USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1905 > Part 12
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Erie
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Everett.
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Fall River
3
Fitchburg
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Forbes (Northampton).
2
Helena.
I
I
Draper Manufacturing Company .
PUBLIC LIBRARY
327
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Pamphlets
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Hyde Park
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I
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9
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Lynn
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9
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1
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Worcester
I
Linehan J. C
2
Marshall, W. I
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Massachusetts, Commonwealth of.
27
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56
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2
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Mohawk Lake Conference
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9
5
Smythe, R. M
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Somerby, C. I.
3
Stevens, C. E.
I
Stone, George P.
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Theosophical Society ( Mrs. R. Tingley )
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Portland ( Me)
P
328
ANNUAL REPORTS
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2
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I
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7
183
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8
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3
54
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I7
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28
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I
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I
Wills, Edith R
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Yale university
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*Also weather maps.
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War
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66
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ANNUAL REPORTS
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W. W. Goodwin
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Pro Armenia
Raja Yoga Messenger
Mrs. Tingley
Wail St. Journal Publishers
Worcester Magazine.
333
Annual Report
OF THE
Board of Water Commissioners
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Board of Water Commissioners
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of . Newburyport;
GENTLEMEN : - The 10th annual report of the board of water commissioners for the year ending November 29, 1905, is herewith presented.
The continued lack of rains for a number of years has been felt more at the pumping station this year than ever. We continued driving small wells during the winter, and obtained some good results, but having covered most of the available ground in this way, it was decided to discon- tinue this work and employ an experienced well driver to sink some large wells into the ledge. Contracts were made with B. F. Smith & Bro., of Boston, and work com- menced the first of July.
Six wells were driven, varying in depth from 87 to 190 feet, and from three of these a large amount of water was obtained.
The water became so low in the basin the middle of July that these wells were hastily connected up and pumped
337
338
ANNUAL REPORTS
with an air compressor borrowed from Amesbury, and with the supply thus obtained we were able to get through the season. A new compressor has been ordered and will be installed in the station early in the year.
While these wells have proved a great help in tiding us through this year, it is the opinion of your board that steps should be taken immediately looking toward an additional supply, and your attention is again called to our letter of December 4th.
From additional surveys made by our engineer, Mr. F. C. Coffin, it has been found that the water from the Arti- choke river will flow around the river bank, to our station, by gravity.
Copies of his original report and an additional one on this source of supply are included in this report.
Following out our policy of last year we have continued to improve the system by laying a 14-inch pipe from the standpipe through Jefferson and down Merrimac street to Kent where it is connected with the eight-inch pipe running to Market square. All the hydrants on these streets have been connected with this pipe and while no tests have been made we know that in case of fire a much larger quantity of water will be available for use on this line and all streets connected with it, as well as in the centre of the city.
This work was done by contract with Cashman Bros. Co. and has been completed in a very satisfactory manner.
During the season a number of gates (II) have been found that were broken and closed, these have all been
339
WATER COMMISSIONERS
repaired and opened which adds greatly to the efficiency of the system. It will be our policy to have all the gates given frequent trials in the future to make sure that they are in good working order. It is also our intention, from time to time, to install new gates in the larger sections, cutting these section into smaller ones, so as to do away with shutting off such a large area and depriving so many people of water in case of a shut down for any cause.
You having given the Frog pond system to our care, we have had all the resevoirs repaired and the gates, where needed, put in good order. We have also had the intake at the pond examined and repaired. This system is in better condition now than ever and will do good service in case of fire.
We would recommend that the pipes be extended, from time to time, as money is available, that it may be made to cover a much larger territory.
The intense cold of last winter caused a large number of services and hydrants to freeze, we were able to clear most of them, but some we were obliged to leave until spring. During the summer most of these have been lowered. The cost of keeping these services and hydrants clear, together with the renewals of the same, has added much to our maintenance account.
There have been nine leaks in service pipes and Io in main pipes during the year. Some of these caused con- siderable expense besides the loss of a large amount of water. Such accidents as these are inevitable and are liable
340
ANNUAL REPORTS
to occur any time until the old cement lined pipes are re- placed with iron pipes.
We have sold a small strip of land at the pumping sta- tion to Mr. Charles W. Moseley, for the purpose of straightening the boundary lines; by agreement with Mr. Moseley he is to have all the lines between our lands sur- veyed and advertised under the proper act in order that they be legally fixed.
