The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-27

thing is true of Bridgeport. In Wa terbury, with our 36-inch line out of use, only the lower levels can be even inadequately supplied from East Mountain.
 Pressure Drops
 am showing you herewith the sample charts made at the water works office on Benedict street, re- cording how sharply the pressure drops during the day time. From Il p. m. until 6 8. m. the pressure there is more than 120 lbs. per sq. inch. From seven o'clock in the morning until noon the pressure much of the time falls below 90 lbs, at times as low as 85 lbs, 35 lbs. less than during the night.
 This drop in pressure seriously impairs domestic service in large areas and everywhere reduces the effectiveness of fire streams.
 Need Recognized
 At the time Shepaug tunnel was being finished, 1t was recognized that @ second pipe line would be needed. A route for 1t through Watertown was settled upon and surveys were made to determine the point at which the line should penetrate the dividing ridge between the West Branch and Steele's Brook. Work on the tunnel was started on September 30, 1926, and 1t was finished in August, 1927. This tunnel is all lined with concrete masonry and will constitute about one and one-half miles of the sec- ond pipe line.
 Extensive surveys and studies were made later to find the best route through Watertown, and the most feasible one seems to be along the main street, utilizing the space now occupied by the trolley track at least as far as from the north- ern end of the trolley track to Adt's Switch which Is about where Straits Turnpike joins Watertown Avenue.
 Based on Third Reservoir
 This second pipe line is reces- sarily based on the third and last reservoir possible to be built in the valley of the West Branch. The flow line of this reservoir has been fixed as 5oO City Datum, some three feet below the outlet of Shepaug Tunnel The three West Branch reservoirs will then be: Wigwarl-at elevation 425, City Datum, which is 280 feet above Exchange Place; Morris ReSer- voir, at elevation 5l5 City Datum, 370 feet above Exchange Place: and Third Reservoir, at elevation 59O City Datum, 445 feet above Ex- change Place. Incidentally and for comparison, the elevation of East Mountain Main Reservoir, built in 1869, which now determines pres- sure in our High Service District, is 553.
 An important consideration in connection with the introduction of @ third reservoir in the West Branch Valley is that 1t will pro- vide an additional period of de- tention for Shepaug water, making 1t safer for domestic use, and ill case the third basin IS throughly stripped as basins of the other West Branch Reservoirs have been, such detention will result in reduction
 Hard to Service
 As the City continues to spread upward over the surrounding hill- sides, 1t is becoming more and more difficult to furnish a domestic Ser- vice. At first this difficulty was met by piping from the East Mountain ' Main reservoir. This, however be- came inadequate, first, because of an insufficient supply on East Mount ain, and secondly, because building extended to still higher elevations The first difficulty was met by tr- stallation of powerful pumping station on Hecla Street which forced water through the high service with the excess passing into East Mountain Reservoir and being re. turned at times when the pump was not running. The other dif- ficulty has been met by establish ing a number of small pumping I stations on the hillsides, mostly pumping into elevated tanks. Witll the progressive increase of friction in the 36" main supply pipe. It hal been found necessary from time tt time to extend the high service N lower areas, with the result that tht burden on Helca street has steadily increased. During the year 1886, am informed that pumping cost If one form or another probably amounted to $25 ,OO0.O0. With the SC. cond pipe line based on the thirt reservoir as above described. 1t Il believed that & very considerable part of this pumping cost can b' eliminated.
 Estimate of Cost
 An approximate estimate of thu cost of the proposed pipe line ane reservoir with necessary extension and connections within City limit Is $2,5O0. .O0O.00. How much of thii cost might possibly be sharet through Federal agencies I am no able to say. I believe. however, tha similar projects have been carriet out on Q basis of the city beartni 40 per cent of the cost"
 since this report was written thu pressure difference between nigh I and day readings ct the watel works office on Benedict Street hai increased to 70 lbs. This additiona decrease in day pressure has created conditions at the Chase Ayenus pumping station which makes oper' ation of the pump impossible CT certain days of Che week.
 War Raises Consumption | 1.a the enTn4Cl