Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1875, Part 28

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 490


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1875 > Part 28


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31


During the year, two hundred and four (204) applications for water were received, of which number all but four were granted and the service pipes laid.


I rendered to the City Treasurer for collection the following water bills :-


By Meter, 2,578 amounting to


$41,500 14


" Assessment,


7,229


60,212 89


Total, 9,807


66


$101,713 03


The water was shut off from the premises of one hundred and twenty-nine (129) takers, on account of unpaid over-due bills for water and labor furnished, and immediately let on upon the pay- ment of bills.


Abatements amounting to $12,018.51 were made, owing to parties ordering meters, on account of tenements which were vacant three months or more, and for correction of assessments.


The quantity of metered water sold is as follows :-


From October, 1874, to April, 1875,


66,515,086 gallons.


" April. 1875, to October, 1875, 134,508,109 66


-


407


REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR.


METERS.


During the year, three hundred and seventy-nine (379) meters were placed on the works, making at the present time in use fourteen hundred and eighty-six (1,486), the sizes and kinds of which are as follows :-


& in.


¿ in.


1 in.


2 in.


3 in.


4 in.


Union Water Meter,


242


33


4


3


-


-


Desper,


75


5


1


-


-


-


Gem,


15


-


-


1


1


2


The " Union " Meter has been in use a number of years and gives good satisfaction, and is deemed as reliable as any in the market. The new " Desper " Meter, patented November 18th, 1873, is a decided improvement on the old meter. The former being adopted by the Committee, with certain provisos, for one year, is not entitled to the criticism which a longer term of opera- tion would bestow, but the experience thus far is satisfactory. The " Gem" meter, unlike the others in construction, is the least costly, but as to durability a further test is necessary to decide.


It is universally conceded that no meter is perfectly accurate, and the discrepancy is always in favor of the consumer, which fact proves that the register does no injustice to parties who pay for water by meter rates.


THE WASTE OF WATER.


I deem the system of measuring water to all consumers to be the most equitable, as it is an undeniable fact that some families waste much more than others use, and yet, under the present arrangement, pay the same rate. Unnecessary consumption of water is certainly checked by the tell-tale meter, and the city receives pay for water which is indifferently used. Cases often occur where a party having water by meter rates is surprised at the amount of his bill, and positive that his use of water would incur a much less sum. When informed that his hose pipe, left open on the lawn, is wasting four thousand gallons per day ; that a faucet, allowed to run a broken stream, is adding two hundred gallons daily to his meter register ; that the float in his water


408


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


tank is arranged so as to permit thousands of gallons of water to run into the sewer weekly, the party immediately takes measures to check the disorder, which but for the meter might continue to exist. Enormous wastes of water have been detected through the presence of meters. During the past year, several large leaks have occurred in covered service-pipes, and had not the unusual amount of water registered indicated something wrong, the waste would have continued an indefinite period.


I desire to offer a word in commendation of Desper's self- closing fixtures, which can be attached at a small expense to faucets, closets, etc. The advantage to consumers of measured water is obvious, as the liability to leave water running is pre- vented. Several instances of its efficacy which have come to the knowledge of the department prompts this notice.


Cheap fixtures in buildings, constantly needing repairs-water closets and sinks used in common by several families-water allowed to run in Winter to prevent freezing-hose pipes used to an extent little dreamed of by those who fixed the rates for same ; these, with other causes, serve to swell the torrent of waste water running annually, and for which the city derives no revenue. ] might expatiate on the subject, but deem the following, which I quote from the report of the Chicago Water Department, as pertinent in conclusion :-


" The monstrous waste of water which takes place annually in the extreme weather of Summer and Winter, is a reflection upon the moral sense of those who are guilty of it. It appears to be impossible for many people to under- stand that water, unlike air, is not a free commodity, and that no one is entitled to use more water than he pays for. The water of the city is muni- cipal property, sold to individuals in precisely the same commercial way in which citizens purchase food or clothing ; and it is no more a privilege to waste water than to steal the groceries of the merchant or the fabrics of the dry goods dealer."


I consider the matter of plumbing work being done under a license as highly important. Many cities have very strict rules and enforce them, which bear on this subject. Much cheap and poorly done work is performed by parties whose knowledge of plumbing is so limited that their ignorance is palpable, the result of which is a detriment to the owners of property and an expense to the city.


