Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-30

One Of the most important cas-
90 being tried before the people
OF Missouri Valley soday is the
Meter System vs.. the Flat Rate
system. II Is an important case
in that il concerns materially ev-I
cry municipality, large and small,
in our country today. A water
plant is the most vitality interest
ing public utility in the city, for
it is Of deep concern to the health
|Of the community; it is the first
consideration in the establishing
LOT sanitary measures. II affords
fire protection to the community,
reducing fire insurance, and is
far away the most essential i'm
terest in the city when judicious-
~ managed.
The great question Of waste
has been the bugbear Of managers
Of water departments; and how
to overcome it has been q much
m00ted question, seriously dis
cussed in all water works con-
|ventions. There is but one me-
thOd to overcome the vast prob
lem and that is the installing Of
reliable water meters. All man
ayers Of water departments have
long since realized the import
ance Of the meter system, and to
that end are making investments
in the purchase of reliable water
meters, rather than to procure at
great expense. new pumping ma
|chinery to keep up with the in
creased or abnormal consump-
ton, due to continued waste.
Looking the proposition square
ly in the face, we must all admit
that the meter system is the only
just and equitable method OF
buying or selling water. In conse-
quence the flat rate or guess sys-
tenn, which it really is, is being
largely discouraged by all fair
minded persons Of intelligence
conversant with the water bust
ness.
It is just as reasonable and as
logical to maintain that the gro
Ger, butcher and milk dealer all
should throw away their scales
and furnish you with their pro-
ducts at so much per year, basing
their charge according to the
size of your house or the frontage
of your lot, regardless of the
number Of persons in your fam
lily or the amount of provisions
used OF wasted, as to claim there
is anything just or equitable in
selling water by the flat rate sys-
tenn.
We are pumping at the present
time 100 gallons of water for
every man woman and child in
the city OF Missouri Valley per
day and when I go down to the
mouth of the sewer and see the
water that flows out I wonder at
keeping the city supplied at all.
An ordinance governing con-
sumers of water, Section 4. In
all cases where consumers of
water have made connections
with the public sewer he shall be
required to install meter and all
water furnished to such patron
shah be paid for at the meter
rate. All meters must be install
led under the supervision and
direction of the water commits
sioner and such meters are to be
furnished by the city to the con-
sumer at the actual cost to the
city.
This is one of the ordinances
and there are others that APP.
phys to the persons that ALLOW
their yard hydrant to leak ant
run without fixing--is liable tt
meter and fine and as fast al
you get notice to put on metel
do SO. Don't go to your neigh.
Dor to see if he got one becaus
every ODE will have to compl.
with this ordinance and you
neighbor will get one. Thes
must be installed on or befor
the last day of notice given o
water will be shut off until sam
| is complyed with.
l After taking this matter Vi
with the mayor and city counci
and by their direvsion, you ar
hereby notified to put in waite
meters at once.
JOHN F. CLTNKENBEARI
City Clerk and Water Con
So
aaotloa ~ prohata az tA1IlI