USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1886 > Part 13
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278
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
suction pipe showed no leak, but on cutting out the wells, one after the other, it was found that after cutting out one well near the centre of the set the vacuum gauge showed 25 inches and the yield from four wells was 208,000 gallons per 24 hours.
This well was entirely cut out from the system and the balance of the test was made upon seven wells alone. Exca- vation showed that in the absence of the inspector and without his knowledge a piece of slotted pipe was inserted in the main pipe about eleven feet from the surface of the ground in a coarse stratification, and the lowering of the ground water rendered inoperative the balance of the wells below this level. To offset for this delay and diminished draft upon the ground water the test was continued until 10.45 A. M. September 24th.
In order to accurately measure the water being pumped, a four inch "Gem" meter was attached to the force main and the water passed through it. As a check upon the accuracy of the meter, the capacity of the pump well was measured and repeated comparisons made; the results showed a varia- tion of from one per cent to two per cent. The closeness of these results are somewhat surprising when it is considered that each pulsation of the pump must be felt on the meter.
The final day's test showed a yield of 283,000 gallons per 24 hours upon which payment should be made.
As previously stated the ground water was lowered to the limit of the suction lift of the pump and the pumping continued at a speed to insure the maximum yield of water. This insured the reduction of the plane of the ground water to its lowest level at the end of the test. Under these con- ditions the rapidity with which the level of the plane of the ground water was raised until it reached its normal height, and the variation of the yield of water, between the first and
279
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
the last days of the test, indicate the permanency of the supply.
The following table will show the rapidity of the rise in the level of the ground water at the end of the test ingthe three wells used for observations :-
RECOVERY OF GROUND WATER, SEPT. 24, 1886.
Time.
Grades.
WELL WELL
WELL No. 43
No. 31
No. 10
10.45 A. M. 72.75
75.85
82.30
Stopped Pumping
11.00
77.95
80.
84.60
11.15
80.
81.50
85.70
11.30
81.10
82.50
86.45
11 45
82.20
83.50
87.10
12. M
83.10
84.45
87.70
12.15 P. M. 84.15
85.25
88.25
12.45
86.10
87.20
89.55
1.15
87.15
88.15
90.20
1.45
87.85
88.80
90.60
2.45
88.50
89.35
91.25
3.45
88.75
89.80
91.45
4.45
89.05
90.00
91.80
When it is considered that the test was made in the dryest portion of the year, that the decrease in the yield was less than 16 per cent and that the recovery of the plane of the ground water to its normal height was effected in less than twenty-four hours, it would appear that an under-ground current or stream was tapped and the yield limited by the thickness and coarseness of the water bearing strata over- lying the bed rock.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT F. NOYES, City Engineer.
280
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
REPORT OF TESTS OF TWELVE CAST IRON PIPES MADE AT WATERTOWN ARSENAL, JULY 29, 1886.
The pipes were prepared for testing by dressing the surface of the bore at each end a distance of about 4 inches, for the purpose of securing a good surface for the leather packings to seal against.
It was found necessary to cut off a short section of the spigot end of the pipes before dressing the surface of the bore, removing the metal that was too hard to cut with ordi- dary lathe tools. In this way the diameters of the bore at the ends of the 6 inch and 8 inch pipes were respectively increased to 6.25 inches and 8.19 inches.
The interior pressure acted against about 1 inch in length of the dressed surface, being that part of the bore covered by the lips of the leather packings.
It was not thought that this method of preparation con- tributed any tendency to rupture at the ends, on account of the small ring of thinner metal which was exposed to the hydrostatic pressure, and this ring was reinforced by the metal of the pipe beyond that which was not directly strained. To dispel any doubts upon this point, the 8 inch pipes numbers 3, 5 and 6 were banded with a wrought iron strap at the spigot end, and the 6 inch pipes numbers 7, 8, 9 and 11 were similarly banded with a stout cast iron ring.
