USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1896 > Part 4
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The conditions are such that the purity of the water of the filter gallery is dependent upon the purity of the water of Little Pond, and, considering the exposure of the latter to pollution from the population upon its watershed, the source cannot be considered a safe one for drinking purposes. Moreover, there is a dense population upon the territory east of the pond sloping toward the filter gallery from which a portion of the water of the filter gallery is doubtless derived, and the presence of this popu- lation in its vicinity is also a menace to the purity of the water.
In view of all the circumstances the Board does not advise a further extension of the works for collecting ground water in the vicinity of Little Pond, since neither the quantity obtainable nor the quality is likely to be satisfactory, but advises that you take the whole subject of your future water supply into consideration with a view to securing a source from which an adequate supply
84
of good water can be obtained to meet the reasonable needs of the town for a considerable time in the future.
It is understood that the town has the right to take water from Great Pond in Randolph and Braintree, but, since a good ground water would doubtless be more satisfactory, before deciding as to a source of supply it is very desirable to determine first whether it is not possible to obtain an adequate supply of ground water from some suitable source.
By order of the Board, SAM'L. W. ABBOTT, Secretary.
Being of the opinion that the above was arrived at on account of a misunderstanding of the real position of the town in the premises, in order that the matter might be decided with a full knowledge and appreciation of the needs of the town, we asked the board to give a hearing to this board. Our request was granted, and after a consultation the State Board gave the follow- ing opinion, which we considered justified us under the vote of the town in putting in the wells :-
OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, STATE HOUSE.
BOSTON, September 3, 1896.
To the Water Commissioners of the Town of Braintree :-
GENTLEMEN :- The State Board of Health received from you August 25 an application for advice with reference to obtaining an additional supply of water for the town by putting in tubular wells on the shore of Little Pond, near your present pumping sta- tion, in which you state that, pending action by the town with reference to the recommendations contained in the reply of the board to a previous application, there is an urgent necessity for temporarily supplying more water to the town than can be obtained from the present filter gallery. Accompanying the application was a plan showing the proposed location of test wells along the shore of Little Pond just north of the present pumping station,
85
the nearest well being distant about 75 feet and the farthest 225 feet from the pumping station. As indicated upon the plan, the wells will be 17 feet from high water mark in Little Pond.
The board has carefully considered this scheme and concludes that it is probable that a larger supply could be obtained tempor- arily from the wells and filter gallery together than from the filter gallery alone. But as it appears that the capacity of this pond and its watershed for supplying water to the town of Braintree in a dry year has already practically been reached the increase of supply obtained by drawing from the wells would be only tempo- rary, and should a dry year occur, the supply would become exhausted.
With regard to the quality of the water to be obtained from the proposed wells, it may be said that so far as can be judged from a single analysis the indications are that it will not differ materi- ally from that of the present filter gallery, and if the water enter- ing the wells by filtration from the pond should be imperfectly fil- tered, as there is reason to expect that it may be, the water of the wells will be exposed to danger of pollution from the population upon the watershed of the pond. The sanitary conditions at present existing in the region in which it is proposed to locate the wells are bad, but the conditions could be considerably improved by careful sanitary care of the watershed. Considering the urgent need for an additional supply of water while you are seeking a better source of supply, the board considers that it is permissible to obtain it in the manner proposed if the precautions suggested are carefully observed.
By order of the Board, SAM'L W. ABBOTT, Secretary.
On September 18 the following contract was entered into :-
[PROPOSAL. ]
NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 1896.
. Memorandum of contract by and between the Honorable Board of Water Commissioners of the town of Braintree, Mass., party
86
of first part, and the Hydraulic Construction Company of the City of New York, party of the second part,
WITNESSETH :
That whereas party of second part, having made certain tests for party of first part in the vicinity of their pump house for the purpose of determining the possibility of securing a water supply by means of wells, and the same having been made under a pro- posal and agreement heretofore made ;
Now, therefore, since the above-mentioned tests have been made by party of second part, and they have nominated and re- ported their willingness to undertake the securing of a consider- able quantity of water, not to be less than 350,000 gallons per day; and, whereas, the said Water Board and party of the first part has had their plans approved by the State Board of Health ; and, whereas, the Town of Braintree at a duly authorized town meeting have authorized the said Water Board to issue bonds and expend the sum of seven thousand ($7,000) dollars for the pur- pose of increasing the water supply of said town ; we do hereby agree as follows :
The said Hydraulic Construction Company will undertake to put in a sufficient number of wells, of proper diameter and depth and of approved construction, either with or without their own special spiral non-corrosive well points. The party of the second part agree to use in connection and for the said work all and only first-class material in every respect.
