
"Third-That no adjustment or al
lowance be made on meter bills, ex-
cepting on account of underground
or not readily discernible leaks, and
these only when certified to by IL
censed plumber"