An examination of the results would seem to confirm the belief that the bursting strength of the pipes was not influenced by the dressing of the metal of the bore at the ends.
An air rent 1-10 inch diameter was drilled in each pipe near the spigot end, which was plugged with a tapering steel pin after the pipe was charged with water. None of the fractures occurred through the vent holes.
The testing was done by the gradual increase of hydros- tatic pressure in the bore of the pipes till rupture took place,
281
1
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
weighing the pressure with the high pressure Hydraulic Holder gauge of the Testing machine.
The thickness of the pipes is given where accessible to measure.
F. H. PARKER, Major Ordinance Dept. U. S. A. Commanding.
Correct : J. E. HOWARD.
282
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
MARK & NUMBER.
DIAMETERS.
LENGTH BE-
TWEEN DRESSED ENDS OF BORE.
BURST- ING PRES- SURE, LBS. PER SQ. IN.
DESCRIPTION OF FRACTURE.
RDW & CO. 1884. C
4305
1
8 in.
144
12 ft. 2.92 in.
9.14 in. 9.19 in.
7.93 in. 7.97 in.
11 ft. 2.73 in. 11 ft. 2.11 in.
2144
4307
3
8 in.
285
12 ft. 2.42 in.
9.19 in.
7.94 in.
11 ft. 2.36 in.
1916
Granular. Some blow holes. Granular. Numerous blow holes.
4308
4
8 in.
244
12 ft. 2.23 in.
9.13 in.
7.96 in.
11 ft. 2.04 in. 1868
Granular. Very spongy.
4309
8 in.
101
12 ft. 2.29 in.
9.13 in.
7.98 in. 7.98 in.
11 ft. 2.17 in. 11 ft. 2.60 in.
1916 1968 3
Granular, uni- form.
4311
7
6 in.
WF NWW B 1885. 66
1522
11 ft. 10.48 in.
7.12 in.
11 ft. 0.42 in.
1657
4312
8
6 in.
996
11 ft. 10.29 in.
7.11 in.
6.05 in. 6.05 in.
11 ft.
0.29 in.
1689
4313
9
6 in.
995
11 ft. 10.11 in. 7.13 in.
11 ft. 0.04 in.
1816
4314
10
6 in.
1154
11 ft. 10.11 in.
7.10 in.
10 ft. 11.73 in.
1845
4315
11
6 in.
1602
11 ft. 10.29 in.
2063
4316
12
6 in.
1575
11 ft. 10.11 in.
7.11 in. 7.12 in.
6.01 in. 6.01 in.
11 ft. 0.04 in.
1933
.
NUMBER OF PIPE.
NOMINAL
SIZE.
Mark.
Number.
Outside.
Bore.
2079
A Granular. few blow holes.
4306
2
8 in.
232
12 ft. 2.29 in.
4310
6
8 in.
266
12 ft. 2.73 in.
9.15 in.
6.01 in. 6.00 in.
11 ft. 0.54 in.
NW W.
LENGTH AFTER CUTTING OFF SPIGOT END.
TEST NUMBER.
CITY OF NEWTON, MASS.
ORDINANCE XX.
RELATING TO THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 1. A Water Board is hereby established, con- sisting of five persons, one of whom shall be a member of the Board of Aldermen, one a member of the Common Council, and three at large. The offices of Water Registrar and Superintendent of Water Works are hereby established.
SECT. 2. The Superintendent shall have general super- intendence of the out-of-door work of the department, under the direction of the Water Board.
Whenever any repairs are made, or new work done, he shall made a detailed report to the Board of the kind of work performed, where located, the amount thereof, the quantity and kind of material used therefor, to whom chargeable, and any other particulars that may be deemed desirable or necessary. He shall perform any other duties prescribed by the Water Board.
SECT. 3. The Water Registrar shall keep full, complete, and detailed records of all the doings and correspondence of the Water Board; also similar records and accounts of all the work done by the officers and employees of the department, showing the kind of work done, the location and cost thereof, and the account to which it is charged.
