The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-12-11
WATER METERS
MAY S0ONICOSI
CITY $4,000
Board of Affairs Expects
Order From Public Ser
vice Commission.
4,4O0 OF THEM NEEDED
About 400 of Them Already
in Use-R ties for Meter
edlWater.

Ira Smith, Commissioner of water
and sewers, and other members OF
the City Board Of Affairs, have start.
ed an investigation into the value and
cost OF water meters in order to be
ready to carry out an order which the
Public Service Commission OF the
state has announced may be issued
shortly requiring that all wate.. be
sold by meter. Bids arc being recciv.
ed by various companies mauuiactur.
ing meters.
II viii cost approximately $4,000
to complete the installation OF wafer
meters Throughout tie city. about
400 meters are in use in stores, lac.
tories and homes III Eairmonl and it
will require an additional 4,40U me.
ters to July equip the city with sui.
decent meters to take care OF all the
water Services
Until the expected order from the
Public Service Commission arrives
the city is not required TO purchase
meters although any consumer OF city
water may haYeSa meter installed at
his own expense, the cost ranging
from $3.50 for a galvanized meier 10
ss.40 for a bronze meter. This price
Is for the size used in residences.
Larger meters such are used in stores
and factories cost much more. The
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad company a lew
months ago purchased metef for
the measuring of city water at cost
Of s1s5.
Arentali lis charged by the city when
the meter is installed at public ex-
pense but the rate Is barely high
enough to cover the depreciation OF
the meter. Asmeter will last from 10
to 20 years. In spite OF the TACT that
the expected order from the rubMc
Service Commission making the in
stallation OF mete:s compulsory, has
yet not arrived, Commissioner Smith
lis making arrangements 10 install me.
tiers as last as the finances OF the city
will permit and at least $40 adaltional
meters will be installed next year il
Mr.. Smiths present pans are carried
out. The rates for metered water ale
as follows:
Twentyth thousand gallons or less per
quarter, 80 centsSp per l,UUU gallons; l6r
the next 10000 gallons per quarter 20
cents per 1000 gallons; each auuitlon-
al 1000 gallons ~ cents per l,0UU gal.
Ions. hydraulic elevators, factories auu
steam laundfies six cents per 1000
gallons.
THE order OF tho Public Service
Commission relating to measured wa.
ter service and the proposed compul.
sorry installation of water meters Is
as follows:
Thei commission recommends that 0
utilities shall install meters when de.
manded by consumers except Tor fire
hydrants for spfinkling and flushing
streets Of municipalities. Meters shall
be furnished and installed at the ex.
pense Of the utility, which shall also
put in all service pipes from the main
to the property line at its own ex'
pense. Anyiappliance furnished ut the
expense OF theSu utility shall remain Its
property and may. be removed by 1t a,
any time after the Ediscontinuance Of
the service.
"The commission beliyes that the
fairest way to measure the value O
water Is by meter; but owing TO the
condit tons prevailing in West Virgin
ia 4 does not see its way clear al
the present time to adopt rule re
quiring all water to be sold by metel
Water utilities, however, will take
notice that It is the intention Of the
comnission TO adopt such a rule ant
bring eh1lt metered service as soor
and as rapidly as is practicable, ant
1t invites the hearty cooperation o.
the utilities in bringing about this me
tered service Ias soon as may be-