USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1894 > Part 6
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George H. Snell
1815
N. Perry
1,000.00
Dec.
5. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co.
48.25
Radford Pipe and Foundry Co.
2,992 84.
N. Perry
1,000
Bridget M. Gallagher
1,100
G. M. Bliss
52.50
27. White & Ashley
10.50
Builder's Iron Foundry
4.48
Hersey Mfg. Co.
126.75
John T. Bates
10.00
Forbes Lithograph Co.
45.00.
James Kelly 9.25.
1
J. W. Gifford Co.
88.02.
J. W. Gifford Co.
121
ANNUAL REPORT.
N. Perry & Co.
133.03
N. Perry
227.06.
31.
S. D. Bushee
3.50
F. I. Babcock
3.00
G. H. Snell
17.25
J. W. Gifford Co.
33.78
$36,309.08.
The outstanding liabilities of this department consist of a balance of $900.00 due Nahum Perry on the contract for laying the water pipes of the Hebronville extension which is reserved by the town under the terms of the contract until six months after completion of the work ; a balance of $681.52 due the Radford Pipe and Foundry Co. for pipe for the Hebronville extension, and since paid ; and for the cost of Orr's pond.
The former owner of the land first taken for the location of the well and pumping station has accepted during the past year the amount of the award of the arbitrators to whom the matter was referred and, in accordance with the terms of the award, has delivered to the town a deed of the land.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
To the Water Commissioners of Attleborough.
Gentlemen :- Herewith I submit my report as superin- tendent for the year ending Dec, 31, 1894. As shown in the accompanying schedule the amount of pipe laid dur- ing the year has been greater than during any year since the works were built. The total length of pipe laid dur- ing the year amounts to 27,366.5 feet.
Omitting the pipe laid on streets where pipe had al- ready been laid, and also omitting all hydrant branches and blow offs, the net increase in the length of the street mains amounts to 3.95 miles, making the total length of street mains 28.28 miles. Sixty five new hydrants were set, fourteen of which replaced old hydrants, making the total number of hydrants now connected with the system .221.
The greater part of the pipe laid during the past year was in making the extension to Dodgeville and Hebron- ville and consisted largely of twelve inch pipe. With a view to finally making this line a part of a second force main from the pumping station, it has been furnished (like the County street main) with hydrants having sec- ondary gates between the main and the hydoant so that in case of accident, it will not be necessary to shut off the main in order to make repairs on the hydrants. Upon the completion of the extension as far as Dodgeville a test of the fire service was made by the fire department. Tank pressure only was used with the result that six good fire streams were thrown simultaneously.
123
ANNUAL REPORT.
Three of the streams were then siamezed into one stream and thrown through the two inch deluge nozzle over the vane on the cupola of the mill. At the some time the three other single streams were in use.
In connection with the work of the extension, the fire service on North Main street srom Park street to Sanford street, and on Sanford street has been greatly improved by replacing the small cement-pipes with twelve and eight-inch iron pipes respectively, The need of ample fire protection in this vicinity was forcibly illustrated at the time of the fire in the laundry building on Academy street recently. At that time four fire streams were taken from Santord street while probably eight more could have been obtained from North Main street if needed; while from the four inch and six inch pipes previously in use on Sanford and North Main streets but one good stream could have been obtained from Sanford street and not more than two or at the most three from North Main street.
At the present time the business property, in the im- mediate centre of the village, is protected by cast iron mains of good size which can be disconnected from the cement pipe by gates in case of necessity.
The electric light station at the Farmers having been rebuilt, a connection has been made with the pump in use at their station as suggested in the report ot last year. Upon the com letion of this connection a test of their pump was made. The gate on West street near North avenue was closed and water was forced from their pump into the main on West street between North avenue and Mechanics street. Two good fire streams were delivered with a pressure at the pump of sixty (60) lbs. By this ar- rangement of fire service, at any point between the rail- road crossing on North Main street and the Farmers, can be doubled by having a supply of water furnished through
124
ANNUAL REPORT.
the pipe from both ways. While there may be in case of fire, an uncertainty about being able to promptly obtain from such a connection a supply of water that makes it advisable to depend as little as possible on such connec- tions yet in this case it was deemed best to make the con- nection, in as much as the owners of the property guaran- teed to take a sufficient amount of water for domestic uses to pay five per cent of the cost of all pipe that was laid.
