Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-01
PLANS TO ELIMINATE
WASTE OF WATER BY
NEW SERVICE METHODS
Chief Davis Urges Change in
Furnishing of Supply for
Street Cleaning and
Similar Purposes
WOULD REMEDY DEFECTS

New methods Tor supplying water for
street cleaning and for other purposes OF
similar nature were advocated by Chief
Carleton y. Davis. Of the Bureau of Water
today The plan would give additional COM
Tort TO many Philadelphians Chief Davis
said; would remedy many defects in the
service and at the same time leave the FIRE
hydrants--which are OF the utmost impor-
tsnce for the preservation of the city--free
and in perfect condition ready to cope with
any emergency.
The city has used more water this sum
mer than ever before in It's history. Chief
Davis explained "At least all records were
broken on August "a last" he said. when
nearly 552,000o 900 gallons were filtered at
the city plants in one day. II is the largest
amount ON record in the bureau files"
This immense volume of water, in the
opinion of the Chief, prophesies. no doubt.
that The worst Is yet to come: and re-
eardless of the important problem of waste
and new flterins plant which are con-
fronting the bureau, other measures are
problem, one which would serve the best
interests Of both city and citizens alike.
WASH PEGS NEAR FIRE HYDRANTs
Chief Davis's plan. which he says would
not entail any great expenditure Of money.
calls for the installation OF special wash
pegs near FIRE hydrants In special boxes
opening flush on the pavement. The boxes
persons authorized to use them. The pegs
would connect with one and one-ha1f Of two
inch pipes entirely Independent Of the six
Inch pipes connecting with the fire hydrants.
IT has been estimated that rs per cent
OF the water used from fire hydrants is
wasted he said I'VE have young Mag
aras flowing down the streets on many occa-
sions and causing an untold waste.
THE bureau, feel sure, has no intention
OF depriving some of the younger inhabi-
tants OF the city of the chance of getting
cooled or when the city is sizzling under a
midsummer's sun. Yet the practice of
opening fire hydrants by unauthorized per-
sons must stop.
Smaller pipes. accessible from boxes
hush on the street would answer the same
purpose and while checking waste to |
great extent would supply street cleaners |
and watering wagons with the water they |
need flush playground streets, perhaps, and |
AFFORD suitable accommodations for water
troughs. whether put up by the city or by |
charitable organizations.
Systematic and widespread flushing of |
the streets now is insisted upon by health |
authorities as preventive measure against
the spread of infantile paralysis This |
means an additional use OF water when the |
resources OF the bureau are strained to the
utmost even to meet ordinary demands
WATER WASTED BY FLUSHING
nXQrant4 rA
opened by boys and children and enough
water goes to waste down the sewers ef.
fecttvely to flush many miles of streets
IL Is hard TO stop this practice because OF
the feeling that the water affords a relief
from the terrific heat In conCested dis
tricts. AS matter OF fact the amount Of
water running down the cutters is entirely
out of proportion TO the cooling results A |
small hose would be Just as effective as the
young Niagara have just mentioned.
Time and time again the children tire
of padding and 60 OF leaving the hydrant
going at full stream. We have many calls
- shut OF the fireplugs where water was
doing considerable damage.
"This habit OF young Philadelphia must
be controlled There is not enough water
to 90 around. and the community must
realize that a million gallons used in this
way means just that much
less for Systematic flushing of streets in
the endeavor TO prevent the spread of in
fantile paralysis or for other useful pur.
poses"
"The police at specified times will omen
the plugs" Chief Davis continued "and
children can take their baths under the
supervision of responsible persons The
plan will be worked out in more detail at
an early date. The plan calls for the daily
opening OF water plugs on playground
streets under police supervision"
FIREPLUGs DAMAGED BY BOYS
1t was explained that under present con.
ziticns fire hydrants are damaged 70 a
marked extent by boys and irresponsible
adults, who open or attempt to open them
with wrenches. Many complaints are re-
celved at the Bureau of Water from fire.
men, who. when responding TO alarms find
The plugs damaged and have great difficulty
m opening them. "oftentimes they cannot
be- opened at ALL" Chief Davis said.
THE danger to the city readily can be
lean. g
Furthermore. when hydrants are left
,pen boys or other persons seem to take de-
ight In dropping in stones. We eten find
hoes and articles of all kinds when we
lean them. Such practice must stop
smaller pipes will answer the same pur-
lose and an arrangement viii be made SO
hat fire hydrants can be opened only when
leeded."