New boilers have been purchased for the pumping sta- tion, the Boiler Insurance Company having condemned the ones in use at the present time. The following is the pumping station report for the year:
December
21,023, 169 gallons
January
22,529,558
February
21,071,900
March
22,639,873
April
22,422,732
May.
23,078,457
June
23,629,620
July
23,758, 117
66
August.
20,832,507
September
21,368,458
. .
October
23,246,016
November
22,370, 144
Daily average.
732, 160 66
During the year we have received 100 applications for water for which 80 service pipes have been laid, requiring 2,951 feet of pipe.
341
WATER COMMISSIONERS
RECEIPTS OF THE NEWBURYPORT WATER WORKS
From December 1, 1904, to November 29, 1905
Water rates:
From December 1, 1904, to May 30, 1905 $15,589 20
From June 1, 1905, to November 29, 1905. 17,412 29
$33,00I 49
Meter rates :
From December 1, 1904, to May 29, 1905. $3,186 20
From June 1, 1905, to November 29, 1905. 2,669 13
5,855 33
From sundry water receipts
201 80
Total receipts for water
39,058 62
Other receipts :
Interest
$408 89
Real estate
71 34
Extension of mains
103 06
Service pipe construction.
223 28
Newbury
22 75
Hydrant construction.
80 68
General maintenance
7 32
Pumping station maintenance
60 60
977 92
Total receipts
$40,036 54
342
ANNUAL REPORTS
SUMMARY OF PAYMENTS
From December 1, 1904, to November 29, 1905
Construction :
Extension of mains
$11,949 52
Newbury
238 43
Service pipe construction
1,689 70
66 Newbury
46 30
New supply
1,231 10
Hydrant construction
683 32
General
28 19
Gate
163 38
$16,029 94
Maintenance :
General maintenance
$2,739 74
Service pipe
1,319 34
Main . .
379 81
Pumping station maintenance.
6,593 04
Reservoir
2 00
Hydrant
246 66
Gate
303 63
Meters
66
47 19
Street stand pipe
9 50
Frog pond system.
337 58
11,978 49
City of Newburyport, bonds and interest.
18,002 50
Real estate.
6 00
Total expenditures.
$46,016 93
343
WATER COMMISSIONERS
SUMMARY
Cash on hand as per last report. $ 7,631 43
Received during the year. 40,036 54
$47,667 97
Expenditures during the year
46,016 93
Balance 1,651 04
Cash in office
$ 68 04
Cash in First National bank.
1,583 00
- $ 1,651 04
TRIAL BALANCE
November 29, 1905
DR.
CR.
City of Newburyport
$ 77,892 50
$
Cash. .. 68 04
First National bank
1,583 00
-
Construction
122,344 28
Real estate.
19,171 52
Profit and loss
143,166 84
Public buildings
11,752 50
Fire service
66,140 00
$221,059 34
$221,059 34
344
ANNUAL REPORTS
The obligations of this board December Ist are $15,969 .- 87, which amount includes $5,792.50 due the city for interest on bonds. The above amount, together with the running expenses of the department, will have to be met from the earnings of the first half of the year.
· Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. BLISS, JOHN W. WINDER, IRVIN BESSE, LOUIS F. BARTON, TIMOTHY HARRINGTON.
345
WATER COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF AUDITOR
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport:
GENTLEMEN :- I have examined the books of the treas- urer of the Newburyport Water Works, from December Ist, 1904, to November 29th, 1905, inclusive, and find them correct and properly vouched.
Yours respecfully,
WILLIAM H. WELCH, City Auditor.
)
ANNUAL REPORTS
346
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
Newburyport Water Works. Acquired by the city Feb- ruary 1895.
Source of supply, ponds, wells and springs.
Mode of supply, pumping to standpipe.
Capacity of standpipe, 600,000 gallons.
Capacity of ponds and wells, 6,000,000 gallons.
Total number of gallons pumped during the year, 267,238,400.
Coal consumed for the year, 1, 121,098 pounds.
Kind of pipe, cast iron and cement lined!
Sizes, from 2 to 16 inch.
NUMBER OF FEET OF DIFFERENT SIZES
16 inches
. 386 cast iron
I4
. 6,900
I2
22,777
8
. 1,80I
8
. 6,233 cement lined
6
17,825 6 66
·55,898 cast iron 4 6 € 19,663 4
66 10,745 cement lined
2 and smaller .. 45,878 A total of 35.62 miles.
Total number of services 3,220.
Number of miles of service pipe 19.93.
Total number of takers, 3,965.
In actual use November 30th, 1905, 3,598. Number of hydrants, 218. Number of meters, 67.
