USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1911 > Part 32
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51
71
102
93
Milton
33
82 52
63
77
77 65
per Day.
Meterage.
The metering of the entire city is progressing under the provision of state legislation requiring all services to be equipped with water meters. As in past years the number in- stalled in 1911 was somewhat in excess of that actually re- quired for the year.
Never before has there been recorded so low a rate of
or Town.
44
67
78
35
61
79
400
ANNUAL REPORTS.
water consumption for this city as for the past year, the figure seventy-four indicating the gallons per capita used for all pur- poses, domestic, public, and commercial. This rate is six gallons lower than that of the previous year, which was the lowest on record to that time.
This reduction in water consumption materially affects our state water assessment, which, it is estimated, will be $6,000 less than if the consumption had remained even at the low figure of last year.
Water Income.
While the water income holds at substantially the same figures from year to year, it is to be noted that notwithstand- ing the increase in percentage of metered services from forty- eight to fifty-three, and the natural tendency to decreased reve- nue on account of the low rates for metered water, the actual receipts from the sale of water last year were the largest in the history of the city water works.
While the percentage of services metered has increased from forty-eight to fifty-three the percentage of receipts from metered water has increased from fifty-five to fifty-nine.
In General.
The usual credit balance appears in the appropriation ac- counts of the department, and the physical condition of the water distribution system is believed to be excellent.
Following, and made a part of this report, is a copy of a pamphlet issued on May 1, 1911, by the water commissioner for the information of water consumers regarding the use of meters.
The accompanying tables give further information re- garding the water works and details of work performed dur- ing the year.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK E. MERRILL,
Water Commissioner.
-
401
WATER DEPARTMENT.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE USE OF WATER METERS.
By legislative action, to reduce water wastes and conserve the Metropolitan water supply, all buildings supplied with city water are required to have their service pipes equipped with meters. The water commissioner will designate particular sections of the city each year to which the provisions of the law shall apply, and a meter must be installed on each water ser- vice in the district so designated.
Owners of property in other parts of the city than such designated districts may have meters installed in their premises by making application therefor on blanks provided for that purpose, which may be obtained at the office of the water de- partment, city hall. Such applications for meters must be made prior to the commencement of the water income year, which is January 1; if received later than that date, they will be considered as for the following year.
One meter for each service pipe entering the building will be furnished and be owned by the city ; if additional meters are desired for tenements or stores, they must be paid for by the applicant.
The cost of making all changes in piping and all renewals or additions, inside the building, that may be necessary to in- stall the meter in a proper manner and in accordance with the water department requirements, must be borne by the property owner. The city does this work practically at cost ; the charge varies, however, with the condition of the pipes and fittings found at the time of installation, but is usually less than $5.
The owner may, if he so desires, employ his plumber to do this work, which must conform in all respects to the re- quirements of the water department. Notice of such inten- tion should be given to the water commissioner, otherwise the city will proceed with the work at the expense of the owner.
If, for any purpose, a large meter is desired on premises where the quarterly water consumption is small, a rental for the meter will be charged, in addition to the water rate.
Meters are set, whenever at all practicable, at the point of entrance of the service pipe into the building, at or near the house stop-cock; care being taken that all branches of the house plumbing lead from the service pipe on the house side of the meter.
In buildings under construction a meter connection is fur- nished the contractor to set in the pipe line until the house is occupied, when it is removed and a meter installed by the city.
In many cases, on account of unfavorable conditions where the service enters the house, or from the location of the house or service pipe, it is necessary to set the meter outside the house, generally in the sidewalk; the average cost to the property owner of such installation is about $15.
402
ANNUAL REPORTS.
With such installation the city assumes all liability of in- juries to the meter from any cause.
Freezing is injurious to water meters, and thawing them by the application of heat is also liable to damage them. They should, therefore, be adequately protected from frost by the owner of the premises.
Hot water will also seriously injure the working parts of a meter, and the property owner should see to it that the meter is protected by a check-valve, relief-valve, or otherwise, from any liability of back-flow from hot-water or steam boilers.
The city is divided into three meter districts, as follows :-
District 1-East Somerville, including all of that part of the city lying easterly of a line drawn from the Mystic river to Cambridge city line, through the centre of Fellsway West, Walnut street, Bow street from Walnut street to Somerville avenue, Somerville avenue from Bow street to Hawkins street, Hawkins street, Washington street from Hawkins street to the Cambridge line.