409


REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR.


Owing to the general depression in business, many tenements have been idle, thereby causing a large number of abatements on bills. For the same reason, numerous over-due accounts remain unpaid. The Registrar admits that he has been somewhat dila- tory in enforcing Section 9 of Rules and Regulations, but the pressure caused by the existing state of financial affairs induced him, after consultation with the City Treasurer, to show as much leniency as possible to those whose desire to settle bills was as apparent as their inability so to do.


The triple subject of Consumption, Supply and Waste, has always furnished ample avenues of thought and discussion. You have certainly had the burden of opinion to bear the last year, and, I am confident, will not object to the investigation of the theme by any future Committee who have the interest of the city at heart.


Respectfully submitted,


J. STEWART BROWN,


Registrar.


REPORT


OF THE


WATER COMMISSIONER.


To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :-


THE Commissioner presents his Annual Report for the year ending November 30, 1875.


Main pipes have been laid in all streets where ordered by the City Council, as follows :-


8 inch pipe in Lincoln street, from Forest avenue north, 480 feet.


8 " Bloomingdale road, from Suffolk street west, 670 “ 6 “ " Pitt st., from Cambridge st. to Riverside Mill, 621 “


6 " King street, from Chandler to Woodland st., 723


6


" Sigourney st., from North to Edgeworth st., 435


6


" Suffolk street, from Bloomingdale road,


45


6


" Reservoir street, from Elizabeth st. east, 158 «


6


" Laurel street, from Carroll street east, 129 «


6 66


" Temple street under Mill Brook, 60 4


4


66


" Temple street to Mill Brook, 50 “


4


" Mount Pleasant st. from Benefit to Allen st., 350 «


4


66 " Hermon street east of Junction Shop, to con- nect to Jackson street, 120 “


Amount of new pipe laid this year, 3,841 "


Connection has been made between the high service and the 12 inch pipe to the Hunt Reservoir, to be used in case of repairs upon the old line from the Leicester Reservoir.


411


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.


The 4 and 6 inch pipe on Main street, from Front street to Lin- coln Square, has been taken up and replaced by 16 inch pipe a distance of 2,896 feet. 16 inch pipe has been laid in Thomas street, from Main to Union street, a distance of 638 feet.


Owing to change of grade in Suffolk street, 525 feet of 6 inch pipe had to be taken up and relaid ; also 342 feet of 4 inch pipe in May street, for the same reason. In Gardner street, 310 feet of 6 inch pipe has been relaid, between Canterbury and South- gate streets. Amount of pipe relaid, 4,711 feet.


Number of gates set, 45 ; hydrants, 28; hydrant branches, 18; street branches, 34; meters, 379 ; service pipes laid, 214 or 4,087 feet 7 inches for the city, and 5,089 feet 3 inches for applicants.


The extreme cold weather of the last Winter continuing until near Spring, caused serious trouble with water pipes and hydrants, not only here but throughout the country, causing great incon- venience and annoyance to water takers, and a large expense to the city, making this as busy a time as any season of the year. 750 service pipes were reported frozen, which were thawed by the Department, the last one being thawed April 30. Many were thawed by plumbers, so it is impossible to tell the number of pipes frozen.


Main pipe was frozen in Belmont street,


12 inch pipe.


66


Bismarck street,


200 feet, 2 " 66


600 “ 4


66


66


66


E. Central street,


4


66


66


66


66 Goddard street,


2


4


66


66


66


Grosvenor street,


100 feet, 4


66


66


66


66


Lodi street,


100


4


4


4


8


66


66


Siegel street,


500


4


66


60


Summer street,


300


4


66


66


Market street,


Park street,


200


66


Pleasant street,


300


500 “


4


66


66


Gold street,


Hudson street,


400 “


Great credit is due to Chief Engineer Combs and the officers of the Fire Department for the assistance rendered in caring for hydrants, thereby relieving, in a measure, the demands upon this Department.


53


Blossom street,


412


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


Various devices have been brought before the public as "non- freezing " and "anti-freezing," which have been recommended for the use of water works; but the plan deemed the most effectual is the laying of all pipe at a depth to be below the reach of the frost.


Acting upon this idea, many of the service pipes have been lowered, and all that are now laid are put six and one-half feet below the surface.


