The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-16
THE WATER SUPPLY
IN SKOWHEGAN
District Plan Proposed
By Engineers
Green & Wilson of WaterYille Make
Report

SkoWhegan mas, perhaps, never
been thoroly satisfied with her sys-
tenn of water supply. Interest in
the subject has been renewed, of
late. thru an engineering report
which mas recently been made pub
lie This was prepared by Green &
Wilson of Waterville after prelim-
mary survey of the region which it
seemed advisable to consider. The
report is directed to Harvey D. Eaton
of that city who was the originator
of the District Plan. under which the
Kennebec Water District was organ
lied and which has since been extern
sively made use of in other parts of
Maine. This plan made it possible,
for the purpose of supplying pure
water. for one or more towns, or
parts thereof, to form Water Dis
trict and to incur whatever indebted
ness WAS necessary, regardless statu-
tory five per cent debt limit. Using
the district plan, Skowhegan could
organize a Water District or could
unite with other towns for the pur-
pose and this district could issue
bonds to whatever amount was re-
quired to buy the existing plant and
make the necessary Improvements.
The following comments, which are
taken from the Green & Wilson re-
port, above referred to, have in mind
the purchase and improvements just
suggested. 1t may be well to say
that the term main, as herein en-
ployed, does not indicate the larger
or principal pipes but is the engi-
neering term used to designate a
water conduit of any size.
At present the supply of water for
Skowhegan is taken from a small
brook just east from the village and
pumped into the mains at a pumping
station located near the source of
supply as is generally known in the
community. The pressure is main
tanned by the standpipe on the OPP
posite side of the village toward Nor
ridgewock A ten inch by twelve
inch main connects the pumping sta
ton with the stand pipe and an eight
inch main across the highway bridges
supplies the Island and that part
of the village on the southerly side
DF l,,.
drants on the system at present num-
ber II but according TO this report
while a 4-inch main will give one
good fire stream or two good fire
streams if the hydrant is fed for
both directions, provided the initial
pressure is at least 80 pounds per
square inch. The maximum pres
sure Of the hydrants on Water ST. are
however understood to be only about
average pressure must be consider
ably less The following sugges-
tions are given for the improvement
of these conditions namely, larger
distribution mains, more hydrants,
more pressure, a reservoir on the
south side of the river and another
river crossing, A six inch main is
suggested as a substitute for the four
inch main and the installation of 20
additional hydrants is also suggest
ed AS the system is laid out at
present, the portion of the village on
the southerly side of the river is sup
piled by a single S-inch main across
the bridges. Should anything hap
pen to this main about one half of
the entire system would be cut off
from fire protection. An effective
remedy mentioned would be the
building of a reservoir with a capac-
ity of 100000 gallons on the south
side of the river a supply which
would maintain four fire streams for
33 hours, or four days supply for do
nestle use. 1t is also recommended
that a second pipe be laid across the
river at a point just above the Great
Eddy. The cost of making these
changes and improvements would be
200. The sources from which
new supply could be obtained would
be from the Kennebec River at Show
hegan, Wesserunsett Lake in Madi-
SON Lake George, Embden Pond in
Embden, Wentworth Pond in Athens
and Solon and North or East Pond in
Smithfield
In the minds of the Civil Engineers
Wentworth Pond seems to be the
most practical source, but it is rec
commended that it be further examin-
ed to make absolutely sure that no
obstacles lie in the way and that
nothing exists which would material
ly increase the cost of construction.
The elevation of this pond is such
that it would furnish an all gravity
supply under pressure of 100
pounds per square inch on Water ST.
in Skowhegan, besides supplying safe
water for domestic purposes. 1t
would also give good fire protection
to the villages of West Athens,
Athens, Cass Corner. Madison Lower
Mills, East Madison and Lakewood.
There is no question about the