Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-06-20


pert, president of the Augusta Water
District, gave out for the Board. Fri
DAY, the following statement:
me trustees of the Augusta. Wa
ter District have well matured plans
Tor extensive improvements and ad-
dit1onss to the system. The work
proposed includes an enlargement of
the distributing reservoir, the cut
ting in of large number of gate
valves, the extensive reinforcement
OF existing mains and the laying
down. of new pipes, including about
a mile to finish the Bangor road ex-
tension, and the much discussed
Western Avenue addition.
These operations are of no small
magnitude. and the trustees have
come to their conclusion only after
months of careful consideration, the
determining factor being the neces-
sity of providing for the flow and
distribution of pure water in suf-
ficient volume, backed by adequate
storage capacity, for all domestic
and municipal uses.
February 18th the trustees receiv-
ed from Metcalf and Eddy, consult
ing engineers, Boston, the report of
o survey made by this we'll known
engineering firm. The survey is ex-
haustive and the report is complete
as covering the whole system and
carrying specific recommendation of
work that should be done without
further delay If the system is to be
maintained at high standard of
efficiency. =.
The Bangor Road extension is al
Ia ncf
part of the balance of the work will
be begun at once and be finished if
possible before winter. The largest
items in the program are the Wes-
tern Avenue extension and the build
ing of the reservoir. The present
reservoir is inadequate as a storage
for a city of the size of Augusta,
and provides only for a doubtful
supply or little more than two days
for ordinary use If break should
occur in the Carleton Pond pipe line,
or not more than one days hupply If
the city had to fight stubborn fire.
The plan proposed would increase
the reservoir capacity from 6,000,-
600 to 100000 gallons, which will
insure supply for z or days. The
Western Avenue extension is not
only important as bringing water to
that locality, but will also serve to
reinforce the pressure in the south
ern part of the city especially in the
vicinity of the State House where
the pressure now is weak, and where
gridiron of small pipes are unsup-
ported by a main of much size.
Much of the present system is
weak, parts of it are old, and in many
sections of the city the pressure for
fire protection is inadequate and so
recognized by the underwriters.
The Augusta Water District was
chartered in 1903. and water first
flowed through the Carleton Pond
pipe line February II, 1906. Much
is done to a water main to decrease
its capacity in 20 years. The inte-
grail parts of Augustus water sys-
tenn, however, are older than 20 years
and was built when the demand was
not what it is today, either for do
nestle or municipal purposes. The
Augusta Water Company had its be-
ginning SIS years ago, when the Au-
gusta Water. Company was incor-
porated in 1907. The major part of
the present system was built by the
Augusta Water Company in 1SS6-07.
including the Togus line, or nearly ~
years ago. In the meantime Augusta
has grown and the demand for wa
ter has more than doubled. while thu
/ system has been losing in capacity
for service.
The recommendations of Metcalf &
Eddy, which the trustees have adopt
ed, are briefly stated as follows:
improvements and Reinforcements
1-Cut in 40 new gate valves on
existing pipes.
MAKE cross connections between
the 6-inch and 10-inch pipes in Ar
senal street south of Eastern avenue
and in Hospital street near the end
of the 10-inch pipes.
3-Lay 8-inch pipe in State from
the Augusta House to Capitol street
in addition to the existing 6-inch
pipe. Approximately 700 feet.
4-Lay 8-inch pipe in Green street
from State street to the 12-inch pipe
in Bradbury street, about 600 feet.
5-Complete the circuit to a point
on State street near the Hallowell
line by laying about 200 feet of pipe
in Sewall, Grove and Main streets
Use 8-inch pipe, although the re-
mainder Of the circuit is OF 6-inch
pipe.
6-Parallel the existing 6-inch pipe
in Swan street from Grove street to
Gage street about 900 feet. with an
8-inch pipe.
7-Extend the pipe in Pearl street
from School street to Cony street,
about 600 feet, using 8-inch pipe.
8-Parallel the existing 6-inch pipe
in Willow street by an 8-inch pipe
from the 16-inch pipe at the bend
near the river to Bangor street, about
500 feet.
s-Parallel the existing 6 inch pipe
in Northern avenue from the 16 inch
pipe to Washington street, using an
inch pipe. About 1000 feet.
10-Insert a hydrant on Bangor
road just north Of the valve above
Lock street.