LOCATION OF WELLS.
No well to be nearer the pumping station than 75 feet, nor fur- ther from said station than 225 feet, or nearer the high water mark of Little Pond than 17 feet.
It is understood that all work done is with the idea in view that in future the well system may be enlarged and extended, and all pipe fittings used under this contract are to be of such size and quality and laid in such manner as would be to such proposed ex -. tension best adapted.
87
The tubing of the wells to be heavy wrought-iron lap-welded pipe coated with Dr. Angus Smith's special non-corrosive coating, or such other coal tar preparations as may be approved by the Superintendent of the Water Board.
The cross suction mains are to be brought into the mains by means of Y's for the purpose or reducing friction. The cross suction to be wrought-iron pipe of the same quality and likewise protected with the well tubing.
A special well head is to be placed on each well, with two open- ings perpendicular to the well, same to be screwed thereon and to have a plug immediately over the well so that access may be had to the wells at any and all times. The said well heads to be of greater internal area than the diameter of the well so as to reduce friction. The wells and cross suction to be connected by means of flanges, same to be drilled to template, and bolts with hexagon heads with proper threading and to be properly proportioned for the size of each joint.
Wherever a flange joint occurs, a suitable gasket shall be used to assure the joint being air-tight.
Each well shall have a valve between it and the suction, so that it may be shut off from the others and the mains for purpose of cleaning, change or repair without interfering with operation of water supply.
The main suction shall be of flanged cast iron pipe of regular thickness, the same to be coated with a black non-corrosive coat- ing of, or equivalent to, Dr. Angus Smith's.
The main suction to wells to be 12 inches internal diameter, and to be provided with a gate valve, so that the entire well plant may be shut off or used with or without the gallery.
Wells to be connected with pumping system. The party of the second part is to furnish all materials, pipe fittings, etc., perform all labor in connecting the well system with our pumping ma- chinery as follows :-
Gates in gallery to have rods fixed upon the same run to gallery floor to stands with indicator on same to show open and shut. Flooring of well room to be reconstructed to receive stand, etc.
88
AIR PUMP.
Air pump of a proper size to be connected to well of Dean pat- tern and placed in engine room in a proper place for connections.
PUMP CONNECTIONS.
A 12-inch pipe to be connected with wells.
PUMPS.
Twelve-inch tee to take place of 12-inch ell leading to well with long and easy bend. Present suction to well or gallery to be con- nected to same with geared gate of Chapman make, to be con- nected to same under tee, also 12-inch gate on end of tee looking west through gallery wall, with pipe running from same through wall with elbow on same looking north and thence running north to wells with all bends of easy radius ; all gates to be of Chapman manufacture. All above connections and air pump to be furnished for the sum of three hundred dollars ($300.)
WELLS.
Each well to have an air chamber on same of a proper height. All works to be approved by the water works superintendent, under direction of Water Board.
All fittings to be submitted to a hydraulic test.
All work on the connection to be under the direction of the Superintendent of the Water Board, as instructed by the Water Commissioners, and to be done, as far as possible, without inter- fering with the operation of the plant.
The party of the second part, after they have put in the wells and have showed by pumping from the wells a quantity of water equal to 125,000 gallons per day of 24 hours, by a test of 48 hours, shall receive fifty (50) per cent. of the contract price or 45 of one cent or 4} mills per gallon, and a like proprotion on each additional unit of 125,000 gallons, which payment is to be on account.
When the first pumping test is made to decide as to the furnish- ing of 125,000 gallons, the party of the second part is to have an analysis of the water made by the State Board of Health. And
مطيع ينك
LEVEL OF TOP OF WATER CYLINDERS - 118.09
WELL No. 5
WELL No.3
WELL No. 2
WELL NO.1
+105.27
₩ 103.3.
