Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-02-07

lengthy report containing twenty
typewriter pages has been submit
ted to Mayor Daniel G. Chase ly T.
Filskov, Samuel Newton, c. 1. Ber-
gen, Harold Filskov and r. NJ. Kerr,
Jr., a committee appointed by him
to investigate the conditions of the
water department. The report, which
considers every item II the operation
of the water plant and makes many
recommendations, including among
them raise in water rates and the
metering of all water used, has been
submitted by Mr.. Chase to the coun-
cilmen for their consideration, with
the recommendation that they adopt
such suggestions as will help to
make the department self-sustaining
and thereby reduce the heavy tax
burden under which the city is now
struggling.
The report begins by going into
details concerning the property own
ed by the city in connection with
the water works, the amount OF
water pumped from each well pei
day, the size of the pumps, the work
they accomplish, the boilers, manner
in which the house is built, and other
other equipment in connection with
the operation of the department.
According to the report the total
operating cost of the water depart
ment for the year 1922 exclusive OF
an expenditure of about $500 COW
ering the cost of constructing the
two new shallow wells was approx
tmately s62.100. This amount in.
cludes interest on bonds and also
one amount Of $4,000 for bonds re-
tired, which is equal to an annual
depreciation charge of about 1.6 per
cent. The total revenue amounted
to about S3S.644. This made an
operating deficit of $4,000.
The report points out that large
waseage of water Is shown, this be-
Ing in buildings and fountains where
there are no meters and due to leaks
in mains that as yet have not been
discovered. There is also loss, ac-
cord1ng to the report, to defective
meters and defective pumping and
free sprinkling and fire service.
THE capital invested in the South
Amboy water plant Is s3s,50o. pre-
sumably for the construction OF
water mains, stand pipe, ETC.. and
s270,S15.4S for the construction of
the new water works, or a total in
vestment of $31O,S15.43." reads the
report.
The summary of the report reads:
THE South Amboy Water Works
Is modern plant furnishing an ex-
cellent quality OF water, but the cost
Of pumping and distributing includ-
ing interest on bonds and bonds re-
tired is very much higher than that
OF neighboring municipalities. The
rates charged are also much higher.
but even 80, the revenue derived is
only about 81 per cent of the cost
The recommendations of the COM
mittee consist of reduction in the
cost of pumping, reduction in the
waste and loss of water, keeping
meters in repair and metering all
water. increase of the water rates,
and changing the present coal burn
ing furnaces so that oil may be used
for fuel.
Under preventing the waste Of
water, the committee recommends
that all existing meters be repaired
or renewed, all fiat rates abolished
and meters installed. The installing
of all meters where there are none
at the present time to be paid for by
the owner OF the building.
1t is estimated Gy the committee
that one leak. before il was discoy.
cred, resulted in loss of 50,0OO.-
600 gallons of water, and that in
| order to overcome this, tests should
be made block for block for hidden
leaks. In cases where water can.
not be metered, It i5 the recon.
mendations of the committee tina;
It be estimated as nearly as possible
and a price set for this amount.
The consolidation nf the nt
| street department and water depart.
ment under one head is recon.
mended, the salary to be somewhat
higher than that which either com.
missioner is now receiving. and tc
furnish him an efficient clerk, COM
paratively well paid tc look after
the office details. This can be done
It is pointed out, without increasing
the expenses to the city for super
vision. Under the consolidation, il
IS pointed out, that 1t would only be
| necessary to employ four or five
men on full time, while at the pres
ent time nine laborers are constant.
ly employed.
The purchasing of fuel for the
water station by bids for a years
supply is recommended; and it is
also recommended that the pump be
run at capacity.
A. recommendation that a sinking
fund be established Of $4,000 pei
annum for the retirement OF notes
and bonds, Is also one OF the items.
The rate suggested for the sale
of water by the recommendation
Follows:
First 1000 cubic feet, per month,
lkexE senss pax 100 sEsaa feet. Mex