Longer hydrants have been substituted for several of the short ones formerly in use, and by another season all of them will be removed.


The number of leaks repaired, 284. On main pipe : Joints, 106; rust, 38 ; frost, 17; split, 7; pick-hole, 3; bowl joint, 5; hydrant valve, 4; packing, 1; bonnet blew off, 1; } turn blew off, 1. On service pipe : Frost, 81; lead connection, 10; set- tling of earth, 2 ; union joint, 2 ; split, 6. Stoppages in service pipe reported, 81.


Location of hydrants set during the year :-


Austin street, opposite Queen street.


corner Bellevue street.


Bellevue street, between Austin and Pleasant streets.


Bloomingdale road, west of Graton & Knight's shop.


Carroll street, opposite Shelby street.


Highland street, opposite Goulding street.


66 corner Boynton street.


Jefferson street, corner Arlington street.


King street, west of Shepard street. Lafayette street, corner Lodi street.


Grosvenor street.


Main street, opposite Piedmont street.


corner Allen street.


Kilby street.


1


Mason


Austin street.


May


Kingsbury street.


Milton


Edgeworth street.


Mount Pleasant street, opposite Allen street.


Norfolk street, corner Hawkins street.


60 66 Ascension street.


Ripley street, south of J. H. Walker's.


Shelby street, opposite Mulberry street. Sigourney street, corner Edgeworth street.


413


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.


Southgate street, south side of Norwich & Worcester Railroad.


front of D. S. Goddard's shop.


Temple street, west of Church.


Wall street, corner Norfolk street.


Wachusett street, between Dix and Highland streets.


Accompanying this Report is an Inventory of Stock of Tools on hand November 30, the appraised value of which is $37,190.65.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANK E. HALL,


Water Commissioner.


WORCESTER, Dec. 20, 1875.


414


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


INVENTORY OF STOCK AND TOOLS ON HAND DECEMBER 1, 1875.


10 pieces 20 inch cast iron pipe,


63 pieces 16 inch cast iron pipe,


152 pieces 12 inch cast iron pipe,


23 pieces 8 inch cast iron pipe, class B,


117 pieces 8 inch cast iron pipe, class A, 46 pieces 6 inch cast iron pipe,


189 pieces 6 inch cast iron pipe, been used,


128 pieces 5 inch cast iron pipe, been used,


12 feet 24 inch cast iron pipe,


16 feet 20 inch cast iron pipe,


131 feet 16 inch cast iron pipe,


40 feet 12 inch cast iron pipe,


30 feet 8 inch cast iron pipe,


50 feet 6 inch cast iron pipe,


275 feet 6 inch cast iron pipe, heen used,


220 feet 4 inch cast iron pipe, been used,


1,810 feet 15 inch unlined pipe,


210 feet 12 inch cement lined pipe,


1,596 feet 10 inch cement lined pipe,


1,638 feet 8 inch cement lined pipe,


70 feet 6 inch cement lined pipe,


448 feet 3 inch cement lined pipe,


504 fect 2 inch cement lined pipe,


72 feet 20 inch cement lined pipe, been used,


137 feet 16 inch cement lined pipe, been used,


107 feet 12 inch cement lined pipe,


been used,


273 feet 10 inch cement lined pipe, been used,


98 feet 6 inch cement lined pipe, been used,


2,226 feet 4 inch cement lined pipe, been used,


664 feet 2 inch galvanized iron pipe,


2 20 inch curve pieces,


6 16 inch curve pieces,


10 8 inch one-eighth turns,


2 6 inch one-eighth turns,


8 4 inch one-eighth turns,


4 16 inch quarter turns,


4 12 inch quarter turns,


6 8 inch quarter turns,


10 6 inch quarter turns,


8 4 inch quarter turns,


1 2 inch quarter turn, brass,


3 16x16 three way branches,


2 16x12 three way branches,


2 16x8 three way branches,


8 16x6 three way branches,


12 16x4 three way branches,


4 12x8 three way branches,


8 12x6 three way branches,


2 12x4 three way hranches, 1 10x6 three way branches,


2 10x4 three way branches,


12 8x8 three way branches,


38 8x6 three way branches, 10 8x4 three way branches,


26 6x6 three way branches,


27 6x4 three way branches, 11 5x4 three way hranches, 33 4x4 three way branches,


1 16x16 four way branches,


4 16x12 four way branches, . 3 12×8 four way branches,


3 12x6 four way branches,


2 8x8 four way branches,


2 8x6 four way branches,


11 6x6 four way hranches, 1 4x4 four way branches,


1412 set sleeves for 16 inch cement lined pipe, 28 set sleeves for 12 inch cement lined pipe,