347
WATER COMMISSIONERS
LIST OF BUILDINGS SUPPLIED FOR FIRE PURPOSES
W. H. Noyes & Bro. Co
. Chestnut street
Peabody Mfg. Co.
Federal
Peabody Mfg. Co
Charles
Edward Perkins Lumber Co
Water
Fiberloid Mfg. Co
Water
Dodge Bros.
Merrimac 6.6
Towle Mfg. Co
Merrimac
66
Chase-Shawmut Co.
Merrimac
Burley, Stevens & Co
Monroe
E. P. Dodge Co.
Pleasant
Newburyport Shoe Co
Prince place
N. D. Dodge & Bliss Co
Prince
REPORTS OF FREEMAN C. COFFIN ON ARTICHOKE RIVER WATER SUPPLY
BOSTON, March 10, 1903.
To the Board of Water Commissioners, Newburyport, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN : - I have studied the question of increas- ing your water supply by the construction of a dam and basin at Jackson spring.
My estimate of the capacity of the basin and the cost of the dam is based upon a contour map furnished by you.
I find that the capacity of the basin and cost of the dam and cleaning basin, with the high water line at various heights, is approximately as follows :
El. high water Depth water
in basin
at dam
Area basin at high water
Capacity basin in gallons
Total net cost, 15 per ct. added for engineering
Contour 30
14 feet
·48 acres
2,100,000
$11,824.30
Contour 35
19 feet
1.37 acres
4,300,000
16, 100.00
Contour 40
24 feet
1.91 acres
7,500,000
20, 169.85
Contour 50
34 feet
3.22 acres
17,300,000
32,614.00
Contour 56
40 feet
4.06 acres
26, 100,000
41,359.75
In the above storage capacity an allowance is added for the storage of water in the gravel sides which will flow into the basin as the water surface is lowered,
348
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WATER COMMISSIONERS
The above estimates of cost are based upon an earth embankment dam with a masonry core wall, a safe, sub- stantial and durable structure, with paved slope on the upstream side and grassed top and down stream slope, except on that portion which is flooded by the Merrimac river, which will be protected by heavy rip-rap or paving. It is hardly practicable to build a masonry dam, as test borings show that it is 38 feet from the surface of the ground to the rock at one point under the site of the dam.
The greater part of the flow from the area which will drain into this basin is now taken through a pipe by gravity to the pond at the pumping station.
If this flow is not required during the wet months of the year and can be stored in the proposed basin for six months, I believe that the basin can be filled each year to any of the elevations given in the foregoing table, except perhaps to contour 56. It may be impossible to fill the basin to that height in a very dry year from the water shed alone.
Assuming that the basin is filled each year, the availa- ble storage will, after deducting evaporation from the water surface, add to the present supply as follows for a period of four dry months:
If built with high water line at El. 30. · 15,200 gals. per day
35 . 29,400
40. . 53,300
66
66
66
66
50. 128,000 66
56. 198,000 66
There is, however, serious likelihood that the flow from this source may in dry years be required for the daily sup-
350
ANNUAL REPORTS
ply, even through the wet months, and cannot be spared for filling the storage basin (especially if the consumption increases). At the same time there would be no surplus in the pumping station pond that could be pumped into the storage basin as has been proposed. Then the only resource for filling the basin would be the flow from an area of perhaps 40 acres in extent which might be turned into the basin by trenching. This would only be availa- ble in the winter months, as there is no surface flow from this area, even during heavy rains, except when the ground is frozen. The ground is so porous that at other times all of the water sinks into it. Even this might fail in a dry year.
Taking these matters into consideration, I am of the opinion that the construction of a dam and basin might fail to add anything to the present supply in a very dry year. It is needless to say that a source that will not pro- vide for the driest year is practically a failure.
I am not able, therefore, to recommend the construction of this dam and basin unless some means of filling it can be found other than those already mentioned.
In seeking some source from which this basin can be supplied, I find that the Artichoke river is the nearest and most available source that can be depended upon for a sufficient supply at all times.
The water of this stream can be taken at a point within a quarter of a mile of the Merrimac river on the easterly side of the Curson mills road, where there is a water shed of approximately six square miles. This would supply
35I
WATER COMMISSIONERS
about 400,000 gallons per day in the driest times without storage. There is, however, a storage of about 21 million gallons which (if the town can secure the right to utilize) will give this source a daily dry weather capacity of about 750,000 gallons per day. The storage capacity can be in- creased at comparatively slight expense to an amount that will give this source a capacity of over 1,000,000 per day. There is, however, no apparent present prospect of requiring an additional supply exceeding 400,000 gallons per day.