During the summer months, a systematic plan of flush- ing all hydrants on dead ends was followed which has re- sulted in removing from the pipes a great deal of reddish colored matter formerly found in the pipes (often called iron rust) but which is known to be a fungus called "Cren- othrix." This growth often occurs in water containing a large amount of iron, which is either imperfectly filtered being pumped, or contains a considerable amount of or- ganic matter on which this organism feeds. Crenothrix has not been found at the new well and it is probable that by continuing the plan of thoroughly flushing all dead ends at regular intervals during the summer, that the greater part if not all of the growth already attached to the pipes can be flushed out, while the water being furnished con- tains so little iron and organic matter that there will be little or no further growth of this organism. The qual- tity of the water from the well at South Attlebororough during the past year has been excellent as is indicated by the analyses append ed.
The quantity has been ample although the drouth of the past summer was especially long and severe. The amount of witer used during the last twelve months was con- sileri bly more than was used during the previous year. Th: following figures from the records kept at the pump- in ; station show the average daily consumption for each 1 ) 1.1 in 18)1 .
125
ANNUAL REPORT.
Average daily consumption for January,
220,458
February,
216,870
March,
207,188
April,
215,936
May,
235,298
" June,
270,829
July,
314,980
"
August,
318,938
66
" Sept,
353,240
'. October,
312,686
" November,
295,033
" December,
294,091
Average daily consumption for the year,
271,606
The average daily consumption for the week ending September 16, was 391,463 gallons, being the week of greatest consumption.
July 13 540,080 gallons were pumped, being the great- est a mount pumped in any day between June I, and Jan- I. At the time the tank was being painted 970,640 gal- lons were pumped on March 26. Of the above amount it required 662,681 gallons to fill the tank and the balance was used by the water takers.
During the spring and early summer the quantity of water that leaked from the pond amounted to fully one million gallons per day. This resulted in the lowering of the pond between two and three feet below the level of the waste way. By your directions an attempt was made to stop this leakage by the following means:
An examination showed that a considerable amount of the leakage was through the sides of the flume to the wheel pit in Orr's Factory and through the wheel pit it- self. As water was used but little in the summer months in the factory for power it was deemed advisable to pro- vide means for entirely cutting off the supply tothis flume
126
ANNUAL REPORT.
at a point near the pond. This was done therefore by driving a row of matched sheathing across the flume, and into the banks a considerable distance on each side, the bottom of the sheathing being driven to a depth of several feet below the bottom of the flume. The sheathing was cut off level with the bottom of the flume, while on each side of the flume tight buck walls were built to the sur- face of the ground.
Between these walls stop planks were inserted which effectually cut off all leakage and supply in this direction. In case of flood or in case it is desired to supply water to the wheel pit these stop planks can be taken out leaving a passage way equal to the orig- inal area of the flume. The matched sheathing was con- tinued through the centre of the dam towards the waste way, for a distance of about eighty feet and to a depth of ten feet or more below the surface of the dam. This. sheathing, with a line of sheathing that was already in place near the dam, provi les a core for the dam from the road to the west side of the waste way. In placing this sheathing in place several large bowlders were encoun- tered at a considerable depth and removed. It is proba- ble that a considerable leakage occurred at this point by reason of the imperfect packing of the gravel among these stones which were probably a part of the foundation of an old shop that once stood in that location. At the waste way where the leak had been most evident, as was shown by a continual boiling up of the water just below the stone work, we were fortunate in finding that the water passed from the west side of the waste way under the wing wall and not directly under the waste way as was first supposed. Having cleared away the gravel on each side of the wall the water was kept down by pumping and a large opening was found directly beneath the wing wall. This was thoroughly filled with a cement grout and the prir ing carefully joined to the wall of the waste way at a.
127
ANNUAL REPORT.
point back of where this opening had been found. In making these repairs at this place care was used to avoid as much as possible any disturbance of the embankment" or stone work except where it appeared absolutely nec essary for fear that the result might be an increase in the amount of the leakage. As the pond filled up in the fall a careful watch was kept but no leak has been noticed at this place. Readings have been taken on a weir placed below the dam and it is found that up to the time the pond became full, the leakage through the dam after the repairs' were completed was less than 150,000 gallons per day This leakage does not come from that part of the dam where the repairs were made but from under the planking of the flood gates on the east side of the dam. It would be rather difficult to entirely cut off any leakage from this direction and in fact if the entire leakage does not exceed 1 50,000 gallons per day the supply will not be materially effected as it would be but from 10 to 15 per cent of the amount which leaked away during 1893 and a part of 1894.