163.74
84.44
LITTLE
75.5 €.
GALLERY
Station
FILTER
White of Wetherbee , Civil Engineers.
2414
26 /4
Braintree Water Works Plan and Profile Driven Wells -Scale "/ou p= 1. Feb. 1897
Pumping
Drown by-
50.4 4
26.14.
--
WELL NO.4
HP
89
it is agreed that said analysis must prove the water to be of a character fit for domestic use and of the same general character as the water now supplied from the filter gallery.
On completion of the work and after a pumping test of 48 hours, provided that the system shows an increased capacity of not less than 350,000 gallons per day of 24 hours, and provided that the water proves upon analysis to be of as good a quality as the water we now obtain, the Water Board is to pay party of the second part the whole amount earned less payments on ac- count, i. e., so that the party of the second part will have received at the final settlement nine (9) mills per gallon for water furnished in addition to amount we now have which we agree to set at 450,- 000 gallons in twenty-four hours.
If the contractor fails to furnish from the wells at least 350,000 gallons in twenty-four hours in excess of the 450,000 which we allow that our present facilities can supply, or if the analysis does not prove the water to be of a quality well fitted for domestic use he forfeits all claim for compensation other than $250 for making tests.
Should the yield of the gallery decrease the party of the second part shall furnish an additional amount of water from the wells equal to such diminution.
Thirty days after the test and after turning over the plant to the City a second test shall be made similar to the first and shall the wells show a decrease from the amount paid for, then the party of. the second part may put in additional wells or change the plant as may seem best to make up the deficit, when another test shall be made, and if the quantity is still deficient they shall refund a sum equivalent to the shortage at the rate paid them, viz., nine-tenth 1%) mills per gallon.
The combined wells and galleries to be run at their usual and normal rate for public consumption meantime.
The party of the second part agrees to give to the party of the first part a bond in the sum of $5,000 in a reputable Surety Com- pany to return any payments on account, shall they fail to obtain a minimum of 350,000 gallons per day. Or if the quality of the water is not approved by the State Board of Health.
90
The party of the second part hereby agrees, in case of the suc- cess of their efforts, and shall they obtain and be paid for a greater quantity of water than the minimum, they will credit the $250 for testing the ground on account of the contract.
MAXIMUM PAYMENT.
A further provision is made that the maximum amount to be paid under this contract by the party of the first part to the party of the second part is $5,700, exclusive of the amount called for connections and air pump.
The wells and all connections to be completed within sixty days from September 28, 1896.
(Signed)
JAMES T. STEVENS, T. H. DEARING, JNO. V. SCOLLARD, Water Commissioner of Braintree, Mass., For party of the first part.
(Signed) THE HYDRAULIC CONSTRUCTION CO.,
WM. D. H. WASHINGTON, President,
For party of the second part.
WITNESSES :
M. R. RIDER, EDWARD I. PHILIPS.
As we make up our report the work is not sufficiently completed to guarantee us in making a statement as to its efficiency. How- ever, we think that the contract is drawn in such a manner that the town can suffer no loss, and from present appearances we confidently expect that water enough will be obtained in this way at a moderate sum to supply the town at a normal growth for the next fifteen years at least.
91
A plan of the wells and piping is shown in the report and we ask a careful inspection by the citizens.
We have been very fortunate that during the season just passed we have had frequent rainfalls, so that we have not been obliged to use the water directly from the pond. Of course on account of the shortness of the supply we have been to great expense in running the pumps nightly. We expect this to be gotten rid of in a large degree when the wells are operated in connection with the gallery.
LOWERING OF THE PUMPS.
We feel that a great saving could be effected by lowering our pumps in the station. It is possible to gain four or five feet by setting the pumps on a level with the floor of the boiler room. The pumps also should be turned around, as they never were set properly. This would be a gain in pumping from the gallery, and a decided improvement in lessening the lift from the new wells.
This change would doubtless cost in the neighborhood of $2000 and we ask the town to pay for it out of the loan authorized by the legislature of 1896. .
LEAD SERVICE.
