New Britain herald., 1924-01-03
SAYS WATER RATES
 ARE LOW IN CITY
Chairman Hatch Speaks on Pro.
 posed Increase to ROtarianS

Undlnldn ndlGn Dp6dkS Un rlU' posed Increase to ROtarians It costs less than a half cent per
 day for water service in New Britain, according to w. l.. Hatch, chairman of the board of water commissioners, in a statement made to the regular
 weekly meeting of the Rotary club today. Mir. Hatch said the expense of furnishing water has been increas- ing steadily while there has been no increase in rates since 1912.
 MT. Hatch's report was as follows:
 It has been suggested that you would be interested to know the req son why the water board feels the necessity of raising the income of the water department, and also why the board has taken the proposed method of securing this increase now, as to the necessity of more income.
 The expense of furnishing water has been increasing for many years, while there has been no increase in the rate charged since 1912. Last year, expenses plus sinking fund re- quirements and depreciation, exceed ed income by over S23,0o0.
 We should not supply at less than cost, and in this cost we must include payments to the sinking fund and a should also provide sufficient funds for the necessary extension of distri- button mains as needed. In addition to extensions larger mains are needed.
 The original water works were built in 1857, and ever since that time extensions have been made. The pipes laid have always been very ample for the needs at the time mains were laid, and for years after; but now we see the necessity of in creased capacity in order to provide for the large growth of the city in recent and coming years. The water board has been considering this mat ter for the past year, and has taken pressure readings in many parts of the city, the result of these tests showing that while in most places the pressure is sufficient for domestic use when the hydrant is opened, the pres sure falls very materially, for in- stance:
 Main and East Main streets, on opening the hydrant the pressure falls from 70 lbs. to fl lbs.
 East and Pleasant streets, on open ing the hydrant the pressure falls from sS lbs. to 20 lbs.
 Dewey and Bronson streets, on opening the hydrant the pressure falls from 55 lbs. to p lbs.
 East street and Seymour avenue, on opening the hydrant the pressure falls from S5 lbs. to l7 lbs.
 Allen and Oak street, on opening the hydrant the pressure falls from 5s lbs. 10 lbs
 This shows that the supply mains have capacities so small that the de- mands of maximum consumption and fire flow can be delivered only at very low pressure, and also considerable extensions are necessary to adequate ly supply extensive areas in which no large mains are installed. It is recommended by our consulting en- gineer that we strengthen the pipe system by building a coop around the congested areas, thus feeding the old pipes from both ends, which in a gen eral way, would double their capa- city. The cost of this will ultimately reach over one-half million dollars, but we do not propose to lay all of this pipe in any one year. Some Of the lines that will give the greatest service will be laid first, and others added from time to time. The cost of this work should be largely pro. vidcd for by current income, and not by bond issues.
 The time is also coming soon when we must increase our reservoir caps- city and provide additional sources of supply. This also will, for time make the cost of providing water greater.
 After becoming convinced that an increase of income is necessary we in- vestigated the rates and methods in a large number of cities and found that a service charge as a method of distributing the cost Of meter invest ment, meter repairs. meter reading. billing and collecting, all Of which are proportional to the of services rather than to the amount Of water used. is considered a fairer method than a flat rate with a minimum charge. Each water user first pays for his share of such ex- penses, and also for the actual amount of wate rused.
 The cost of furnishing water is over s7.o0 per meter and at present VIC are only collecting $500 per meter from over HOO customers.
 Under our schedule as proposed, the cost for most of the single houses, that is. all who use 5-s inch meter will be service charge of $500 plus l0c per hundred cubic feet, and the | total cost to these HOO for water l used will be only from $500 to ! t10.00 each per year. the rate to do- | nestle consumers being left at 10c l per hundred cubic feet as at present. |
 These changes, together with the l increased charges to large consumers. | Will give an increase amounting to l sbout s50.0O0 a year. Compared with ! other cities. our proposed rate is very i ow. Our average rate on all water | metered rill be about 9c.
 Hartford is .1122 average. 12c do- | nestle rate. The domestic rates in l ,ther cities are: | New London %. 12c domestic rate ! Worcester. Mass. 200 domestic rate . Utica. \. Y. %. soc domestic rate | New Haven ... 15ac domestic rate