The supply of water for Orr's Factory for dyeing and bleaching is now furnished through a six inch pipe from a point in the flume between the pond and the stop planks described above. From this pipe it enters a wooden tank from which it is distributed to the tanks through lines of hose. The supply pipe is fitted with gates and the entire arrangement provides means for controlling and measu ing the water supplied to the factory.
In addition to the repairs described above, flashboards have been provided for the waste way which can be placed in position after flood water has passed in the spring and removed as soon as the fall rains begin to increase the- flow of the streams.
These flashboards will raise the surface of the water in. the pond twelve inches above the level of the waste way and retain in storage in the pond 40,000,000 gallons more.
¥28
ANNUAL REPORT.
than was contained in the pond during July of 1894. Be- sides this amount there will be a considerable quantity of water retained in the ground adjacent to the pond. In fact it is this forcing the water in the ground to rise to a certain level that makes it advisable to keep the water in the pond to a high level. At present we cannot with cer- tainty determine how long this entire quantity can be kept in storage in this pond even with the dam practically tight.
This pond is supplied during the summer months by the dry weather flow from the water shed above the pond. generally in the form of an underground stream amount- ing probably to 800,000 gallons per day.
If the dam and the banks to the pond were sufficiently tight to prevent all leakage through or under them then this daily flow from the water shed could pass below this pond only by flowing over the waste way at the dam.
Under the present conditions this underground flow and the water in storage in the pond may be withdrawn as follows:
I. By evaporation.
II. The well is largely supplied by the underground flow from the water shed above as it is intercepted on its way towards the pond.
III. By use at Orr's Factory.
IV. By leakage at the dam.
V. By gradual percolation through the natural banks of the pond to a point in the stream below the dam.
The loss by evaporation will probably not greatly exceed that of previous years and can be estimated quite closely. The loss by the second, third and fourth methods can be measured accurately. The loss by the fifth method, which will be increased by the increased head due to the raising of the water in the pond, is uncertain and depends largely on the porosity of the material of which the banks and the
129
ANNUAL REPORT.
bottom of the pond are composed. It is this very poros- ity of the ground in the vicinity of the well which ren- ders possible the large yield which we obtain from the well. We would be fortunate indeed if, at all points where there is tendency of the water to leak away from this basin, the material is sufficiently fine and compact to prevent any loss by percolation.
If we assume that the loss during the summer by evap- oration and percolation will be equ il to eighteen inches in depth over the area of the pond we will still have left 20,- 000,000 gallons more than was in storage in July 1893 which is equal to an increased supply of 200,000 gallons per day for too days. During the coming year it is in- tended to take measurements at two other places on the stream below the dam as well as records of the hei ht of water in the pond which together with the records of the rainfall will be useful in determining the yield which can be expected from this location under var- ious conditions of rainfall and storage.
ty examining the records of the average daily consump- tion during the months of 1893 and 1894 it will be noticed that in December 1894 when water was being supplied to Dodgeville and Hebronville the consumption amounted to 294,091 gallons daily or about 80,000 gallons per day more than was used in December 1893.
This increase was not due entirely to the amount used in Dodgeville and Hebronville as extensions were also made in South Attleboro where several water takers were added. A considerable part of the increased consumption was probably used in the village of Attleboro, not only by additional water takers in the village but by a gradual in- crease in the amount used by water takers who have been using town water for a considerable time and also by in creased use for manufacturing purposes.
It is probable therefore that during the summer of 1895 the average daily consumption for some of the weeks may
130
ANNUAL REPORT.
equal 500,coo gallons per day while the daily consumption in some days may exceed 600,000 gallons. Some idea of what these figures mean can be obtained when we consider that a daily consumption of 662,68 1 gallons means the use of a quantity equal to the entire capacity of the water tank.
In many places a large distributing reservoir situated at a considerable elevation, contains several days supply so that although a large quantity may be used in one day, it is not necessary to pump from the source of supply daily any more than the daily average of several days consump- tion:
But in our case if more than 150,000 gallons are drawn from the tank while the pumps are not running, the pres- sure falls below the limit where it is advisable to keep it for a satisfactory fire service. Therefore in case of a large daily consumption the supply must be promptly furnished from the pumping station as the water is used. This in- crease in the amount of water used per day has been very considerable in the last two years, yet the increase has been due to natural causes which must be expected and provided for, as,
I. The extension of the street mains and an increased number of water takers.
II. Increased use for manufacturing purposes.
III. Increased use by all consumers due largely to the more general adoption of modern sanitary appliances.
IV The probability that eventually a sewerage system
may be adopted and built that will require a large amount of water for the flushing of the sewer pipes as well as more rapid increase un er section III just referred to.