All street connections are now made with lead pipe and we rec- ommend the economy of its use to consumers.
COVERING OF THE STANDPIPE.
Upon investigation we find that the action of the sun and light on the water by reason of the standpipe being uncovered, promotes a fungus growth which is objectionable.
All authorities seem to agree that stand-pipes should be kept dark.
We propose during the coming year to erect a suitable roof over our stand-pipe so that we may remove all cause for vegetable growth in the water.
ELECTRIC RAILROAD OVER THE WATER PIPE.
Despite the protest of this board, the Quincy and Boston Street Railway Company was allowed to lay a track directly over the 12
92
inch main on Pond street. It would now be almost impossible to take up this pipe.
We believe it was unwise to allow a railway company to lay a track in an economical manner for itself when it entailed a positive loss to the town.
We ask the perusal by the citizens of the report of Supt. May- bury, the report of the registrar, the treasurer of the sinking fund and the report of the State Board of Health.
Very respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. STEVENS, T. HAVEN DEARING, JOHN V. SCOLLARD, Board of Water Commissioners.
مسهيبة
ต้นกล้าลองอุทัย
REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH ..
The following table gives statistics with regard to the consumption of water in the cities and towns in this State where such records are kept. The consumption per inhabitant has been obtained by dividing the average daily consumption by the total population of the city or town in 1895, and consquently is somewhat less than the amount used per consumer, because there are in all cities and towns some who do not use the public water supply. This differ- ence is most marked in towns containing villages to which the public water supply has not been extended, and in towns where the works have been in operation but a short time and where water has not come into general use. In some towns the population during the summer months is much greater than is shown by the census returns, and in such cases the consumption per inhabitant as given in the table is somewhat higher than it would be if allowance should be made for the increased population in summer.
Statistics relating to the Consumption of Water in various Cities and Towns :-
CITY OR TOWN.
Population 1895.
Average Daily Consumption. Gallons. 1895.
Daily Con- sumption per inhab. itant. Gallons. 1895.
Abington and Rockland
9,730
407,000
42
Amesbury
9,986
239,000
24
Andover
.
6,145
331,000
54
Attleborough
8,288
306,000
37
Avon
·
.
1,626
62,000
38
Ayer
.
2,101
73,000
35
.
96
Beverly
11,806
810,000
69
Boston (Cochituate Works)
456,616
50,801,100
112
Boston, Somerville, Chelsea, Everett (Mystic Works)
142,341
9,467,000
66
Bradford .
4,736
473,000
100
Braintree
5,311
308,000
58
Bridgewater and E. Bridge-
water
7,580
164,000
22
Brockton .
33,165
1,095,000
33
Brookline .
16,164
1,308,000
81
Cambridge
81,643
6,073,000
74
Canton
4,636
179,000
39
Cohasset .
2,474
65,000
26
Cottage City
1,038
58,000
56
Danvers and Middleton
9,019
606,000
67
Dedham
7,211
411,000
57
Easton
4,452
82,000
18
Fairhaven .
3,338
70,000
21
Fall River .
89,203
3,167,000
35
Foxborough
3,219
141,000
44
Framingham
9,512
362,000
38
Franklin
5,136
201,000
39
Gardner
9,182
504,000
55
Gloucester
28,211
739,000
26
Grafton
5,101
85,000
17
Holliston .
2,718
79,000
29
Hopkinton
2,984
33,000
11
Hyde Park
11,826
482,000
41
Lawrence .
52,164
3,005,000
57
Lexington
3,498
136,000
39
Longmeadow
620
23,000
37
Lowell . .
84,367
6,926,000
82
Lynn and Saugus
66,851
4,360,000
65
Malden
29,708
1,471,000
49
Manchester
1,876
116,000
62
Mansfield .
3,722
126,000
34
Marblehead
·
7,671
268,000
35
Marlborough
14,977
510,000
34
97
Maynard .
3,090
78,000
25
Melrose
11,965
849,000
71
Methuen .
5,690
149,000
26
Middleborough
6,689
213,000
32
Milford
8,959
527,000
59
Milton
5,518
133,000
24
Montague .
6,058
320,000
53
Nantucket
3,016
89,000
30
Natick
8,814
382,000
43
Needham .