21 set sleeves for 10 inch cement lined pipe, 712 set sleeves for 8 inch cement lined pipe,


2612 set sleeves for 6 inch cement lined pipe,


61/2 set slceves for 4 inch cement lined pipe, 712 set sleeves for 3 inch cement lined pipe, 40 set sleeves for 2 inch cement lined pipe,


14 sleeves for 24 inch cast iron pipe,


2 sleeves for 20 inch cast iron pipe, 7 sleeves for 16 inch cast iron pipe, 3 sleeves for 12 inch cast iron pipe,


35 sleeves for 8 inch cast iron pipe,


20 sleeves for 6 inch cast iron pipe, 8 sleeves for 5 inch cast iron pipe,


17 sleeves for 4 inch cast iron pipe,


3 sleeves for 3 inch cast iron pipe,


8 set 12 sleeves for 12 inch pipe, with bolts,


8 set 1% sleeves for 8 inch pipe, with bolts,


20x16 inch taper,


9 12×8 inch tapers,


12x6 inch taper,


12 8x6 inch tapers,


16 6x4 inch tapers,


5 4x3 inch tapers,


4 4x2 inch tapers,


2 24 inch bonnets,


1 16 inch honnct,


2 12 inch bonnets, 16 8 inch honnets,


22 6 inch bonnets,


39 4 inch bonnets,


415


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.


