The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-23

1
years, since Atkinson became mana
ger Of the water department, fol-
low:
Fiscal year ending June 80,
! Income Expenses
1925 .......... $63,327.2O $56,373.52
1926 .......... 68,35165 56,554.94
1927 .......... 71,87654 58,188.28
1923 .......... 80,354.42 59,832.58
1929 .......... 84,56483 62,567.34
1880 ......... 95,4O495 63,995.5
1881 .......... 95,6O827 69,454.93
The rise in the water departments
business has followed the growth OF
the city, Atkinson pointed out.
In 1923 the city had only 1895 con-
sumers. On June 80, 1881, Bismarck
had 1878 water consumers.
Spent $4,000 Last Year
Bismarck residents spent $84, 900 for
296 SGT 900 gallons of water pumped
during the fiscal year ending June 30.
1881. The total pumping this year
promises to be slightly greater since
total Of 299,135,00o gallons has been
pumped into the mains in the last II
months.
Heavier than usual rainfall, how
ever, would cut down the expected
consumption of city water somewhat
Special lawn and garden water rates
Will be In effect again this year from
May until September. inclusive, he
said. Water to be used for sprinkling
OF lawns and gardens during these
months is offered at a reduced rate.
which is II cents for each 100 cubic
feet of water in excess of the winter
monthly average for each customer
plus 300 cubic feet.
Regular rates are 371s cents for the
first 400 cubic feet. 80 cents for the
next 7,l00 cubic feet, 22l: cents for
the next 10000 cubic feet, and Is
cents for all in excess of $500 cubic
feet.
Water consumption figures for
previous years indicate that the use
OF water is increased greatly during
the summer months, principally be-
cause OF sprinkling activities, Akin
son said.
Monthly water consumption in Bis
marck for the last II months was as
follows: April. 1881, 20.2OO,O00 gallons:
May, 27,9OO, 900; June $500, 900. July.
37,245,O0O; August, 81 ,OO1 900: Septenn-
per, 3O,31O,0OO: October, q $50 900: Mo-
vember, 17,463,000; December, 2O024 :
ooO; January. 1882, 18,491 900: Febru-
airy, 18,448.0 900; and March, 1888 900.
Summer Consumption Heavy
This shows that as much wafer ,s
pumped IN the five months from May
10 September as during the seven
remaining months OF the year.
consumption of water here varies
put little from year to year, regardless
OF economic conditions, except that
water pumped increases in relation to
the population growth, Atkinson said.
The city paid $225, 900 for the water
plant in 1923, the purchase including
the l2-lnch main from the plant to
the city on Rosser avenue, the old
pumping station and intake, and an
Old booster pump.
IN the spring Of 1928 it was decid-
ed at an election to issue $225.OOO in
general obligation bonds for the pur-
chase. Another bond issue OF $235 900
lor improving the plant was decided
on at an election in the fall of the
same year, Atkinson said.
The bonds in the first issue were Ia
pe retired with the payment of $11 900
annually from 1924 to 1888, inclusive.
and $4,000 annually from 1929 to
l943. inclusive. Interest on this issue
is five per cent.
Bonds in the second issue were to
be retired with annual payments Of
$4,000 from 1894 to 1885, inclusive.
and $4,000 from 1888 to 1913. inclus-
I've. Interest on these bonds is six
per cent.
! Build Sinking Fund
In preparation for the beginning OF
retirement payments on the second
bond issue in 1884. the water depart
ment has been building up sinking
fund, which now has approximately
$4,000.
This sinking fund, however, is not a
surplus and the water department is
obligated to maintain it to meet pay
inents when they begin falling due,
the manager said.
The water department has been
meeting its interests payments on
both bond issues and making its reg
ular retirement payments on the first
bond issue and building the sinking
fund for the second bond issue on
schedule since the plant was pur-
chased, Atkinson said.
| Plant Maintains Self
In addition to these payments. the
earnings Of the water department.
nave taken care of operating and
maintenance expenses of the plant.
The water department also contrib
uted $4,000 to the water main district
special assessment fund, $4,000 in 1885
and $4,000 in 1881, to wipe out deficits
incurred when taxes paid were insult
ficient for various reasons, Atkinson
said.
The special assessment warrants,
approximately 100000. were issued by
the city commission in 1924 for the
purchase of distribution mains nee
essary for the operation of the plant.
Since the plants purchase. the city
has improved it considerably and 1t
now is equipped to provide water for
a city Of $4,000 inhab.tan.s.
A second large main leading from
the plant to the city, a 16-irch pipe
on Avenue G, has been purchased and
laid. additional distribution n,.4::1s
have been laid in the city, new tn
gines and pumps have replaced old
machinery, and numerous os;ser I'm
proyements have be@n made in the
water department. system.
The department. :1ow employs eight
4. H.
'en6crt OF plant. three men who do
general utility work a. the plant and
,rsrG 1.eterS and repair mains in the
city. al engineer, aad an operator Of
the liMe5iEg plant.