3,511
139,000
40
New Bedford
55,251
4,712,000
85
Newburyport
14,552
667,000
46
Newton
27,590
1,802,000
65
No. Attleborough
6,576
183,000
28
No. Brookfield .
4,635
92,000
20
Norwood .
4,574
268,000
59
Orange
·
.
5,361
138,000
26
Peabody .
10,507
900,000
86
Provincetown
4,555
65,850
15
Quincy
20,712
904,000
44
Randolph and Holbrook
5,992
273,000
46
Reading .
4,717
199,000
42
Revere and Winthrop
11,615
874,000
75
Rockport .
5,289
85,000
16
Salem
34,473
2,163,000
63
Sharon
1,717
36,000
21
Stoughton
5,272
246,000
47
Swampscott and Nahant
4,124
408,000
99
Taunton
27,115
1,159,000
43
Tisbury
1,002
23,000
23
Wakefield and Stoneham
14,588
612,000
42
Waltham
20,876
1,222.000
59
Ware
7,651
241,000
31
Watertown and Belmont
10,631
428,000
40
Webster
7,799
209,000
27
Wellesley .
4,229
175,000
42
Weymouth
·
11,291
286,000
25
Whitman
.
.
.
5,744
187,000
32
Woburn
14,178
1,032,000
73
98
WATER SUPPLY OF BRAINTREE.
In August, September and October the water from the Braintree filter-gallery was affected by the presence of an excessive amount of iron, as will be seen by reference to the analyses in the table on the following two pages. The iron oxidizes on exposure to the air and precipitates, causing first a milky turbidity and then a rusty precipitate. Information as to the effect of the presence of iron in ground waters may be found in the explanatory note on page 104.
MICROSCOPICAL EXAMINATION OF WATER FROM THE FILTER GALLERY OF THE BRAINTREE WATER WORKS. [Number of organismus per cubic centimeter. ]
1895
Jan.
Feb.
Mar. April. May. June. July. Aug.
Sept
Oct.
Nov. Dec.
Day of examination .
8
7
8
4
8
7
12
10
7
8
8
5
Number of samples .
13607 13777 13932 14089 14253 14434 14613 14790 14997 15312 15486 15680
PLANTS.
Diatomaceæ, Asterionella . Fungi, Crenothrix .
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 400
0 110
0 40
0 52
8
0
2
0
5
0
10
2
ANIMALS.
Infusoria, Trachelomonas . .
0
1
0
0
pr.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Miscellaneous, Zoöglæa
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
62
0
Total
, 2
1
20
0
pr.
0
400
110
40
52
80
2
99
·
·
CHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF WATER FROM THE FILTER-GALLERY OF THE BRAINTREE WATER WORKS. [Parts per 100.000 ]
APPEARANCE.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN AS
Number.
tion.
Turbidity.
Sediment.
Color.
Residue on Evaporation.
Free.
Albumi-
Chlorine.
Nitrates.
Nitrites.
Oxygen Con-
sumed.
Hardness.
Iron.
13607
Jan. 7
None.
V. slight.
.07
6.10
.0000
.0070
1.01
.0780
.0000
.0936
2.2
.0020
13777
Feb. 7.
None.
V. slight.
.08
5.35
.0004
.0086
0.94
.0630
.0000
.1935
2.1
.0060
13932
Mar. 6.
None.
None.
.03
5.35
.0002
.0062
0.94
.0480
.0000
.1555
1.7
.0025
14089
Apr. 3.
None.
None.
.12
4.75
.0000
.0068
0.83
.0470
.0000
.1963
1.7
.0100
14253
May 7.
None.
None.
.15
4.90
.0000
.0078
0.82
.0270
.0000
.2002
1.4
.0030
14434
June 5.
None.
None.
.04
5.05
.0004
0074
0.85
.0350
.0000
.1315
1.7
.0045
14613
July 11.
V. slight. V. slight.
.18
4.70
.0018
.0070
0.80
.0130
.0016
.1659
1.3
.0150
14790
Aug. 8. None.
