Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-12
Local Water Supply and Situation Important Topic about
Town-Chwch Notces-Dog Hit by Automobile Fast
Gated Horse Purchased by Local Man

The matter Of the local water
supply and situation is the import
ant topic about town just at pres
ent, and the committee composed of
Judge Fred F. Lawrence, A. A. Por.
ter. Byron Perkins. Roland T. Pat.
ten and E. T. Goodrich have been
working for some time on the COL
lection of information which might
be of value to the voters in reaching
individual conclusions as to the
wisdom in accepting the Water Dis.
trict Charter at the special election
to be held on July 81. This commit
tee has reached the conclusion in
their own opinions that the service
now being furnished by the Show
hogan Water Co. does not in any es-
sential respect approach that which
a community like Skowhegan should
require. The committee claims that
the present water supplied has been
frequently analysed and when not
chemically treated discloses in most
instances the presence Of bacteria Of
sewage origin. They maintain that
according to engineers the general
impression is confirmed that such
water without liberation or chemic-
al treatment is totally unfit and un-
safe for domestic purposes. 1t is
now being treated by clorination for
the purpose Of destroying DANGEROUS
bacteria. In dry seasons because Of
the inadequacy Of the supply, water
has to be pumped from the Kenne-
bee river. So far as the dis
tribution system goes, according to
the committee the New England In
surance Exchange in a recommends
ton under date of March II, 1919,
among other requirements which are
stated by them in order to give the
town improved classification for in
surance rating, treats the sizes of the
present pipes as entirely inadequate.
In this same report, the committee
further claims that the present sys-
TEN is deficient in handling fires for
the reasons that there is insufficient
pressure under any conditions on all
but the lower levels of the town and
insufficient storage capacity to main
tain the maximum pressure when
the head is lowered by a number Of
hydrant openings: the present pres
sure on Water street is about IS
pounds per square inch. This means
that at the corner of Hathaway and
Poplar streets it is only about SIS
pounds and a similar amount at the
corner of Madison avenue and Maple
street. while opposite the Fair
grounds it is less than fifty pounds
the engineers recommend an increase
of about 25 pounds per square inch;
the capacity of the present stand
pipe is approximately 100000 gal
Ions and the New England Insurance
Exchange recommends either a new
source of supply or a reservoir of
100000 gallons capacity. The
committee also recommends II the
District be organized, that the en-.
largement Of the present supply be
considered as at least a temporary
expedient
The new sources of supply con-
sidered by the committee are for
gravity supplies, Wentworth pond.
which has a suitable elevation but is
fifteen miles away and the engineers
estimate the cost of construction of
pipes at 100000. The committee re-
ports as follows on the Baker Pond,
lying northwest of Wentworth Pond,
that there would be a slightly in
creased expense and no good reason
existing for considering it in any way
preferable; Embden Lake, water
clearest in color. but somewhat fur
Their away than Wentworth Pond
hence slightly more expansive in
conveying, water however believed
to be superior. Wesserunsett Lake
is not recommended. although we're
the elevation sufficient to furnish
gravity supply it might be advisable
to attempt it, says the committee.
They feel, however. that this body of
water is surrounded by approximate
ly $50 cottages and that any serious
attempt to protect the supply would
be attended with enormous expense
coupled with the cost of pumping and
liberation and the ever present sus-
picion under the most favorable cir
cumstances that the water was not
tsrictly pure, would render it's con-
sideration a matter of stern .neces-
sity. North and East Ponds accord
ing to the committee are open to
practically the same objections.
The committee says that the re-
port of Green & Wilson of Water.
vile. investigating engineers upon
Lake George and Ook Pond supplies
coupled with their own investiga-
tions and consideration of several
factors involved, have led them to
the conclusion that either of these
sources of supply will afford an ade-
quate, constant supply of water
which Is attractive in appearance
and recommended by the States
Laboratory of Hygiene as a safe
water for domestic use. AS the dis
lance OF the line from Oak Pond
would be less than six miles to it's
Junction with the present distribu-
ton system. it will be noted that the
expense Of construction of mains will
be much less than a loan to either
Embden or Wentworth Ponds. On
the northerly slope of Eaton Noun
tain is a natural ravine in the ledgy
surface which apparently would af-
ford an opportunity to construct
natural reservoir of as much capac-
ity as would ever be required at a
height sufficient to give ample pres
sure for fire purposes at relatively
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