Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-08-24
STATE HOUSE
Governor and Co unei A. M
Wednesday, Aug. IS

A decision was rendered by the
public utilities commission Monday
declaring that the water being fur
nished by the Richmond Water
Works to its customers is not a safe
water for domestic consumption and
use, and that the present service fur
nished by the Richmond Water
Works is inadequate in that the COM
pany is not furnishing to its custo-
mers a water that is safe for domestic
consumption and use.
The decision of the utilities COM
mission orders that as soon as
may be the Richmond water
Works install and put in use, in con-
nection with it's plant. some form OF
filtration apparatus suitable IN klno
and adequate in performance, 10
properly and safely filter the water
which the company will be serving
to its customers; that in connection
with such filtration apparatus the
company continue to chlorinate the
water supplied to its customers; that
within 80 days the company notify
the public utilities commission on a
writing signed by one Of it's princi-
pal officers whether it will comply
with this order. and, if so. IN what
manner and at what time: and tnat
permission and authority is given to
the company to file on less than stat
utory notice a new schedule of rates,
the same to be filed and effective
after such filtration apparatus IS IN
operation, and such new schedule to
be subject to complaint, investigation
and revision at any time.
Recommendation is made by the
commission that the company re-lo-
cate the intake pipe, either by eX-
tending the same further up the river
and we'll beyond the sewer outlet, or
somewhat across the river to or
towards the shore opposite to Rich
mond. Within 80 days the company
is required to notify the commission
whether it accepts this recommen-
dalton. and. if SO, in what manner
it proposes to comply with the same.
"Suggestion is made that the in
take pipe of the water company
should either be carried up river fur
Their or extended some distance across
the river in the vicinity OF an lslaSd,
say the public utilities commissioners
in their decision.
IF the sewer cannot be changed land
this seems probable). there should
be change in the intake pipe of the
water company, even though this
change will do no more than have an
effect upon the minds of the water
takers" continues the decision.
Even as changed, the raw water
of the kennebcc River is recognized
as unfit for ordinary internal con-
sumption by human beings. The
company shall also install some form
of filtration. The evidence showed
that the bare apparatus installed at
the plant at Richmond would cost at
least $4,000. The company estimat-
ed that an additional investment OF
$4,000 would be necessary in hous-
ing the apparatus and otherwise put
ting the same in operation.
Our inquiry and investigation and
the evidence lead us to doubt whether
so large an expenditure would be
necessary. and it is our belief that
half of this excess would be ample.
But even so the company will be
obliged to make an additional in
vestment of at least $4,000 besides
the expense of extending or re-locat-
ing it's intake pipe. This investment
will involve the company in a loss
and a continuing loss unless rates
which are reasonable and which will
be somewhat cheerfully paid. can be
substituted for those now in force.
I'VE do not lose sight of the fact
that it is the duty of this company
to render adequate service; and that
adequate service is not rendered
when there Is furnished water of the
quality and characteristics being fur
nished in Richmond. We cannot lose
sight of the fact that this company
ought not, unless it is absolutely nee
essary. to be required to make this
additional investment and render the
more expensive service at its own eX-
pense We believe from the evidence
presented that the people of Richmond
who are water takers desire this i'm
provement in service. and they are
willing and able to pay for the same,
and that the rates to be put in effect
need not be unreasonable, taking ev-
erything into account.
After the hearing had been had,
and the case closed so far as evidence
was concerned. we received a written
communication indicating that some
people in Richmond realizing that
this additional investment would re-
suit in an increase in water rates,
were anxious that this commission
should not require any change in the