He shall also keep a full record of the name of each water-taker, the location and description of the building in which the water is used, the character of its use, the kind of
284
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
service, the quantity supplied, and the amount charged therefor, all properly arranged for convenient reference.
He shall also keep a full record of the amount of water daily pumped, consumed and in store; and, generally, of all facts pertaining to the condition and use of the works, that may be desirable for reference.
He shall perform any other duties prescribed by the Board.
SECT. 4. The Water Board shall have the general supervision and management of the water works, and shall have power to appoint, hire, dismiss, discharge, and fix the compensation of such other officers and employees of the department (except Superintendent and Registrar) as they shall deem necessary for a proper transaction of its business.
SECT. 5. The Board shall annually, in the month of January, present to the City Council a report to and includ- ing the thirty-first day of December of the preceding year, containing a full statement of the doings of the Department, of the condition of the work, and such other matters as they may deem proper.
SECT. 6. The Board shall annually, in the month of September, submit to the Committee on Finance of the City Council an estimate, in writing, of the receipts and expendi- tures of the Department for the ensuing year.
SECT. 7. All bills and vouchers of purchases for the Department, and pay-rolls and other bills for labor, shall be approved in writing by at least three members of the Board.
SECT. 8. All books of account and records in the Department shall, at all times, be open to the inspection of any committee of the City Council designated to examine them.
SECT. 9. The Board shall attach a meter to all services supplying other fixtures than faucets ; also to fixtures supply-
285
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
ing only faucets where more than three are used. The Board shall also furnish meters to all water-takers who desire to use them, regardless of the fixtures supplied.
All meters hereafter set shall be furnished, maintained, and renewed at the cost of the city; and the Board shall charge an annual rental therefor; provided, nevertheless, that any meter injured through the negligence of a water-taker, or by frost, shall be repaired at his expense.
SECT. 10. All premises where water is taken may at any reasonable time be inspected by a properly authorized officer of the Department; and full authority is hereby given to the Board to order such inspection whenever they deem it for the interests of the Department that it be made.
SECT. 11. The owner and the occupant of the premises, in which water is used, who fails to protect his meter from frost, or fails to keep the service pipes and fixtures in good order, and neglects to repair them in three days after they have become defective, or neglects to shut off the water to prevent waste, shall be liable to a forfeiture of two dollars; and if the forfeiture is not paid within two days after notice, the water shall be cut off and shall not be let on until the waste is stopped, and the fine is paid, together with two dollars for shutting off and letting on the water.
In case of a second offence within one year the water shall be shut off and shall not be let on except by a vote of the Board, and the payment of such forfeit, not exceeding ten dollars, as the Board may impose.
SECT. 12. Applications for service pipes shall be made upon blank forms furnished at the office of the Board; when the estimated cost of the applicant's part has been deposited the pipes shall be laid. From the main to the street line the work shall be done at the expense of the city, the remainder at the cost of the applicant. The account shall be adjusted and any balance paid before the water is turned on.
286
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
SECT. 13. Extensions of main pipe shall only be made when authorized by an order of the City Council. Applica- tions therefore must be made upon the blanks furnished by the Board, upon which shall be endorsed the estimate of the cost of the extension desired. No such application shall be considered by the Board unless accompanied by a written agreement, binding the applicant, or other responsible party, to guarantee to the city annually, for at least five years, a sum equal to five per cent of the total cost of the extension. All receipts for water sold from such extension, and no other, shall be credited to the party making such guarantee as payments upon account of same.
Applications for extension of mains through private ways or grounds shall in no case be granted, unless the owner thereof executes a proper instrument, securing to the city the right of permanent occupation, free from any acts of inter- ference that shall affect the safety of the pipe, and securing to the Department free right of entrance for purposes of its inspection and maintenance. Nothing in this section, how- ever, shall be construed as affecting the right of the City Council to authorize the extension of a water main without guaranty, if, upon a vote, taken by yea and nay, two-thirds of the members of each branch present and voting shall vote to do so.
