The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-12
BIG new PUMP
1t Is Now Being Installed at
the WaterWOrkS.
Will More Than Double Present
Pumping Capacity.
ADDS 5000, GALLONS DAY
1t Weighs 100000 Pounds and
Costs $4,000.
Old Pumps to Be Repaired and
Rates Reduced.

The site of the city pumping station.
| west of Topeka, is the scene just now
| of much activity. Workmen, under
the direction of Erecting Engineer c.
L. Phillips, are busy installing the big
new pump that will more than double
the present pumping facilities of the
city. And where usually there is only
the hiss of escaping steam and the
steady tkrobbing of the pumps. the
sound of heavy hammers now is heard
and the voices of men calling instruc-
lions from the depths of the pit where
the machinery is being placed.
The new pump, which has daily
ca Dacity of 100000 gallons of water,
came to Topeka on five cars. 1t weighs
100000 pounds. 1t is being installed
in a new addition to the Waterworks
building, in a pit that places it con-
siderably below the level OF the
ground. The contract price for the
pump is $21, 1000 while the addition to
the waterworks building cost the city
a little less than $1,000.
The rev pump is built on the prin-
ciple of a gigantic human heart. Its
big fiv wheel will run between two pis-
tons. each of which connects into
double pump cylinder. Inside the cyl
inders and vacuum chests are almost
innumerable valves, each opening and
closing automatically as the water
flOWS IN through SucIlOH, anu tioA
flows out through the force of the pow
erful strokes of the steam driven pis-
tons. There are about $50 valves in
the pump, according to Mr.. Phillips,
each opening to let the water come in,
and each closing 70 force the water
out another way.
1t Will Take so Days.
The pump was purchased from the
Allis- Chalmers Manufacturing Co., of
Milwaukee, Wis. Mr.. Phillips is erect
ing engineer for the manufacturers
and is here to see that the mig ma
chine is properly Installed and put
into operation. Then he will turn it
over to the city's engineers. - Will
require nearly SO days to fin:sh the
installation.
that in which the new bump is beiE;E
installed are the two pumps TINT lave,
for many years, supplied the city win
water. Under ordinary circumstances
one of them is sufficient for the city's
needs. But in case of big fiIe it
requires both pumps to supply me de-
m-and. The pumps have capacity CT
about 100000 gallons a day each, or
quarters of the capacity of the new
pump. Because both of them might
be needed at almost any time, and
as both need repairs, it became i'm
portant that the new pump be bought
and installed. And also, looking to
the future, when the Topeka v alter
mains will be extended much farther
than they are now, the new pump was
ought big enough to supply all de-
rianGs for many years to come.
Old Pumps to Be Overhauled.
AS soon as the new pump is tested
and found to work all right one of the
old pumps will be taken down and
thoroughly overhauled. When it is fin
ished the other will be taken down.
Commissioner F. M. Newland, under
whose department the work is done,
believes that machinery should be
given a rest He believes also that he
should have some additional machin-
cry in case of an accident The new
machine will furnish all that is needed
in the way of pumping apparatus for
many years. and will permit repairs to
be made on the old machines whenever
they need it. 1t will also enable the de-
partment to shut down one of the
pumps any time for a rest-which the
big machines need almost as badly as
the tired muscles of human bodies, af-
ter hard days work.
When the new pump has been in
stalled and tested, if there have been
no accidents and no serious, unexpected
expense, Commissioner Newland will
begin planning for reduction in the
water rates to domestic consumers in
Topeka, and believes a decided reduc-
ton can be made.
The installation is being done under
the general supervision of Jesse Shaw,
superintendent of the waterworkS, and
Commissioner NPWl9nd