Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-07
Tentative Arrangements
Made for Expenditure Of
Perhaps SIS, ,OOO,O 900
PAY AS.CO FINANCING
Councils Committees Work.
ing With Chief Davis on
Proposition
This " the fourth Of a series Of orti-
cies on municipal oGdtrs IN Philadelphia

Hxtsnsion and improvement OF the
city's ses, 100000 water system is one
Of the most important municipal plans
for future engagements.
The work calls for the expenditure OF
between s12, 900 and s15,Ooo,ooo and
provides for the employment of many
classes of expert and skilled labor.
Although the water extension plan has
Just been sent 20 Councils by Mayor
smith. alternate plans for varying kinds
OF extensions have been completed,
When a course is chosen and the money
authorized by a councllmsnlc loan, work
can be started at once. Plans are un-
der way to provide for the work in a
loan now under consideration.
The financing OF the work includes a
pay-as-you-go feature. in that Chief
Davis. OF the Water Bureau and those
affiliated with him in the effort to OBJ
tain safe and adequate supply, want
only portion of the money needed
included IN loans Of future years. The
work will cover at least four years. and
they plan asking Councils for 1000 900
or sa.ooo,oe0 annually until the task Is
finished
Proposition in Councils Hands
The entire proposition is now in the
hands of Councils Committee on Fl
nance and Water and the members are
working In conjunction with Chief Da-
Wis and City Solicitor Connolly with a
view TO quick decision as to what is
best to do.
A part OF the general scheme is for
the city to acquire independent water
companies operating in the city limits
thus making the municipal plant a mo-
nopoly. IT also presupposes the adopt
ton Of the universal metering system.
Although the work OF the trainers OF
the projected new councilmanic loan
has 30 far not been made public it is
understood that those back OF the water
extension plan have received assurances
that the money will be forthcoming, this
spring. If this is done Chief Davis
believes contracts can be let within a
few months that will employ hundreds
of men. Certain water lines must he
built. no matter what plan Is finally de-
cided upon and II is proposed to start
work by placing the needed new mains
underground.
The three alternate methods that have
been outlined as possibilities 10 insure
to central and South Philadelphia an
adequate water supply, are widely vary
ing. but are claimed to be equally GER
tain Of results.
One plan provides for the enlarge
msnt of the present filtration plant at
Torresdale at a cost of $4,000. 900. This
cost would include big mains in the
northern section to reinforce the supply
now being sent TO the central and south
ern parts OF Philadelphia,
A second method would be 10 GO to
the headwaters OF the Schuylkill River,
many miles from the city. and bring
an adequate supply here by means Of
anueducts. This would be the most
costly of the suggestions outlined and
ID not likely to be adopted because Of
lis prohibitive cost. 1t is founded ON
the plans adopted BY New York city in
bringing it's fresh water supply from
tho mountains.
n Contemplate Series of Basins
The third and last method under con-
sideration, u to construct several fresh
water basins at the headquarters OF
the Schuylkill and thus increase the
!, volume in the river itself. This plan
contemplates tha water making it's way
TO the city BY It's natural course and
would make the SUPPLY OF more than
present value 10 otner cities tiong It's
banks. The estimated cost OF a series
, Of basins OF a size adequate TO carry
the necessary supply 10 this city rs
t15.oo0,ooo.
Chief Davis and other water experts
consider action imperative and little
delay is anticipated in obtaining the
necessary funds from Councils TO pro-
csed with the plan finally agreed on.
For years the water supply has been
inadequatsly kept up, owing to Councils
failure to provide badly needed funds
The result has been an inadequate sup
ply for stores and dwellings over mile.
Of city territory and the gradual wear
ing out Of machinery kept going twenty
/. four hours each day of the year.
II was this condition that led the
Chestnut street and other business asso-
Citations &c organize a campaign in favor
OF the expenditure or funds for water