The average consumption per capita in Attleborough has been small compared with the consumption in cities and towns of Massachusetts of an equal or greater population Thus for 1893 the average daily consumption per capita in Attleborough was 27 gallons while in the 35 cities and
131
ANNUAL REPORT.
towns of a larger population than Attleboro the average daily consumption was 53 gallons per capita. These fig- ures and conditions all point with certainty to the fact that it will not be long before the daily consumption in Attle- borough during a part of the year may amount to 1000,000 gallons daily. From a financial point of view any such in- crease in the consumption of water must result in a large- ly increased revenue for the town over and above all costs of providing for the same in so far as the consumption is due to a healthy growth of the town and a legitimate and economical use of the water. In view of the possibility of such an increase in the consumption of water it may be of interest to consider the opportunities for obtaining and supplying the amount which may be needed from the water shed of the Seven Mile River.
Above the pumping station is a water shed of nearly eight · quare miles having practically no storage of water during the summer season but containing several locations where storage reservoirs of large capacity can be built at a reasonable cost. With proper storage basins this water shed could be made to furnish a yield of 3,000,000 to to 4,000,coo gallons per day throughout the entire year. By furnishing storage that would increase the flov. of the stream by 1.000,000 gallons per day du ing the summer months and extending a filter gallery in a north-easterly direction from the pumping station the increased supply can be intercepted in the coarse gravel in which the filter gallery would be built and taken from the ground in the form of a ground water, the quality of which would proba- ably be the same as that now obtained from the well.
A comparison of the yield obtained from the well at So. Attleborough and other sources of ground water supply in the state may be of interest at this time.
In 1890 water supply statistics were compiled showing the conditions existing at the end of 1889. The state then contained 25 cities and 326 towns. Of this number 132
132
ANNUAL REPORT.
places were provided with public water supplied from 128 sources. Of these 54 were ground water sources and 74 surface water sources. Of those supplied from ground water sources but 8 had a greater daily average consump- tion than Attleborough has at the present time, 300,000 gal- lons. Of these eight there were four supplied from large filter galleries and four from wells. Of the four supplied from wells none received their supply entirely from one well but all have at least two large wells and in some cases their supply is supplemented by either driven wells or a surface supply.
Appended will be found schedules of pipe laid during the year, pumping records and analyses made of the water during the year.
Respectfully submitted.
W. J. LUTHER, Supt.
Report of Water Registrar
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1894
DR.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1894 $22 90
Uncollected bills Jan. 1, 1894 712 37
Charged for meter allowances Jan. I to July 1 1894 2033.42
July I, to Jan. 1, 1895 2155.21
Rent ot meters Jan. I, '94 to July 1, 1894 248.08
66 July 1, '94 to Jan. 1, 1895 288.11
66
July 1, '94 to Jan. 1, 1895 13 00
Repair
Jan. 1, '94 to) July 1, 1894 29:13
July 1, '94 to Jan . 1, 1895 19.50 Excess of warer Jan. 1, '94 to July 1, 1894 3098.34
. 6
July 1, '94 to Jan. 1, 1895 46-16
Faucets
Jan. I, '94 to July 1, 1894 1236.19 July 1, '94 to J in. 1, 1895 1 1 58 00
16
Miscellaneous Jan. I, '94 to July 1, 1894 7246.76 July 1, '94 to Jan. 1, 1895 657.62
$18977.79
CR.
Abatements Jan. '94 to July 1, 1894
$119.43
July 1, '94 to Jan. 1, 1895 86.82
Cash paid J. T. Bates, Treasurer
17974.60
Uncollected bills Dec. 31, 1894
796.94
$18977.79
Sale of meters
Jan : 1, 94 to July 1, 1894 13.00
¥34
ANNUAL REPORT.
Assets of the Water Department of the town as per the books of the Water Registrar Jan. 1, 1895. Uncollected bills, balance of accounts $796.94
Amount charged Jan. 1, 1895 for excess of water for previous year 4972.39
$5769 33
Respectfully submitted,
WM. J. LUTHER, Registrar.
LOCATION.
12" iron pipe.
Io" iron pipe.
8" iron pipe-
6" iron pipe.
5 8" iron hydrant
6" iron hydrant
4" iron blow offs.
4"cement pipe replaced
6"cement pipe replaced
6" iron pipe replaced
Hydrants set.
Old hydrants taken up.
No.
