Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-17

well as for the repair or replacement of
old ones found to be mechanically de-
fecttve. The request for additional
funds was denied, however, he said, and
the department Is forced to continue
this work on an insufficient appropria-
ton Of $4,000 year.
The normal increase in water con-
sumers ranges from $500 to 1000 a year
Maj. Grove pointed out. Since water
meters cost about 81 each, he said, the
$780, would be sufficient to provide
only for the purchase Of new meters in
the years when 1000 new consumers
are connected to the distribution sys-
tenn, leaving practically no funds to re-
pair, clean or replace mechanically de-
fective meters. The department, how
ever, has been making an effort to both
extend the meter service as well as re-
pair and clean meters with its $50, 900
appropriation and as q result 1t has
been slipping behind annually In each
OF these activities. Records in posses
sion of Capt. Dram show that 769 new
meters were installed in the last fiscal
year and 5000 were repaired.
Bought Eight Years Ago.
Reports that a meter manufacturer
had "unloaded" nearly $4,000 inferior
meters on the Water Department were
declared by Holton to be without foun-
dalton. These meters, he said, were
purchased about eight years ago, and
complied at that time with the rigid
specifications of the American Water
works Association and the New Eng
land Waterworks Association.
Some Of them, 1t was pointed out,
developed defects after they were put
into service. It was impossible, how
ever, 1t was asserted, to discover these
defects before they were used.
Vast improvements have been made
In the construction Of water meters
since the 10000 were purchased eight
years ago, Holton explained, and con-
sequently these meters do not compare
in quality and mechanical construction
with later models. When additional
specifications will be drawn for the
latest type meter.
Defends Meters.
Grove described as absurd" reports
that the inaccurate meters are reSpon-
sible for large portion Of the 9,000,-
900 900 gallons Of water which the
Water Department said was lost and
unaccounted for in the last fiscal year.
Records in his office showing the water
paid for by consumers, he said, diSprove
that conclusion.
The large quantity Of water unac-
counted for Is one phase of the study
which Capt. Dram is giving particu-
lar attention. He believes a check, If
possible, on the amount of water used
by the Fire, Street Cleaning and High
way Departments will disclose the rea-
son for the unaccounted-for supply.
Leaky mains, he said, also may be one
OF the contributing factors.
In this connection it was pointed
out that some of the mains now in use
have been in the ground for 60 years.
One of these old mains on Twentieth
street was recently taken up looked like
sieve. The loss through leaky mains
and joints, however. Is not regarded as
large, since the earth which is packed
around them underground serves in
most instances as seal.
Efforts have been made to determine
the amount of water used by the Fire
Department and other municipal
agencies, but it has been difficult to
arrive at an estimate due to the fact
water consumption fluctuateS so greatly
from day to day. Fire hydrantS are
not metered and cannot be metered
because the suction caused by pumping
engines would break them and for this
reason it has been impossible to ascer-
tain the amount of water used by fire
apparatus. The street cleaning depart
ment as well as building and highway
contractors also take water from the
unmetered fire hydrants, and no &C
curate check can be made, therefore,
of the amount of water used by these
agencies