District 2-Central Somerville, including all of that part of the city lying westerly of the line described in District 1 and easterly of a line drawn from Medford city line to Cambridge city line, through the centre of Cedar street and Mossland street.
District 3-West Somerville, including all that part of the city lying westerly of the line described in District 2.
Meters are read quarterly,* in the following months :-
District 1-In the months of March, June, September, and December.
District 2-In the months of January, April, July, and October.
District 3-In the months of February, May, August, and November.
In order to prepare the bills, it is necessary to have the meters read before the last day of the month; each meter, how- ever, is read at regular intervals, so far as it is practicable to do so, and the charges, therefore, are for quarterly periods.
Bills are rendered quarterly,* on the following dates :-
District 1-On January 1, for the period from the Septem- ber to the December reading. April 1, for the period from the December to the March reading. July 1, for the period from the March to the June reading. October 1, for the period from the June to the September reading.
District 2-On February 1, for the period from the Octo- ber to the January reading. May 1, for the period from the January to the April reading. August 1, for the period from the April to the July reading. November 1, for the period from the July to the October reading.
*By "quarterly" is meant a period of any three consecutive months.
403
WATER DEPARTMENT.
District 3-On March 1, for the period from the Novem- ber to the February reading. June 1, for the period from the February to the May reading. September 1, for the period from the May to the August reading. December 1, for the period from the August to the November reading.
The failure of the owner or rate-payer to receive his water bill does not relieve him from the obligation of its payment nor from the consequences of its non-payment. The owner of the property supplied is charged for the water furnished the prem- ises during his ownership.
If a metered house changes ownership, the name and ad- dress of the new owner should be given to the water office at once, so that bills may be properly rendered.
Bills for metered water must be paid within ten days from date of the bill; otherwise the water may be shut off from the premises by the city and not turned on again until the bill, with costs of $1, is paid.
The rate for metered water is twelve cents per 100 cubic feet (equivalent to sixteen cents per 1,000 gallons) ; the water charge, however, will not be less than $1.50 each quarter. For this minimum quarterly charge there may be used during the quarter 1,250 cubic feet of water, equivalent to 9,375 gallons, an average of 103 gallons daily.
If in any quarter the consumption is greater than this, the total quantity used will be charged at twelve cents per 100 cubic feet, irrespective of the quantity that may have been used in any previous quarter, or of the amount that may have been paid therefor.
After a meter has been installed it will not be removed for the purpose of rating the premises on any other basis of water charges.
If a house becomes unoccupied, the owner or agent may have the water shut off and the meter removed during the period of non-occupancy by making a written request therefor to the water department and enclosing $1 to cover expenses.
A charge of not less than fifty cents is made for each month, or fractional part thereof, that water is delivered to the premises ; after which time no further charge is made for the water until it is again turned on.
Water is said to be delivered to premises if it is furnished by the city as far as the house stop-cock, whether it is used or not.
The owner or occupant must keep the water meter within his premises at all times easily accessible for reading, and protected from freezing and from injuries of all kinds. The property owner will be charged with the cost of all repairs, damages, or expenses caused by freezing, injuries, obstruc- tions, or faulty connections, and in case payment is not made
404
ANNUAL REPORTS.
on demand, the water may be shut off from his premises, and not be turned on until all charges are paid.
Any one breaking a seal, disconnecting, or in any way in- terfering with the operation of a water meter is liable to a penalty of twenty dollars.
On premises where the water is metered hand hose may be used at any hour, and the use of a lawn sprinkler is per- mitted, without extra charge.
The schedule rate is charged for all water that passes through a meter, whether it is used or wasted. The city does not assume any responsibility for the use or waste of water within metered premises.
Before entering a complaint at the water office on account of a large water bill, all the fixtures in the house should be carefully examined to see that water is not running to waste, and tenants should be questioned as to the previous condition of the fixtures and their use of the water. In most cases an explanation of a large bill can thus be reached; if not, the water department will render assistance to a reasonable extent.
The following are common causes of waste of water :-
Defective pipes.
Defective ball-cocks or valves in water closet and boiler tanks.
Leaky faucets and stop-cocks.
Careless use of hose.
Allowing water to run in the winter to prevent freezing and in the summer for cooling.
As a result of experiments the amount of water that might be wasted through defective plumbing, under average pres- sure, and its cost to the rate-payer, has been found to be as follows :-
SIZE OF STREAM.
WASTE PER DAY.