The water of the Artichoke river, however, is not en- tirely suitable to use as a drinking water in its present condition. It has considerable vegetable matter in solu- tion and suspension, giving it a dark color and unattrac- tive appearance. I am of the opinion that this water is practically free from sewage pollution, and in its present condition its use would not endanger health. It only requires some treatment to remove the color and make it attractive in appearance.
The Jackman spring water shed and basin offers the ideal condition for the treatment of a water of this descrip- tion. Substantially the entire area of the water shed is composed of sand and gravel well adapted to the type of filtration required by this water.
The topography of the land is such that by pumping the water to the outer edge of the water shed it can be led by gravity to any part of the area, and discharged upon filter beds or trenches. These beds or trenches can be in- expensively prepared by removing the loam and grading.
352
ANNUAL REPORTS
No underdrains will be required to collect the filtered water. Test borings show that a properly constructed reservoir in the natural basin at the foot or outlet of the water shed will intercept and collect any water flowing in the ground.
The slight expense required to prepare the filter beds renders it an easy matter to provide an area which shall treat the water at a slow rate, which, with intermittent ap- plication and the aeration of the sand, which such form of application provides, ensures the most effective treatment of the water to remove the color and make it clear and attractive in appearance.
I, therefore, propose as an additional supply for New- buryport, with an immediate capacity of one half million gallons per day (in addition to that of the present source) and at a moderate additional expense, if it should be re- quired in the future, an increase to over one million gal- lons per day, the taking of the water of the Artichoke river, pumping it to the Jackman spring water shed, treat- ing it there by intermittent sand filtration, collecting and storing it in a reservoir at the foot of the water shed, and leading it from the reservoir through a cast iron main to the present pumps.
The different parts of the plant required in the develop- ment of the proposed plan may be briefly described as fol- lows :-
PUMPING STATION
The building will be a small, substantial brick building designed for a duplicate set of pumping machinery.
353
WATER COMMISSIONERS
The station will be located on the shore of the Artichoke river at any convenient point in the vicinity of the Curson mills road. The water will be taken from the river through a cast iron conduit into a screen and pump well.
The pumping machinery will consist of a 500,000 gallon, vertical, triplex power pump, driven by a kerosene oil or gasolene engine. Space will be provided for a second plant of this or a larger capacity to be in- stalled.
This type of pumping plant is chosen rather than steam because its first cost is much less, and for the amount of work required the annual cost of its maintenance will also be less. It requires but little attendance. A similar plant in use on the Cohasset Water Works, which has been running four or six years, is started each morning,
. not necessarily by an engineer, the building locked, and at night, some one, often a boy, shuts it down. The plant can be arranged, by running an electric wire, to be shut down at any distance by simply pressing a button,
If the plant is run continuously, one or two visits each 24 hours for oiling and inspection are sufficient.
The plant is especially adapted for conditions where it is to be run only a portion of the year, as will probably be the case with this for some years at least.
PUMPING MAIN
It is proposed to lay a Io-inch cast iron main from the pumping station to a point within about 1500 feet of the filter beds. From this point it will flow by gravity in a
354
ANNUAL REPORTS
12-inch vitrified pipe. The total length of the main from the pumping station to the filter beds is about 8300 feet.
FILTER BEDS
It is proposed to prepare a sufficient area of filter beds to treat about 500,000 gallons per day. Plans have not been prepared for this work, which consists mainly in re- moving loam and grading surfaces for beds and trenches.
RESERVOIR
It is proposed to build a reservoir in the natural basin below Jackman spring with a capacity of about 2,500,000 gallons.
This. reservoir will be covered by a masonry roof or vaulting of concrete arches supported by concrete piers.
It is proposed to cover the reservoir to prevent the growth of vegetable micro-organisms which almost inva- riably take place in ground water when the latter is stored in the light. The death and decomposition of these organisms create very unpleasant tastes and odors in the water, which must be avoided at any cost.
The down stream wall of the reservoir will extend from the face of the ledge on one side to the face of the ledge on the other, and under it will be driven a continuous line of sheet piling to the rock surface. In this way a com- plete cut-off is made across the valley, and all of the water falling or pumped upon the surface above the line of the cut-off will be intercepted and collected in the reservoir.
355
WATER COMMISSIONERS
It is believed that of all of the water pumped upon the filter beds there will be none lost, except by evaporation upon the beds, probably not more than two or three per cent of the whole amount pumped.
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