The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-01-01
BOARD REPORTS
/ ON WATER STEAL
Chicago Told to Get Sewage
Plants and Meter Outlet
by Engineers.
OF INTEREST HERE


Joined in the fight to put an end to
the diversion of large quantities Of
lake water at Chicago for the Chicago
Drainage Canal system, is interested
in the report on commission of %
nationally known sanitary engineers
appointed to investigate the so-called
Chicago water steal.n The report ap-
proves diversion of water through the
drainage canal for dilution of Chi
cago's sewage but says that the city's
growth has exceeded the limits con-
sidered when the canal was built.
The report makes the following de-
mands upon Chicago in the event that
the diversion of water is continued:
Construction by the Chicago sani-
tary district as rapidly as possible of
sewage disposal plan works to cost
$125, 100000.
Metering of Chicago's water serv-
ice and survey of water waste,
Prompt settlement of all damages in
the Illinois river valley caused by, Chi
cago's water diversion.
Waste of water through lack of
meters is giving Chicago twice as much
oCNaSC W Q4SppoG VI 40 ~ HAVAAA
have, the report states, and proposes
metering all water service to prevent
this waste.
Lowers Lake Five Inches.
Water diversion at Chicago, the re-
port holds, has lowered lake levels
about five inches, while other causes
have resulted in fluctuations of 2 or
8 feet. Reduced lake levels, the board
said, have damaged navigation and
harbor works But lake fluctuations
can be largely eliminated, and the
lakes held near the highest desirable
levels, the board said, by works con-
structed near their outlets, these works
being necessary, regardless of the Chi
cago diversion.
Diversion of water at Chicago, the
board said, is necessary for sewage dis
posal because it prevents pollution of
the lake, improves navigation down the
Illinois and Mississippi and makes
available hydro-electrie energy where
needed. With like and river regula-
ton, it will confer these benefits with
out damage to great lakes navigation
and without affecting navigation con-
ditions in the st. Lawrence river and
without reducing power at Niagara
Falls and along the St. Lawrence, the
board said.
Recommendations of the board in
clude:
That the sanitary district make ev-
cry effort to clear up the controversy
over the drainage canal; that the dis
trict proceed as rapidly as possible ia
construct treatment works costing
$125, 900; that supplementary treat
ment works be built to care for dry
weather sewage and part of the storm
flow; that the district hurry the build
| ing of plants to care for Industrial
waste; that the city be urged to save
as much water as possible by install
| ing meters and making water waste
survey; that funds from the sale OF
only and that other expenses of ad-
ministration be raised by taxation
that the district cooperate with in
terests favoring the lakes-to- the-gult
waterway; that a fair settlement of all
damages in the Illinois river valley by
the division at Chicago be made
promptly, that the district contribute
it's proper part toward the construc-
tion of lake regulating works; that
the district apply to federal authorities
to divert an annual average Of 10000
feet of water second.
Basis for Legislation.
| The report, which has been accepted
by the sanitary district trustees, will
be used in behalf of new Legislation
sought from congress granting Chi
cago the right to divert 10000 cubic
feet a second through the drainage
canal as
"The report. submitted by the engi-
neers is about what we expected,
said William George Bruce, chairman
of the Milwaukee harbor commission
"There was no thorough, independent
study made of the question by the
commission. They were invited to ap.
prove of the plans of the sanitary dis
trict board if they could. Most of their
investigation was made through cor
respondence.
"The evidence at Washington against
Chicago is voluminous and no study
of this was possible in the short time
the commission has had to work. Sc
far as the moral side of the question
is concerned an engineer is no more
competent to judge than a lawyer
doctor or anybody else.
''We know that Chicago is respon-
sible only for 6 inches of the lower
ing of lake levels. 1t was a very
adroit move by Chicago to say to thi:
| committee, there are our plans; ap
prove them if you csn.' We expected
the result would be as it is"
T. Chalkley Hatton, chief engineer
of the Milwaukee sewerage commission
was a member of the commission.