V. slight.
.20
5.35
.0004
.0040
0.84
.0070
.0001
.1092
2.9
0650
14997 Sept. 5.
Slight,
Cons.,
.02
5.40
.0010
.0060
0.82
.0020
.0004
.0936
1.6
.2150
15312
Oct. 7.
Distinct.
Slight.
48
5.00
.0002
.0030
0.89
.0030
.0002
.1014
1.9
.1600
15486
Nov. 6.
None.
None.
.05
6.25
.0002
.0040
1.00
.0400
.0002
.0858
2.1
.0050
15680
Dec. 4.
None.
V. slight.
.05
5.70
.0006
.0042
0.97
.0790
.0000
.0717
2.9
.0130
Av.
.
.
.
12
5.32
.0004
.0060
0.89
.0369
.0002
.1332
2.0
.0417
100
Date of Col ....
noid.
1895.
milky.
rusty.
AVERAGES BY YEARS.
. . . .
. ...
. ...
.07
7.14
.0006
.0045
0.85
.0948
.0003
. ...
· · ·
. ...
. . ..
1892
. ...
. . ..
,02
4.69
.0002
.0030
0.75
.0192
.0001
...
. . .
1893
. . ..
. ...
.03
4.72
.0002
0049
0.83
.0363
.0001
.1029
1.8
.0037
1894
. . ..
. ...
.04
5.19
.0004
.0048
0.86
.0338
.0001
.1000
1.7
.0135
. ...
. ...
. ...
.12
5.32
.0,004
.0060
0.89
.0369
.0002
.1332
2.0
.0417
*June, 1887, to May, 1888.
NOTE to analyses of 1895 : Odor, in January and July, distinctly vegetable; in February and October, faintly earthy ; in November, faintly sweetish ; at other times, none. In January and November the odor disappeared on heating. The samples were collected from a faucet at the pumping station.
101
1.8
. ...
. ...
1895 ,
[Analysis of gallery water for 1896.]
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS .- STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. BRAINTREE WATER ANALYSIS (PARTS IN 100,000.)
Date of
Appearance.
Odor.
Residue on Evaporation.
Ammonia.
Nitrogen as
1
Albuminoid.
No.
Collection.
Examination.
Tur- bidity.
Sedi- ment.
Color.
Cold.
Hot.
Total.
Fixed.
Free.
Total.
In Solu-
In Suspen-
Nitrates.
Nitrites.
Oxygen Consumed.
Hardness.
Iron.
Remarks.
15863
1896. Jan.
1896. 9 Jan. 10 V. slight
Slight rusty
0.02
None.
None.
5.90
. .
..
.0004
.0038
.
..
.94
.0600
.0000
. 0539
2.1
.0030 |Pump house
16198
Mar.
5 Mar. 6
None.
V. sight
0.18
None.
Faintly Vegeta'le
5.60
.0002
.0068
.82
.0650
.0000
.1872
18
.0280
do.
16547
May
6 May
7
None.
None.
0.10
None.
Faintly Earthy.
4.20
.0000
.0040
.80
.0280
.0000
.1694
1.5
.0060
do.
16921
July
6 July
7 V. slight milky.
V. slight.
0.12
None.
None.
5 40
.0000
.0044
.82
.0170
.0002
. 1725
15
.0240
do.
17095
July 29 July 31
None.
None.
0.05
None.
None.
4.60
.0000
.0050
. .
. .
.83
0:20
.0000
1224
1.6
.0060
do.
17408
Sept. 9|Sept. 10
None.
None.
0.07
None.
None.
5.60
.
.
.0022
.0074
.84
.0050
.0000
.1275
1.4
.0010
Filter gal'ry
17865
Nov. 13 Nov. 14
None.
V. slight.
0.02
None.
V. faintly Vegeta'le
6.00
..
..
.0008
.0042
..
.
.92
.0250
.0001
.0819
2.0
.0040 Pump house
.
.
. .
.
. .
.
. .
.
.
.
Loss on Igni-
tion.
Chlorine.
tion.
siou.
rusty.
[The following is the analysis of water taken from the wells recently constructed. ]
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS .- STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. BRAINTREE WATER ANALYSIS (PARTS IN 100,000).
Date of
Appearance.
Odor.
Residue on Evaporation.
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