The Coconino sun., 1925-12-11

adequate pressures for fire demands
as we'll as for domestic consumption.
The reservoir capacity is larger per
capita (being 10000 gallons on a
basis of 5000 population) than any
city in the United States. With the
new proposed reservoir of $4,000 900
gallons, Flagstaff will have a storage
| of 10000 gallons of water for every
lnhabitant--an unusual record.
This large storage is. made neces-
sary. for several reasons; one is that
the extremely cold weather at the
springs, which are about 10000 feet
elevation, causes deep penetration
OF frost into the volcanic ash forma-
tion, freezing the ground to such a
depth as to stop the flow of the
springs during extremely cold periods.
Then the long pipe line is subjected
to the usual mountain hazards of
land slides, snow slides, washouts,,
fires, ETC., making the large reserve
supply essential.
The Santa Fe railroad assisted in
financing the present water supply
project and again joined with the city
in financing the present improve
ments, which will cost about a half
million dollars.
Additional water is needed for lun2
ber industries and other industrial re-
quirements as we'll as for domestic
purposes. Water from the new sup
ply as from the present one, will be
hauled daily about 100 miles to the
Grand Canyon hotel, where train
load of water is required every day
for domestic, fire protection, ice-mak-
ing and ewer-fIushing purposes.
Flagstaff is believed to hold several
unique records in water supply prob
lens that do not confront the average
city. These are as follows:
& First-Snow depth at source Of
supply often over 20 feet.
Second-Frost penetration 10 or IL
feet into volcanic ash formation,
which stops flow of springs.
Third-Largest storage capacity
per capita 10000 galons) of any
town in the United States.
Fourth-Hghest elevation of source
of supply with continuous pipe line
from source to municipality, with drop
of about 1000 feet.
Fifth Water hauled by train and
used for domestic requirements 100
miles from Flagstaff
The water is Of exceptional purity,
with a summer temperature of 80 de-
grees, nearly equal to that, of ice
water. The natives contend that it is
the coldest and purest supply of any
municipality in the worId--a state
r1ent both hard to prove and equally
hard to refute.
The construction Of the 1914 work
was under the direction of the Santa
Fe engineering department. Late in
1922, the Burns and Mcdonnell En-
gineering company, consulting engi-
neers of Kansas City, Mo-, was re-
tanned to report on the necessary inn
provements and to design and super
wise the construction Of the new work.
c. e. Green of Los Angeles, Calf,
was awarded the contract for the
construction of the new reservoir.
It is expected that construction will
be completed by the close of this year,
1925. The total cost of the improve
merts will be approximately one-half
million dollars.
Comparison of Arizona's rates with
those of central states. First column
of figures is average residential meter
rate per 1000 gallons; second calumn,
average commercial rate per 1000 gal
Ions; third column, average yearly
minimum bill.
Illinois ..s.304 cents .13Q cents S 6.26
Nebraska ...312 cents .142 cents 7.03
Kansas ..328 cents ITO cents Isl
Arizona .9T5 cents .295 cents 1000