1 20 inch plug,


1 16 inch plug,


11 12 inch plugs,


4 8 inch pings,


6 6 inch plugs,


1 16 inch gate, Ayres,


4 12 inch gates,


1 10 inch gate,


18 8 inch gates,


12 6 inch gates,


21 4 inch gates,


18 gate boxes,


12 gate box frames,


20 gate box covers,


4 gate box frames and covers, small,


3 flush hydrants,


1 Philadelphia hydrant,


11 flush hydrant box frames and covers,


27 hydrant wastes,


7 hydrant bowls,


2 pieces cast iron pipe for hydrant bowls,


8 set bands and bolts for flush hy- drants,


318 lbs. cast iron bands for repairing solder branches,


1,042 lbs. wrought iron bands and bolts for street branches,


40 feet 3 inch steam pipe,


300 feet 114 inch steam pipe,


375 feet 1 inch rubber coated pipe,


975 feet 1 inch cement lined pipe,


697 feet 34 inch cement lined pipe,


761 feet 1 inch unlined pipe,


385 lbs. 2 inch lead pipe,


300 lbs. 1 inch lead pipe,


50 lbs. 58 inch lead pipe,


1,190 lbs. 12 inch lead pipe, been used, 25 lbs. solder,


26 1 inch lead connections,


7 5% inch lead connections,


67 1/2 inch lead connections,


2 3 inch globe valves,


11 1 inch Ludlow gates,


6


3 'inch Ludlow gates,


37 16 inch stops for bands,


82 16 inch stops for bands, been used,


3 3% 4 inch waste stops,


34 1/2 inch waste stops,


8 2 inch long brass nipples,


15 2 inch short brass nipples,


63 cast iron stop boxes,


330 cast iron stop box"covers,


6,220 lbs. tapping bands,


96 lbs. wrought iron bands,


608 lbs. bolts and nuts for service pipe,


133 lbs. bolts for 24 inch sleeves, 65 11/4 inch brass tees,


259 1 inch brass tees,


25 1x34 inch rubber coated tees,


20 2 inch plugs,


56 11/4 inch plugs, 80 1 inch plugs, 209 34 inch plugs,


10 1 inch combination nipples,


38 5% inch combination nipples,


18 34 inch thimble couplings,


22 12 inch thimble couplings,


15 1x34 inch galvanized iron reducing coupling,


10 2 inch malleable iron unions,


1 11/2 inch malleable iron unions,


12 1 inch malleable iron unions, 1 2 inch rubber coated elbow,


2 1 inch rubber coated elbows,


25 1x34 inch galvanized iron elbows,


18 2 inch rubber packings for tapping bands,


54 1 inch rubber packings tor tapping bands,


148 12 inch rubber packings for tapping bands,


2 4 inch meters,


1 2 inch Gem meter,


6 1 inch meters,


6 34 inch meters,


1 1 inch Worthington meter,


1 5% inch meter,


2 meter box frames and covers


3 bbls. Portland cement,


16 bbls. cement,


I Knowles' rotary pump,


1 Knowles' large steam pump,


1 Knowles' small steam pump,


5 force pumps,


2 copper pumps,


3 tool boxes and 4 chests,


9 wheelbarrows,


46 picks,


12 pick handles,


48 shovels,


11 iron bars,


16 iron tampers,


14 striking hammers,


5 stone hammers,


12 hand hammers,


2 paving hammers,


31 hammer handles,


271 lbs. steel in drills, 25 hand drills,


10 iron spoons,


4 ladles,


1 small ladle,


56 cold chisels,


28 steel sets,


5 packing irons,


1 large furnace and ladle,


4 furnaces,


15 monkey wrenches,


12 Baxter wrenches,


4 pair 112 inch pipe tongs,


6 pair 114 inch pipe tongs,


5 pair 1 inch pipe tongs,


416


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


6 pair 34 inch pipe tongs,


4 pair 12 inch pipe tongs,


1 pair 3g inch pipe tongs,


2 pair 14 inch pipe tongs,


4 pair 18 inch pipe tongs,


9 hand axes,


1 adze,


4 hand saws,


2 bit stocks and bits,


1 saw set,


2 try squares,


2 planes,


1 drawing knife,


2 grind-stones,


1 oil stone,


3 screw drivers,


1 hoe,


1 spirit level,


5 oilers,


2 powder cans,


10 trowels,


3 soldering furnaces and tools,


17 files,


3 pair plyers,


2 paving rammers,


1 ratchet and drills,


3 pair tongs for lifting pipe,


5 hay knives,


1 hay fork,


14 long handled forks,


2 scythes and snaths,


3 spoons for cleaning stop boxes,


6 hooks for removing hydrant wastes,


3 forks for removing hay from hy- drants,


5 Stanwood's pipe cutters,


1 Chase patent pipe cutter and dies,


1 2 inch tap,


1 11/4 inch tap,


1 1 inch tap,


1 34 inch tap,


1 12 inch tap,


1 packing box tap,


7 die plates and 23 dies,


6 packed drill stocks and 20 drills,


1 drill stock and drill for drilling iron pipe,


14 stop wrenches,


11 gate wrenches,


10 hydrant wrenches,


3 wrenches for repairing hydrants, Lot of tools for building hydrants,


1 platform scale,


9 sets cones for lining pipe,


9 sets cones for lining service pipe,


9 rubber cones,


3 wagons,


1 Concord buggy,


1 sleigh,


1 harness,


2 hand carts,


3 derricks,


3 sets pulley blocks and ropes,


8 dies for cutting packing.


MISCELLANEOUS.


34 water pails,


3 galvanized iron boilers,


1 copper boiler,


2 boilers for thawing hydrants,


1 tank for testing meters,


truck,


1 hand sled,


5 mixing boxes,


15 pair rubber boots,


5 brooms,


1 coal hod,


31 lanterns,


42 lantern globes,


35 glasses for lamps,


5,000 fect chestnut lumber,


1,022 lbs. wrought iron rods, 170 lbs. old brass,


2,100 lbs. pig lead, 800 lbs. old lead, 10 lbs. white lead,


458 lbs. chains,


274 lbs. rosin,


27 pickets for reservoir fence,


12 pair rubber mittens,


2 pair long rubber mittens,


2 cast iron sinks,


4 stoves,


1 goose neck, 262 feet rubber hose,


9 tea kettles,


1 anvil,


1 portable forge,


2 fan blowers,


3 iron vises,


2 wood vises,


3 pair shears,


1 cast iron frame for screen,


1 mud boat,


1 drinking fountain,


1 stand pipe for filling watering cart,


3 tons of coal,


1 handle basket,


4 carpenters' horses,


1 steam gauge,


1 oil tank,


9 oil cans,


10 gallons kerosene,


11 brass screws for gates,


11 nozzles for hydrants,


24 hydrant caps,


4 brass tops for hydrants,


150 lbs. post hydrant box hoops,


180 lbs. post hydrant box fastenings,


2 brass screws for hydrants,


417


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.


