Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-06-27
AN ANTIQUATED
WATER SYSTEM
Harry Heermans, With Large
Experience, Tells the City
Council a Few Things
THE FINANCIAL PROBLEM
Gravity System Only Modern
Method Routine Busi-
ness of the Council


Mayor France, H. C. Heermans of
the Hoquiam Water company ad-
dressed the city council Wednesday
evening on the subject of a water
system, the object being to secure
information and data for guidance
in bettering the system of that city.
Mr.. Heermans related some of his
experiences during the "a years he
had been operating water plants
and stated the system now in use in
Aberdeen is considered an obsolete
curio by waterworks men.
"The Holly system, under which
you are operating, is very bad one,
where the pumping is direct to the
mains, with fluctuating pressure,
Mr.. Heermans said. "It was once
best adapted for towns built on a
level, but is not to be relied on in
cases of great demand, such as fire.
Your pumps failed when the fire
started here several years ago, and
you are today helpless to prevent a
repetition of that disater."
Mr.. Heermans advised the install
lation of gravity system without
delay, and stated that if he were op-
Grating the Aberdeen plant as a pri-
vate concern he would build reser-
voir for fire protection. Reservoirs,
he said, had been found preferable to
standpipes where elevation can be
secured.
with direct pumping to the
mains you have constant pulsation,
or water-hammer, causing excessive
strains and more damage to pipe
than great steady pressure" he
said. Spokane burned under the
Holly system, and now has two res
,ervoirs to provide steady pressure"
One advantage of the reservoir sys-
tenn, Mr.. Heermans said, is the ease
and economy of operation. The num-
ber of employees could be reduced
from six to two, because enough wa
ter could be pumped in one eight
hour shift to last "a hours. The
100000 gallon reservoir at Ho-
quiam cost $4,000, including part
of the pipe system, and the new res
ervoir will cost between $4,000 and
$4,000. Its capacity will be 9,000,-
900 gallons.
The council extended Mr.. Heer.
mans a vote of thanks for his valu.
able advice and information.
The Election Problem
The committee to whom was refer
red the lighting problem at a former
meeting of the city council, reported
tonight that after a thorough inves.
tigation. it had concluded it best for
the city to either purchase or build
a lighting and power plant. The
members took up with several mill
companies the subject Of purchasing
power and light from them, but were
unable to obtain any definite offer,
as the millmen did not feel like TAX
ing hold of the matter
This committee, which consists of
Messrs. Pearsall, Egerer and Evans,
recommended that the ways and
means and finance committees and
city attorney work out plan where
by the city may raise sufficient funds
by bonding or otherwise to erect and
operate a municipal plant; that the
engineer be authorized to locate, If
possible, practical site somewhere
in Chehalis county for plant to
be operated by water power; that the
falls of the Wishkah river be inves-
tigated Immediately with that end
in view.
Property owners in the vicinity of
the Western Lumber company, the
Western Cooperage and the Federal
mills filed petition asking that
these companies be compelled to in
stall waste burners. The petition
ers allege it is impossible for them
to keep tenants in their buildings
because of smoke, cinders and dan
ger from fire. The petition has A
signatures.
The Grays Harbor Rod and Gun
club was given a permit for contin-
ued use of the old shooting grounds
in South Aberdeen.
The petition of John Merrigan for
completion of grade on l street, that
in it's present condition is a detri-
ment to his property, and against
which there is an assessment for
$3.50, was referred to the engineer
and street committee.
A new dog license ordinance re.
quires a 50 fee for males and SO for
females