The Delta independent., 1915-06-18
SOME DoNT'S ON WATER
WORKS CONSTRUCTION.


of American City magazine of New
York, and was written by James X.
Livengood. city engineer of Delta:
During the year 1904 the city of
Delta, constructed a pipe line largely
of vitrified tile to Doughspoon creek.
When the snow goes off in May and
June. there is more than an ample
ample supply of water in the Dough
spoon; but after the line was con-
structed the city found it necessary
by the 10th of December to resort to
the use of its pumping plant on the
Gunnison river. and to continue pump
ing this Gunnison river water, which
is poor, with considerable alkali. un-
til about April l. Now it may seem as
though it was unnecessary to say.
Don't build a water system, especi-
ally one with long pipe line to small
springs or creeks, without first thoro-
ughly investigating the amount and
character of the water supply" but
the city of Delta made that mistake,
sven though, besides the regular city
engineer. it employed an engineer
from one Of the largest towns in the
state.
Such mistakes may sometimes be
caused by an engineer not liking to
advise work that would be criticised
by the thoughtless on account of its
expense If done on a per diem basis;
but, considering the importance of
knowing exactly what can be expected
of a water supply, 1t seems perfectly
proper for an engineer to advise such
work when the city officials do not
see the need of it. Some city officials
are inclined to follow the penny wise
and pound foolish" policy Of not
thoroughly investigating every phase
of the proposition. but again, say to
them. don't let the expense prevent
you from having your engineer collect
plenty of data as to amount and char.
acter OF water supply and as, to the
most feasible line.
After looking over the situation at
Delta, determined that the most
feasible point to connect with the
Doughspoon line was the best, and
made a survey for that purpose. with
an accurate estimate of the cost !
then made another survey for line
intersecting the Doughspoon line at
another point, and 12A miles long. in
stead Of about 9is miles. as was the
prepared I found that the longer line
could be build for little more than
the short one. A large part of the
fall on the short line occurred in a
Comparatively short distance. whereas.
the fall on the longer line was greater
and nearly uniform throughout the en-
tire length of the line. the result be-
ing that pipe of considerably smaller
diameter could be used on the longer
line. hence the slight difference in
cost
or course every waterworks system
has its own individuality, but I use
this instance Ia show that what may
appear the most feasible proposition
may be quite otherwise. The longer
line in Delta will prove the more econ
omical. for when 1t becomes necessary
for Delta to use the combined sup
ply OF both lines In the summer time.
the city will have to enlarge only ~
miles of line to connect with the equal
izing reservoir, whereas on the short
line 6h miles would have to be en-.
larged. When II is evident that two
or more surveys are necessary for
waterworks system they need not be
made as accurate as would be required
for construction until the better one
has been determined. This can then
be made accurate and adequate.
One of the main questions to be
decided upon in warterworks construc.
tion is the amount of water needed for
tho present and future, which practic-
ally means the size of pipe to be used
Again I say, don't put in pipe so small
that 1t will have to be dug up and re-
placed in few years: and don't put
in pipe of inferior Quality-another
question OF considerable Importance
Prior to this enlargement and extern
sion. the Sh mile line to the equalix-
ing reservoir. or the first az miles
Of the Doughspoon line. was built
largely of S-inch. cast iron pipe OF a
second grade and not of the standard
thickness for the pressure under
which 1t was working. and as u con.
sequence breaks were frequent. the
pipe was also too small to supply the
town. For about 5000 feet of the s.
inch line. 1o-inch steel pipe was sub
stituted. The 5000 feet of s.inch pipe
was transferred to the upper end.