SECT. 14. All bills for water, including the minimum charge for water furnished by meter, shall be payable to the Treasurer, in advance, on the first day of March annually. Bills for specific supplies, or for a part of the year, and fines and penalties, shall be paid before the water is let on. Where water is supplied by meter the excess over minimum rates shall be payable semi-annually, on the first day of March and of September, for the six months next preceding.
SECT. 15. In every case of non payment of the water rent for thirty days after the same is due the Board shall
287
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
cause a written demand to be left at the premises where the water is taken; and unless the rent is paid within three days thereafter, together with twenty cents for the demand, the Board shall cut off the supply. The water shall not be let on until the amount due, together with said fee, and two dollars for the shutting off and letting on, is paid, whether other persons taking water through the service pipe are delinquent or not. In every case of non-payment of water rent, the owner of the premises, whether he is the occupant or not, shall be required to pay the same, and all charges con- nected therewith, provided he has been duly notified of the use of water and has made no objection.
Whenever the water is shut off by request of plumbers for the sake of making repairs, except those named in Section 11, the charge for shutting off and letting on shall be one dol- lar.
SECT. 16. The annual price or rent to be paid for the use of meters and for water shall be in accordance with the fol- lowing schedule.
The Board is hereby authorized to make abatements and rebates in all proper cases; no special rates, however, shall be allowed. In any case not provided for by the schedule, the Board shall set a meter and charge for the water at meter rate.
SCHEDULE OF RATES.
Dwelling Houses.
If occupied by one family, one faucet $6 00
Each additional faucet, not exceeding two 2 00
One faucet used by two or more families, each family using 4 00
set
Set wash-tubs, not more than three in a set, each 1 00
288
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
For all other fixtures, the water to be supplied through meters at following rates:
For Consumption Averaging Daily for Six Months.
Under 3,000 gallons per day (per thousand gal.) 35 cts.
Over 3,000 gal. and under 6 per day "
66
30
" 6,000 " 10,000 66
" 10,000 66 " 20,000 66 66
" 20,000
" 30,000 66
66
66
15 66
30,000 gals. and over per day 66
66
66
12
66 66
66
21
66
19 66
(Each meter to be subject to a minimum charge of $10 per annum.)
SECT. 17. Any plumber, or other person, who shall make any alteration in, or any additions to, any water-pipe or fixture, except so far as a written permit therefor has been given by the Board, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty dollars.
SECT. 18. Whoever opens any hydrant, or removes the cap thereof, or opens or makes any connection with the pipe or reservoir, or turns off or on the water in the pipe or reservoir, without the permission of the Board, except in case of fire, shall be liable to a penalty of not less than three nor more than twenty dollars ; provided, however, that in case of emergency the water may be turned off by any employee of the city, who shall, in such case, immediately give notice at the office of the Board.
SECT. 19. Whoever, without the authorization of the Board, fishes in the reservoir or filter basin, or discharges any gun or firearm upon the same or on the grounds connected therewith, or bathes therein, or places or uses any boat there- in, or posts any bill, placard, or advertisement within the said grounds, shall be liable to a fine of not less than five nor more than fifty dollars for each offense; and the Board is
289
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
hereby authorized to exclude the public from any or all grounds of the Department, whenever such exclusion may be deemed by them necessary for the proper protection of the works.
SECT. 20. No water shall be sold to parties outside of the city.
SECT. 21. This amendment shall take effect, in so far as it relates to meters, on March 1st, 1887; in all other respects it shall take effect upon its passage.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
OF THE -
NEWTON WATER DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 1. OFFICE.
1. The office of the Water Board is hereby established in the room at City Hall now occupied by the Water Regis- trar.
SECTION 2. ORGANIZATION.
