Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-08-13
ADDED WATER
FACILITIES WILL
Be NEEDED SOON
Duplicate Main to Care For
Water Extension Will be
Needed in Brownsville in
a Few Months

Building activities and the expansion
of the residence portions of the city are
factors which will make necessary a big
increase in the facilities for water dis
tribute on throughout the city. IN the
very near future, is the opinion eX-
pressed by city officials who have recent
ly been giving considerable attention 10
this end Of the Brownsville plblic ser
wee utilities. New buildings are going
up rapidly in all parts of the city, and
It's suburban additions are also building
at rate which make ii evident that
within a few months means must be
provided to take care of the rapidly in
creasing demand.
City Manager George Grupe. IN dis
cussing the situation. expressed the
opinion that within u year, at least, the
city would find il necessary To put IN u
duplicate main to take care of the in
creased demand. and he emphasized the
fact that while the cost would be heavy.
owing to the extremely high freight
on piping. il would be one of the best
inv, s;ments the city could possibly make
and investment which would pay the city
big dividends in improved sanitary con
ditiCns as well as in cash returns.
Could Pay For Itself.
Two propositions will be open to the
city "a a means OF providing for this ex-
tension work. Bonds can be voted. or
the work can be accomplished by utiliz-
ing the profits from our utilities. At
the present time the city is showing
a profit of approximately $4,000 per
year from the operation OF its plant and
il this profit is applied TO extensions.
the work can be carried on without fur
ther bond issues. If the people demand
a lower rate for service. they can doubt
less secure il and place the plant upon
a service-at-ca basis, but this would
necessita, additional bond burdens TO
handle such extension work as may be
necessary.
Rates in Brownsville for both water
and lights, Mr.. Grupe stated, were a.
low or lower than In the average South
Texas city. notwithstanding i T. fact
tina; Brownsville is Obliged to meet hcav-
Ter freight charges on fuel. repairs. and
other materials. The rates could be low
cred to a point lower than any city in
this section of the state and the plant
still break even" but If this should be
done. in the face Of needed extensions
the reduction wolld. 10 great extent,
be taken up in the form OF interest on
bonds which the city would be obliged to
issue to take care of necessary con-
struction.
Secure More Profitable Connections.
One feature of the proposed extern
sions % the water system which would
appeal TO the taxpayers of the city is the
fact that practically all connections 20
be made in the sections now without
service would be Of the class which
yields the most profit to the city. A
n rule the minimum connections.
those paying the minimum each month.
are far more profitable to the city than
connections using large amounts ot wa
ter. The minimum in Brownsville is
1000 gallons. the rate on which is $3.50
per month. Many Of the minimum con
nections use from 1000 to 1000 gallons
per month. and except in cases where
large lawn is often watorcd there are
not many residences using over the min
imum.
Practically all Of the extensions would
70 into the residence districts to min
imum users, and the volume of water
used in supplying these new connections
would be more profitable TO the city.
in proportion. than the volume now be-
tConiinued on Page Two.l