COST PER MONTH.
1-2 inch
45,600 gallons
$226 18
1-4
66
12,360
61 30
1-8
66
3,360
66
16 67
1-16
66
900
66
4 46
1-32
66
240
1 19
A hole one-thirty-second of an inch in diameter is so small that an ordinary pin will completely fill it, yet in a quarter it will waste a quantity of water, if running constantly, that costs $3.57.
The greatest number of leaks occur in water-closet tanks through imperfect seating of the ball-cock. A stream of water one-sixteenth inch in size may easily escape through a slightly defective ball-cock, causing a waste of water amounting in value to $13.38 per quarter.
405
WATER DEPARTMENT.
If a hissing or roaring noise is continually heard in the water pipes, it is evidence of a leak, and by listening with the ear pressed closely against the pipe or faucet, a very small leak may be discovered by its sound. Close the house stop-cock in the cellar, and if the sound still continues notify the water de- partment, as the trouble is probably outside the house; if it stops, the leak is inside, and a plumber should be called.
See that water is not being drawn in the house, then watch the hand on the "one foot" dial of the meter; if it re- volves, however slowly, it shows that water is escaping through the pipes or fixtures in the house; if this hand remains sta- tionary, no flow of water is being registered.
In commercial practice one cubic foot of water equals seven and one-half U. S. gallons and weighs sixty-two and one- half pounds, or eight and one-third pounds per gallon, and meters are calibrated on that basis.
An ordinary house meter is tested by weighing ten feet of water, as indicated by the register, passing through the meter in a stream five-eighths inch or one-half inch in diameter ; five feet in a one-fourth-inch stream; and one foot in a one-eighth- inch stream.
A meter that registers within three per cent. of the proper weight of those quantities of water is considered sufficiently accurate ; the variations, however, usually show a much lower percentage of error.
Meters are also expected to operate on, and register flows as small as one-thirty-second inch in diameter.
A meter is said to "over-register" when it registers more water than is delivered by it to the consumer; and to "under- register" when it registers a smaller quantity than it should.
Inaccurate registration is easily corrected by changing the driving gear of the register train.
It is impossible for a water meter to operate unless the water passes through it; the flow of the water causes the piston to move and the meter to register. It is rarely that a meter runs too fast and registers more water than is used; it may become obstructed so that it runs too slowly, but this is in favor of the consumer, as more water passes through the meter than is registered.
Meters are tested at the factory and at the department shop before being installed. If a rate-payer desires a subsequent test, it will be made upon his payment to the city of one dollar to cover expenses, which amount will be refunded if the meter is found to have been over-registering more than three per cent. It is desired that, if possible, the rate-payer or his representa- tive be present at the test.
An ordinary circular dial on a small water meter reads from 0 to 99,999 cubic feet; then the passing through the
406
ANNUAL REPORTS.
meter of one more foot of water brings the pointer on each through all the circles, always using the lower denomination of recording another 100,000 cubic feet.
Each circle is divided into tenths; figures placed over the circles indicate the number of cubic feet discharged through the meter when the pointer in that circle has made one com- plete revolution; each division of any circle, therefore, indi- cates one-tenth of the quantity expressed by the figures over the circle.
The pointer in the one-foot circle makes one full revolu- tion in the passage of each cubic foot of water, and each of the sub-divisions represents one-tenth of one foot. This circle is disregarded in the regular meter reading, but is useful in test- ing meters and for the detection of leaks in water pipes and fixtures.
To read the meter write down the figure indicated by the pointer in the "10" circle; then to the left of this figure write the one indicated by the pointer in the "100" circle, and so on through all the circles, always using the lower denomination of any two figures between which the pointer happens to stand.
When a pointer in any of the circles is so near a figure as to appear to indicate it exactly, refer to the circle next lower in denomination, and if the pointer in that circle has passed its "0," the figure apparently indicated is the correct one to use ; otherwise take the figure next lower.
Larger meters read to 1,000,000 cubic feet, and the first circle is for ten feet instead of one foot. The method of read- ing is the same, however, except that the tenths division on which the pointer stands in the first circle should be written down as the unit figure of the total reading.
In order to prevent as far as possible the waste of water by consumers through leaky fixtures or by careless usage, and the consequent large bills, the water commissioner suggests that water takers read their meters frequently, and thereby keep themselves informed as to the quantity of water they are using.
STREET MAINS, GATES, HYDRANTS, ETC., LAID, SET AND REMOVED IN 1911.
