The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-04-08

gallons, which would check the Ventura
meter very closely, allowing for
slight slippage in the pumps.
The amount Of water used for street
sprinkling has been computed at r.
477,20 gallons, leaving balance of
about 387,110O00 gallons, or about
80 per cent of the total amount pump
ed as being unaccounted for. This
would indicate water used for fire ex-
tinguishment, sewer flushing, flushing
water mains,- and the balance would
have to be accounted for by under
registration of meters and leakage
from mains and services. While this
may seem high, there has been con-
siderable of an Improvement since
1917, when the percentage unaccounted
for was "a per cent. By continuing
our Investigations and improvements,
it is thought this percentage may be
made still lower"
Forecast for 1920.
The water commission shows another
set of figures to forecast the cost Of
operating for 1920, and to estimate
the amount which must come in from
general service. The estimate costs
are $157,326.91 and the amount of re-
turns required from general services
is placed at $118,393.17.
"The probable operating expenses
for 1920 and the amount to be allowed
for taxes, depreciation, interest and
profit is shown says the petitioner.
"Taxes have been figured at per cent,
which is higher than allowed in 1917,
but it is exactly what was collected on
property in the city Of Kenosha on
the 1919 tax roll. City bonds were be-
ing sold at that time paying Az per
cent interest while in 1919 it was nee
esary to pay 5 per cent and it is doubt
full whether they could be sold at the
present time at that rate Of interest.
Must Raise Large Amount.
Deducting the amount paid by the
city at large and the taxes whis5l are
not paid, there would be about $118,-
100000 to be charged to general SER
vice. It is thought that the schedule
of rates above outlined would provide
increase in rates has been made in
the larger quantities of water, as it
would appear that rate of 25 cents
per thousand cubic feet for quantities
over 100000 cubic feet is below the
cost of furnishing the water, consider
ing the total amount Of water annually
paid for, and considerably lower than
a fair and equitable price for the SER
vice
One Customer Wants 100000 Gal.
The largest consumer in the city is
even now considering the feasibility
of drawing on the city for about 10,-
100000 gallons per day, and if the city
is required to furnish the water,
considerable additional outlay will be
required in the way of additional puri-
fcation facilities and long line of
large water main.
The total cost Of this would be
nearly $25O,OO0. and it would seem
only justice to the smaller consumers
that this consumer should pay it's pro-
portion not only of the actual cost of
furnishing the water, but the fixed
charges on the capital invested. The
city, of course, can make no provision
for furnishing that amount of water
to single consumer under the pres
ent rates.
The board of water commissioners
are also of the opinion that the quail
ity of the service rendered should be
given consideration in making com
parsons with other cities, and in de-
termining the rates. A considerable
amount of money has been spent and
will be spent in providing a modern
and complete distribution system,
pumping station and filtration plant.
A record of the quality of the water
furnished is on file with the state
board of health at Madison, and it is
stating the case very conservatively
to say that the water compares very
favorably with that furnished in any
other city in the state.