The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1922-01-06
l'WORTh FACES PROBLEM
OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT
AND WATER PLANT.
MATTERS WILL COME UP AT
MEETING JAN. 1O-MAYOR
AND COUNCIL WELCOME EN-
PRESSIONS.


water system. These repairs are abb
solutely necessary. The council has
before it also for consideration the
problem of determining whether or
not to construct an electric light and
power system at the same time, and
we understand, desire to have the
people of the city express themselves
freely upon the matter, hoping that by
a free discussion the needs of the
community may be determined and
that all may work together and our
mutual interests be advanced.
Therefore, with no intention of op-
position to any faction or interest and
with no AK to grind, the Echo ven
turee to discuss this important matter
and to urge that all property owners
make it a point to attend the council
meeting on the evening of January
10.
That the Leavenworth water sys-
tenn must be thoroughly reconstruct
ed is, we believe, admitted by all who
have an interest in the city, so that
insurance rates may be kept down and
water needs supplied. A part of the
mair., leading from the intake down
to the Harding lane, was relaid last
year, but the intake and a short
stretch of the pipeline below it are in
need of reconstruction. The intake
itself. has never been constructed in
such manner that the continued in
flow of water may be guaranteed. A
dam must be built and gates installed,
so that the opening may be far
enough below the surface of the wa
er to insure a fell flow at all times,
and provision must be made so that
wheh the water is high and leaves,
etc, clog the intake, the gates may
be closed and the intake cleared. In
the past when the intake was clogged
during high water it has been nearly
impossible to clear it until the flood
was over. And that part of the pipe
line below the intake which was for
merly laid in the edge of the stream
ought to be placed on higher ground
and SO protected that washout will
be impossible. This stretch of main
has washed out twice, allowing
leaves and twigs to get into the sys-
TEN and cause much annoyance and
expense to the water commissioner
and water users over the city.
This winter the fact has developed
that the old main from the west end
of the Harding lane down, is about
at tie end of its usefulness, and the
discovery has been made that the old
main, taken up last spring along the
Icicle, part of which was relaid
from the Harding lane north, is in
such q condition that it ought to be
replaced The city has secured the
right to run a line from the Harding
lane north along the county road and
across the bridge into town, and it is
considered advisable to take out the
old 10-inch main. laid last year, and
continue the 14-inch main from the
Harding lane into town. This plan,
we believe, also contemplates the con-
struction of a new reservoir at some
elevated point north or west of the
city.
The city authorities, it appears,
believe that by the improve
mentg outlined above, an adequate
supply of water can at all times be
guaranteed. The old main down the
Harding lane and into town could be
maintained, if necessary; and with
the double system the chance of a
water shortage would be lessened
and the weaker features of the old
system would be overcome.
The proposition to install an elec-
tric system ought. it seems to us, be
regarded apart from the water sys-
TEN, though the plans TO improve the
water system have for some time in
cluded the installation of an electric
system when dam is built at the in
take If carried out, utility bond,
should have to be issued and sold
OnT general bonding limit has al
ready been about reached. Had oul
water system proved satisfactory the
proposition TO go into other municipa
ventures would no doubt be more at
tractive. But this is a matter for tn,
people of the city to settle. 1t lies
within the pyovince of newspaper
however, to discuss public interest.
and we should not be justified in hold
ing aloof from a discussion of thii
matter.
Were the city without the conven
ienee of electricity and with no pros
peet of securing such a necessity, th'
Echo would be unqualfedly is favo