El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-26
Water SUPPLY
KEEPING PACE
New Wells Giving Add
tional Millions of Gallons
d.. n-.---,.T-L p
Being Brought In.
By il. ". BIERHORsT.

FL Paso's. water consumption In The
middle Of last summer was something
like 100000 gallons a day, and the
caapcity Of the waterworks system
was taxed. The city seems to grow
every year in more than the ordinary
proportion, so that something had to
be done to provide for the normal in
crease that would have taken place by
the summer OF 1918. That something
is nearing completion and. IN another
six weeks. the waterworbs system
viii be able to provide between 49,
100000 and 100000 gallons daily.
The property holders OF the city
were called on recently TO vote a bond
issue Of $4,000 for WaterWorks eL-
tension. and the extension IS now tax
ing place. One well has already been
brought in at the plant on the mesa
beyond Fort Bliss and q second is rap
idly hearing completion at the same
place
Monster Wei Brought In.
TIE monster vel just drilled is said
to be the largest in the southwest It's
capacity is 100000 gallons day
while the second well VIII be q twin
brother as 10 production Each has
been drilled down something like SOC
feet, or until perfect 1l0W or cnem-
icaily pure water, protected from con
tamination by rock beds was reached.
The work was done by the city itself
and the two wells, including piping
and conduits 10 the pumping plant
are not costing over $4,000.
- Wells on Mesa.
With the completion or the two
monsters, she city has a battery OF q
them have been pumping 800 gallons
Of the finest mater to be had every
minute for the past two years.
This is not all A large engine ering
firm, Layne and Bowler, Of Los An
geles and st. Louis, is erecting new
plant al Madison and Montana streets
under a contract calling Tor liuUUi-
900 gallon battery at a construction
cost Of $4,000 including all machin-
cry and an electric motor This frim
has nearly completed one vel and It's
representative claims Il alone VIII
supply 100000 gallons day and
second well viii not be necessary. The
new plant VIII be run by electricity,
while the old parts OF the system are
oil operated.
To EIectrify system.
The next sLeu fin improving the en-
tire system VIII be the installation Of
a plant 70 make electricity for oper-
VIII eliminate the daily tueL OIL Dill
which now runs about $500
The construction OF the new plant
in the vicinity Of Montana and Mad
ison was for the purpose Of cutting
down operating costs, Is when large
quantities Of water are pumped on the
mesa, the water level is lowered and
the task Of lifting the water. which
is done by air pressure, becomes great
er. II the wells drilled by Layne &
Bowler prove q succesa. and their sue
cess is guaranteed in the contract, the
city viii drill more wells at the new
plant.
Tho entire system. which has ar
estimated value Of 81, 0Q0,0 600, On which
is bonded indebtedness totallrg
about 100000. is proving financial
success. according to its manager. H.
P. Jackson. who said that the reve-
nues were so satisfactory that the
proceeds OF the bond issue have not
yet been touched.
The revenues OF the company run
between $4,000 and SIS, 900 q month.
About $4,000 Of this goes to pay inter
est on bonds while the remainder
goes for operating expenses and per
manent iWprcvem enrs- among the
distributed 20 the latter dur
ing the past year are. $4,000 payment
e. Bowler contract $4,000 on Altura
pumping station: $4,000 on the new
wells on the mesa.
The new engine referred TO vas or
dered two years ago and should have
been installed year ago but delays
on the part 81 manufacturers are re-
sponsible. 1IanWhile the value o. the
engine. which is now nearly installed, (
has increased to 100000.