PIPE.
GATES.
HYDRANTS.
BLOW-OFFS.
WATER- POSTS.
STREET.
DESCRIPTION.
LAID.
ABANDONED.
SET.
REMOVED.
SET.
REMOVED.
SET.
REMOVED.
SET.
RE- MOVED.
Size.
Feet.
Size.
Feet.
Size.
No.
Size.
No.
Size.
No.
Size.
No.
Size.
Size.
No.
No.
No.
Adams street Ashland street Beacon street Belmont square
Buena Vista road Cedar street Clark street
Clark street Concord avenue
Street main; from main in Webster avenue to connection with main at new grade at point 112' west from Prospect street.
12" 3 16"
45
16'
146 45
12"
1
12
1
Street main; from main in North street to connection with main laid in 1910 at point 298' east from North street.
Hydrant.
Gates (on hydrant branches).
6"
212
4
212
2
40
1
6'
1 1
4ª
1
6"
192
6'
192 5
6ª
1 1
6"
1
2
1
44
4
4' 2'
1
1
1
6"
1
8'
170
8'
12
6ª
2
2
8'
258
1
Kenneson road Kilby street
Kilby street Liberty avenue Line street
Line street Line street Lowell circle
Malvern avenue McGregor avenue
Medford street Medford street Moreland street Mystic avenue Mystic avenue Newton street (east from Webster ave.)
Newton street (east) Newton street (east) Newton street (west from Webster ave.)
Newton street (west) Ossipee road Parker place
Prospect street (east from Webster ave.) Prospect street (east) Prospect street (west from Webster ave )
Prospect street (west) Prospect street (west) Somerville avenue Somerville avenue Summer street Waldo avenue
Webster avenue (north from Newton st.) Webster avenue (north) Webster avenue (north) Webster avenue (south from Newton st.)
Webster avenue (south) Webster avenue (south)
Gates.
Webster avenue (south)
Blow-offs.
4'
38
13
West Adams street
Street main ; from main in Conwell avenue to dead end 699' north from north line of Conwell avenue.
Hydrants.
Street main ; from main in Packard avenue to point 75' east from east line of Packard avenue.
8"
93
8"
1 1
6,762
2,924
62
12
36
19
10
1
7
6
6"
118 104
42
1
6'
1
6'
1
10"
225
10"
221
10"
1
10'
1 1
Hydrant.
12
12"
10 6º
310 14
Street main; from main in East Newton street to main in Everett street. Hydrant. Blow-off.
4
30
4"
1
Street main; from main in Webster avenue to connection with old main at point 20' east from west line of Emerson street.
6"
10
37
1
Hydrant.
Street main ; from end of pipe laid in 1909 at point 12' out from main in Conwell avenue to point 154' north from north line of Conwell avenue.
Hydrants.
Street main ; from connection with pipe laid in 1909 at point 12' sonth from Broad- way, to connection with pipe laid in 1907 at point 80' north from Walnut rd. Hydrant.
Street main ; from main in Somerville avenue to dead end at point 174' south from south line of Somerville avenue.
Hydrant.
Hydrants.
Street main; from connection with old main at Cooney street to point 400' south from south line of Cooney Street.
6'
40
12
6"
2
6'
1 1 11
6'
2 2
6"
84
8"
1 i
12"
1
6"
11 1 1
11
20"
292
20
292
1
20"
1
6
1
12"
1 1
1 1
12"
120
16"
80
20"
10
4'
1 1
1
2
1
Gate.
Blow-off.
G"
12
170 10
10
170 10
10" 6ª
1
10"
1
1 1
1 1
4ª
1
Gate.
Hydrant.
Gate (on hydrant branch).
Street main ; from main in Beacon street to connection with pipe laid in 1910, at Southwest line of Dimick street.
Street main ; from connection with old main at new grade at point 114' south from Washington street to connection with main in Newton street, east. Hydrants. Blow-off.
124
492
12"
12"
12'
1
=
2
3
1
20"
600
200
580
20
28
16"
56 15
16^ 10"
12 72
7
10"
10"
12
20"
4/
6'
1
00
2
14
West Adams street Whitman street
Hydrant. Hydrants. Hydrants.
6" 6"
1
4"
'2
2
6'
1
( From point 89' east from Belmont street northerly and southerly to dead ends. Street main; from main in Holland street to west line of Holland street. Hydrant.
