South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-22

or the city as brought 70 head this
summer by the heavy demands q
number OF South Bend citizens at
the call OF B. {. Stephenson. met
at the Indiana club last evening 10
discuss the situation and 10 listen to
a detailed report Of the situation as
presented by II. Won SChon. Wash
ington. d. c. hydraulic engineer.
Mr.. Won Schon. water commits
sioner 20 determine the dam heights
for the st. Joseph river valley,
named by the superior and circuit
courts TO act. familiar with the geo
logical and water conditions Of the
entire valley by virtue of his inter-
est in various hydraulic cases in the
local courts gave a thorough state
ment as 10 his views Of conditions.
Wants Immediate Action.
He advocated one of two plans
for South Bend. First the develop
ment and extension Of the South
Bend dam water rights, which he
declared at an ultimate saving. could
solve the power cost and likewise
take care Of the city's street lighting
or prepare for a time when the city
has population OF 100000 or more,
TO install dual system. By this he
said. artesian water could be used
for domestic needs. and surface
water for other purposes. He ad-.
vocated that il this system were to
be installed that it not be deferred
as any delay would prove costly.
The group Of citizens and tax
payers decided at the conclusion Of
the meeting to invite r Vanarsdale.
Chicago hydraulic engineer who at
I present is experimenting and map
ping out the water boards plans to
increase the water supply. to speak
at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Stephenson advocated that
the city determine the practibility Of
obtaining the power rights of the
river with a view to purchasing such
rights. He intimated that these
could now be procured at a very de-
sirable figure.
Comments On System.
Commenting on the present con-
dition of the South Bend water sys-
EN-, Mr.. Won Schon revealed the
following 10 points:
/. The quality of the South Bend
water is satisfactory.
?. The quantity now developed is
insufficient TO meet present de-
maands.
3. Present wells are now being
utilized TO capacity.
4. Additions TO the present well
system could be obtained as the
ia No ~ ~
available storage.
.. Central plant we'll group is not
capable of on efficient yield
6. North plant well group in low
due to well interference.
I. Central turbine equipment is
obsolete.
S. City water power right is being
wasted.
9. Presept pumping cost is not
economical.
10. Present system is wastefuI of
: power and water.
The present shortage is not due
entirely to remodeling now being
carried on, Mr.. Won SchOn declared.
There has been a lack of sufficient
water for years. That is a we'll es-
tablished fact. There is consider
able water lost due TO friction and
! loss of static head.
The wells at the Central pump
ing station have passed their eff
cient service age. There were put
down 80 years ago. Too. the Central
/ turbine plant never has been at its
normal efficiency and the plant is
/ practically useless as far as Utiliz-
! ing its ultimate hydraulic power is
| concerned.
I Now At Capacity.
| South Bend is one Of the few mu-
inequalities in this commonwealth to
have its store natural power service.
The South Bend dam develops 5000
| horse power 10y means of the east
and west races. The city is entitled
/ to 10 per cent of half Of the mean
/ flow of the river here.
Mr.. Won Schon pointed out that
the central station group of wells
which had been installed at the time
when black iron pipe was used, with
out a doubt now were not maintain
/ ing their fullest capacity. This was
due to several causes, he added,
namely the fact that erosion, tu-
bercles and other agencies brought
about a state known in hydraulics IS
we'll interference.
"A city can not do without water.
he said. Suppose your electric
lights give out You can resort TO
| gas. kerosene lights or candles
Suppose your electric lines go out Of
| order You can use other convey
ances. But il is impossible TO do
| without water. You must have il
| for sanitation. You must have a
good quantity OF it in case an emer-
/ gency arises where a conflagration
might. with a strong wind, burn an
/ entire city block. You would not
| have enough water to chill the ad-
jacent property TO prevent the COM
bustible gas from spreading. 1t IS
not the quantity Of water that puts
out a fire but the force with which Il
| is applied.
THE supply Of the South Bend
water system should be based on the
peak load some June Monday morn
| ing when the utmost capacity per
/ capita is being consumed. II Is well
TO remember that an increase in ca