Sanford Street
North Main Street, Sanford to Park
518
518
I
· South Main Street, Park Street to Church Street, Hebronville ·
20075
3000
1450
46
II
· Hebronville, from South Main Street across Pond to end of Pike back of Mill ·
798
2
South Main Street, Hebronville, Church Street to Seekonk Line
994 618
3
Hebronville on street west of Pond Hydrant Branches, Hebronvilla ex. Blow offs, Hebronville extension
355
579
200
South Attleboro, on Bros eztension
1224
2
453
32.5
218
9
1
Washington St. near Second St.
139
I
I
Second St., Grove St. to Washington . street. .
122
Second St., Prospect St. to Highland street
150
Emory Street extension
260
1
Park Street
I
Dunham Street
I
Totals
.
O
1224
720/
2751
355 725.51
200
2671
3518
14501
65
14
Feet.
Feet. |Feet. Feet. | Feet. | Feet. | Feet. 267
Feet. | 267
Feet.
Feet
by 8" iron pipe.
by 12" iron pipe.
by 12" iron pipe.
-
I
Maynard St., from Morey St. easterly Electric Light Station
250
5
1
No, 2
branches.
branches.
21391}
Knowles extension Hydrant Branches .
SYNOPSIS OF PUMPING RECORDS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1894.
1894.
Total pumping time
per month.
Average pumping time
per day.
Total amount of coal
used per month.
Average amount of coal
used per day.
Total number of gallons
of water pumped
Average number of
gallons of water pumped
Average duty in foot
pounds per 100 lbs. of
coal; calculated on total
coal used for starting,
pumping and banking.
No deduction for ashes
or cinders.
January
114
30
3
42
37,346
1,204
6,834,200
220,458
28,600,000
February
96
15
3
26
30,152
1,077
6,072,360
216,870
81,600,000
March
113
30
3
10
49,652
1,601
6,422,840
207,188
20,1( 0,000
April
103
45
8
28
30,461
1,015
6,478,080
215,936
33,300,000
May
115
30
3
44
31,947
1,030
7,204,240
235,298
85,800,000
June
141
45
4
44
36,361
1,212
8,124,880
270,829
35,000,000
July
159
45
5
9
38,669
1,247
9,764,400
314,980
39,400,000
August
159
45
5
9
38,862
1,253
9,887,120
318,938
40,000,000
September
176
15
5
53
40,682
1,356
10,597,200
353,240
40,800,000
October
152
45
4
55
39,596
1,277
9,693,280
312,686
37,800,00 0
November
142
30
4
45
38,099
1,270
8,851,000
295,033
36,400,000
December
150
30
4
51
39,223
1,265
9,116,840
294,091
36,400,000
Totals for the year. Daily average for the year"
1628
45
99,136,440
4
27
1,233.9
271,608
84,885,188
MONTHS.
hrs. min.
hrs. min.
lbs.
lbs.
galjons.
per month.
per day.
gallons.
foot lbs.
451,050
COMMONWEALTH MASSACHUSETTS.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH,
WATER ANALYSIS.
ATTLEBOROUGH.
(Parts in 100,000.)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE.
RESIDUE ON EVAPORATION.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN AS
Hardness
Iron.
Oxygen
Consumed.
11631
Jan.
15
Jan.
16
None.
None.
0.00
4.00
.0000
.0000
. 10
.0250
1.9
.0040
.0101
Feb.
14 Feb.
16
0.00
3.90
0000
.0004
.38
.0250
2.5
.0040
.0360
May
15
May
16
0.02
3 70
.0002
.0024
.0200
13
.0050
0546
June
19
June
20
0.02
4 00
.0002
.0002
.36
.0030
1.7
.0040
.0231
Aug.
16
Aug.
17
0.02
3.80
.0004
.0004
.30
.0130
2.3
.0040
.€500
Oct.
18 Oct.
18
0.02
4.10
.0002
.0024
.36
.0120
1.7
.0030
0474
Nov.
15 NOV.
16
0 01
4.80
.0000
0028
.45
.0220
1.8
.0010
.0359
Dec.
13
Deo.
15
0.03
3.60
.0000
.0028
.44
.0280
1.6
.0000
.0077
Average
0.02
3.99
.0001
.0013
.37
.0183
1.7
.0041
.0341
NO.
Collec- tion.
Exami. nation.
Turbid- ity.
Sedi- ment.
Color
Total.
Loss on Ignition
Fixed.
Free
Chlo- Album'd rine. Total
Ni-
trates
Ni-
trites.
None-
April 17 |April 18
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