New Britain herald., 1927-05-19

l AAASS 0hN AASpOS<@A PA0AI AAH would be securing the services of 6
 consulting engineer. experienced ir
 disposal plant design. who should
 prepare the design of the plant, and
 the plans and specifications for the
 contracts. The field engineering
 work in connection with the design
 and carrying out of the construction
 should be handled by the squad in
 the City Engineering Department,
 the Designer giving sufficient super-
 vision to see that the work is car
 ried out in such a manner as to full
 fill his purposes. He should also
 test out the plant on its comple-
 tion and be fully responsible for the
 results obtained.
 Engineering Department
 The work of the Engineering De-
 partment has increased very rapid
 ly during the past few years while the other work of the Public Works Department has likewise increased at the same or greater rate. With the varied type of work required of the two branches. 1t is becoming im- possible for one executive to cover both, either satisfactorily to himself ! or properly for the city. The En. gineer should be able to study the problems and keep in touch with the progress of engineering work. but 1t is impossible if he must take care of the accounting, purchasing and details of maintenance (street repairs, sidewalks, snow removal, street cleaning. lighting. railings. signs and the like). With the imme- diate prospects of active work in sewage disposal plant construction, and in water supply extension. steps should be taken as soon as possible to separate the engineering and other works, in order that the per- son in charge of each should be in charge from the start.
 Water Supply
 I feel that the water department, charged with the responsibility of storing and furnishing the city with an abundance of pure water at all times and seasons, is one of the most important departments in the city government. We have, since 1920. been following the program arranged by Allan Hazen. and have completed some of the minor details. The mains which encircle the city are now practically con- pleted, and at the time of the tests by the National Board of Fire Un- derwriters it was found that the larger mains had increased the pressure at some of the hydrants.
 We found, however. during the tests by the underwriters that our pressure should be increased still further, and that we are now near ing the time when it will become imperative to increase our storage facilities, although recent tests by the Pitometer Company show no in- crease in the consumption of water over 1924. However, we must take into consideration that We have en- tered into contracts to furnish Plainville. Maple Hill and Newing- ton, as we'll as Berlin and kensing- ton, with water. It must be borne in mind that it is necessary for cities such as New Britain. which have acquired rights and water sheds. that might at some future time have been developed by the surrounding towns, to protect these towns and furnish them with water. and because these towns. as we'll as New Britain. are growing very rap idly we must look forward to a greater consumption of water in ! the near future. With the increased | population about our water sheds it | also stands to reason that we are | approaching the time when there | will be danger of contamination, and we must either chlorinate or filter our water to protect our citizens and to assure them water | free from pollution.
 With these facts clearly in mind | the water board recently asked that | your honorable body request the legislature to give the city the right to issue three million dollars worth | of water bonds in order to start 8 program on which it decided after careful study in consultation with Allan Hagen and City Engineer Williams.
 The first step should be the con- | struction of the filters and pure wa ter reservoir. This would assure us of pure water and greater pres | sure in all our mains as the filters and pure water reservoir will be at a higher elevation than Shuttle Meadow Lake. The second step should be the laying of a new water main from the new reservoir to New Britain, and the third step should be to lay new forty-two inch pipe line from the back of Shuttle Meadow to the pumping station at Forestville. There are also two other projects which may necessarily have to be added. The of another pumping station at Forestville and the lay ing of thirty-six inch main from the present station to Harts Mills above Whigville Reservoir.
 It is also necessary at this time that we give careful study to the of our holdings above Whigville Reservoir. At the present time We are losing much Of the flood flows that could be stored very advantageously for the dry seasons. Such a project will take a great deal of time and will require the acquiring of considerable more land.
 If the above program is followed out it will increase our present supply approximately thirty-three per cent, or three million gallons a day. and in all probability we can defer the raising of Shuttle Meadow dam for quite a few years.
 In connection with the proposed