14 jack screws,


2 desks,


5 office chairs,


4 window frames, ·


3 platforms for holding pipe


3 oil cloth suits,


1 canvas tent and frame,


4 lbs. rubber packing cloth,


6 vards enameled cloth,


214 lbs. hemp packing,


16 lbs. steam packing,


120 lbs. winding twine,


8 lbs. hemp twine,


4 bbls. charcoal,


4 nuts and tops for Boston hydrants, 950 feet 18 inch gas pipe for thawing service pipe,


45 lbs. tin pipe for thawing service pipe, 1 sand screen,


1 gimlet,


3 tape lines,


1 wood marker,


2 augers, Patterns for pipe gates, branches, hydrant box frames, &c.,


1 iron bedstead and bedding.


REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER


TO THE


COMMITTEE ON WATER.


To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :


GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with the provisions of Sect. 11, Chapter 68 of the Ordinances of the City, I respectfully present the following Report.


The dam of the Lynde Brook Reservoir has been carefully ex- amined at frequent intervals during the year. The increased leakage in the vicinity of the "pipe arch," as indicated by the weir, induced me to address the following communication to your committee, under date of September 7th.


To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :


GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with the provisions of Sect. 11, Chap. 68 of the Ordinances of the City of Worcester, I deem it my duty to call your attention to the increased leakage through the Lynde Brook Reservoir embankment in the vicinity of the "pipe arch." In April, with the water six feet below the roll- way, the leakage was at the rate of 24,221 gallons in twenty-four hours. In July, under a similar head, it had increased to 39,810 gallons per day, and it still continues at that rate, except when affected by surface water after storms. I would recommend that the pipe arch be thoroughly cleaned of all deposit, which will enable careful inspection to determine if the water is discolored on entering the archway, which would indicate an increase of wash under the foundation.


Respectfully submitted,


C. H. M. BLAKE,


Civil Engineer.


419


REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER.


The cleaning of deposit from the archway was ordered by your Committee, in accordance with the recommendation contained in the above communication. The only means of determining the amount of leakage had been, to this time, by means of the flow over the weir below the outlet of the waste culvert. This, while answering the purpose very well during dry weather, was defec- tive and unreliable at times from the effect of surface water. In order to obviate this difficulty, a weir has been set in the pipe arch itself, where no water not actually entering the arch through a leak can be measured.


The leakage at present is 48,448 gallons per day, showing an increase of about 24,000 gallons since April 1st. It being im- portant to locate the leakage, two weirs were set in the arch, one a short distance from the upper end, and the other near the lower end. It is a matter of congratulation that the investigations prove the leakage is confined entirely within a short distance of the upper end.


The question of an additional supply of water for the city has received considerable attention during the year. By order of the City Council, approved April 6th, thorough surveys were made of Tatnuck Brook, comprising the determination of the extent of its water-shed, capacity of a storage reservoir, and location of dam. Measurements of the flow from Henshaw Pond, and sur- vey of a pipe line from both sources were also made, and June 21st, a Report giving the result of the surveys, estimated cost of construction, and such other suggestions as the object of the order seemed to render necessary for the proper consideration of this important subject was submitted to the City Council. I am convinced that the city cannot with safety defer action on this question. We may, if the seasons are favorable, feel no need of an increase in our supply for several years, and perhaps get through one dry season without serious inconvenience, but long continued meteorological observations prove that cycles of dry years are as certain to recur at intervals as the precession of the equinoxes is to continue, and no water supply is reliable which is not capable of providing for these seasons of long continued dry


54


420


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


weather. To illustrate the variation of rainfall for terms of years I would refer to table III. in the report mentioned.


The question of economy in the use of water has so often been brought to your notice that, perhaps nothing new can be ad- duced. There is no doubt that if self-acting hopper-closets were generally introduced, a large saving in domestic consumption would ensue, as the ordinary hopper closet has been proved by actual observation in other cities to be one of the most prevalent sources of waste. As the manufacturing interests of the city are further developed, necessity will.arise for the additional supply of large amounts of water for industrial purposes, and it is not to be expected that any system of economy in its use, however rigidly enforced, will decrease the use of water sufficiently to counter- balance the legitimate demand of additional takers.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.