Street main ; from main in West Newton street to connection with old main at new grade at point 208' north from West Newton street.
Conwell avenue
Conwell avenue Elm street Emerson street Emerson street Emerson street Everett street
Everett street Everett street Francesca avenue Harold street
Waterpost.
Street main ; from main in Marion street to connection with main laid in 1910 at north line of Dimick street.
351
7
5
1
6ª
223
1
6ª
27
Hydrants. Gate.
Street main ; from main in Lowell street to dead end at point 114' west from west line of Lowell street.
2'
12
2'
14
Street main ; from connection with oid main at point 59' east from Walnut street to point 143' east from east line of Walnut street.
Hydrant.
Gate.
Hydrant. Hydrant.
Gate (on hydrant branch).
Street main ; from main in Webster avenue on north side of railroad bridge to connection with old main at new grade, at point 68' west from west line of Everett street.
Gate.
Blow-off.i
Street ma n ; from connection with old pipe in low grade at point 20' west from east line of Joseph street to connection with main in Webster avenue at point 60/ south from the bridge wall on south side.
Blow-off. Hydrants.
Street main ; from main in Porter street to dead end 137' west from west line of Porter street.
Street main ; from connection with main leading from Webster avenue into Con- cord avenue, to connection with old pipe in new grade at point 155' south from south line of Concord avenue.
Hydrant. Blow-off.
44
4'
1
12'
1
1 1
296
6º
1 1
14
6"
492 21
6"
2
1
6"
2
1
16"
3 2 1 5
1"
2
727
8"
230
124
20"
1
14
1
12"
. 492
4"
10 7
1
148
11
6"
1
10"
1
1
1
12'
6'
1
1
20"
1
2
6'
2
Hydrants.
Blow-off.
1
Harold street Hillsdale road
Holland street Kenneson road
( Street main; from main in Belmont street to point 89' easterly from east line of Belmont street.
1 112 1
1
146
5
1
2
1
8
Street main ; from connection with old main at new grade, at point 122' north from Tremont street to connection with main in Newton street, east ; from connection with old main at branch for Columbia street main to connection with old main at point 56' south from south line of Columbia street. Hydrants.
2
12
Hydrants.
6'
10°
No.
.
-
.
-
.
1
4
407
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Gates Set in New Locations.
Belmont square, 6-inch gate, set 10 feet out from north line, on cast line of Belmont street.
Buena Vista road, 6-inch gate, set 10 feet out from south line, on west line of Holland street.
Clark street, 10-inch gate, set 12 feet out from east line, on north line of Newton street (west), on new grade.
Concord avenue, 12-inch gate, set 13 feet 4 inches out from south line, on west line of Prospect street, on new grade.
Conwell avenue, 10-inch gate, set 13 feet 4 inches out from south line, on east line of North street.
Elm street, 6-inch gate, set on hydrant branch, 11 feet out from south line and 11 feet west from Grove street.
Elm street, 6-inch gate, set on hydrant branch, 11 feet out from south line and 30 feet west from Russell street.
Emerson street, 6-inch gate, set 10 feet out from west line, on south line of Everett street.
Emerson street, 6-inch gate, set 10 feet out from west line, on north line of Newton street (east), on new grade.
Emerson street, 4-inch gate, set on blow-off branch, 13 feet out from west line and 3 feet south from south line of Everett street.
Everett street, 6-inch gate, set 10 feet out from north line, on east line of Webster avenue, on new grade.
Everett street, 4-inch gate, set on blow-off branch, 14 feet out from north line and 7 feet east from west line of Emerson street.
Francesca avenue, 2-inch gate, set on waterpost branch, 10 feet out from south line and 50 feet east from College avenue.
Harold street, 6-inch gate, set 13 feet 4 inches out from east line, on south line of Marion street.
Hillsdale road, 8-inch gate, set 13 feet 4 inches out from east line, on north line of Conwell avenue.
Holland street, 6-inch gate, set on hydrant branch, 13 feet out from east line and 198 feet south from Winter street, low service.
Holland street, 6-inch gate, set on hydrant branch, 13 feet out from west line and 136 feet south from Buena Vista road, high service.
Kenneson road, 8-inch gate, set 10 feet out from east line, on north line of Walnut road.
Kilby street, 6-inch gate, set 6 feet 8 inches out from west line, on south line of Somerville avenue.
Line street, 6-inch gate, set 10 feet out from east line, on north line of Cooney street.
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