Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-02-22

. over anu HiSu service dt lHdt
point. We removed the one and
one-half U1a) million gallon cleo
trio pump from the reservoir and
installed it at the fire station at
Twelfth street and Forty-second
avenue to supply this tank The
cost of this Improvement was S12,-
100000. At the reservoir we in
stalled a three (3l million gallon
capacity electric pump at a cost Of
$3,S00O0 We now have a pump
ing capacity at the reservoir of six
90 million gallons.
Reservoir Improvements.
In addition to installing the new
pump at the reservoir we built a
cross wall through the wash water
basin utilizing the wall of the fill
Ter house. This gives us an addi-
tiOnal storage capacity for clear
water of 100000 gallons. This i'm
provement cost about $4,000.
Extension of Mains.
During the past four years we
have constructed over 1872 miles of
water mains. and installed 210 fire
hydrants, at a total cost of $780,
10000; in addition we purchased 500
water meters. While property bene-
fitted is assessed for. a part of wa
ter main construction this depart
meDt finally bears all the expense,
as sums so paid are afterwards re-
bated in water rents. Bear in mind
that this department has met and
paid all the additions to the usual
cost of operation. out of current
revenues from the sale of water.
No bonds have been issued by this
department in the last four years.
Outstanding Water Works Bonds.
twenty-five thousand dollars due
in 1922. provision is made to take
care of them. Seven thousand five
hundred dollars waterworks extern
sion and betterment bonds. Four
teen thousand dollars on elevated
tank at reservoir.
Superintendent of WaterwOrks Dis
missed.
Having had ten years experience
as superintendent of waterworks in
this city. felt that we might safely
dispense with the service of the
acting superintendent This | did.
and assumed and performed all the
duties of that office myself. He
was receiving a salary of $4,000
per month, and the total saving
TO the city from that source is So
10000, or s1,60O.00 more than l will
have received as commissioner for
my four years service
Pure Water.
While efficien cy and economy are
most desirable, l realize that the
quality of water furnished our citi-
zenS is by far the most important
question. That the water furnished
from our mains is practically as
pure s it can be made, has been re-
peatedly shown by the test of To-
cal. state and government officials;
and the general health of our peo-
pie. Not one case of typhoid or
other illness during the past four
years has been traced to the use of
city water
The question of keeping our city
water pure and wholesome has at
all times been the foremost con-
Germ of those having this depart
ment in charge; and the utmost
care and the most modern methods
are used in the treatment OF the wa
ter, in the various processes.
Reduction of Water Rents.
The council had decided to re-
duce water rates about 1917 when
war conditions made it impossible.
as fuel increased in price 1909. !
chemicals 1870 and we raised the
salaries of employees % and 1910. (
However, we have made some re-
duction in the minimum meter
rates and allow a discount of SO
if bill is paid within a limited time.
When elected four years ago. l.
promised to devote all my time to
the city and stated that my expert !
ence of ten years as superintendent |
of water works would aid me in the |
performance of the work. Whether !
I have kept these promises and !
made good. | submit to your judg- |
ment- respectfully,
JOHN A. MURRIN.