1. Besides the offices of Water Registrar and Superin- tendent established by ordinance, the permanent organiza- tion of the department shall be as follows :-
A Civil Engineer, an Inspector of Meters and Fixtures, a Pumping Engineer, a Fireman, a main-pipe Foreman, a ser- vice-pipe Foreman, three Teamsters, and a Clerk in the office of the Water Board. It is understood that the City Engin- eer is the Civil Engineer of this department.
SECTION 3. WATER REGISTRAR.
1. The Water Registrar shall be the Clerk and Execu- tive Officer of the Board ; all orders and communications of the Board shall be signed by, or given through, him and shall be obeyed and respected accordingly.
2. He shall assess the water rates according to the tariff established by ordinance. He shall make out and
292
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
distribute bills, exercise a constant supervision over the use of water and attend to the enforcement of all regulations rela- ting thereto.
3. He shall issue the orders of the Board for the lay- ing of main and service pipe only after the requirements of the ordinance shall have been fulfilled ; and in no case shall he order an extension in a private way until he has received a certificate from the City Engineer that said way is graded to a proper level.
4. He shall be especially careful to see that the require- ment of the ordinance regarding the pre-payment of water rates is strictly enforced and in no event shall he order water turned on till the bill therefor shall have been paid.
5. He shall annually on or before the first day Septem- ber lay before the Board an estimate in detail of the appro- priations required by the department, and of its income, for the next financial year.
6. He shall receive a daily report from the other offi- cers of the department of the progress and condition of the work in their charge and shall make a weekly report to the Board thereupon.
7. He shall keep copies or memoranda of all orders from the office and the reports of other officers closely posted up, and will be held responsible for the proper condition of the books, papers and work of the office, as also for the due performance of the duties imposed upon him by ordinance.
SECTION 4. SUPERINTENDENT.
1. The office of the Superintendent is hereby estab- lished at the Pipe Yard at Newtonville.
2. The Superintendent shall have general charge of the out-of-door work. No new work shall be undertaken by him without the order of the Board; any work of main-
293 .
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
tenance, however, necessary to be performed without delay, may be done without said order, the Superintendent immedi- ately reporting thereon to the Registrar.
3. He shall have control of the laborers and other em- ployees engaged upon work under his charge. He shall have power to hire and discharge day laborers and to suspend any other of his employees, giving immediate notice of such sus- pension to the Board, for its action.
4. He will be held responsible for the good conduct of the men under his direction, the condition of the water, of the reservoir and its grounds, of the grounds about the Pumping Station, the basin and grounds in Needham, the piping, gates, hydrants and other appurtenances of the department plant, and all tools and property at the Pipe Yard.
5. He will be watchful to prevent or remedy any defect in a street or sidewalk resulting from the presence of main or service pipe or their appurtenances.
6. Before leaving his office he will report to the Water office where he may be found while absent, and the time of his expected return.
7. He shall make daily reports to the Water Regis- trar of the progress and condition of work in his charge
SECTION 5. INSPECTOR.
1. The Inspector, under the charge of the Registrar, shall make inspections of the fixtures and meters in ser- vice at such times as the Registrar shall deem expedient, and he shall, in general, act as chief assistant to the Registrar.
2. He shall have charge of testing, setting and repair- ing meters and shall keep careful record of the dates and results of all tests made; of the condition of all meters removed for repairs, both before and after repairs are made, with the date of their removal and resetting. He shall also
294
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
keep a careful record of the cost of setting, repairing, inspec ting and renewing all meters and a record showing the work performed by all meters from the date of setting, with the annual and aggregate expense of their maintenance, compu- ted both per meter and per 100,000 feet of water registered.
3. He shall make daily reports to the Water Registrar of the condition and progress of the work under his charge.
SECTION 6. ENGINEER.
1. Upon receipt of orders therefor from the Board, the City Engineer shall, within twenty-four hours, establish lines and grades for the extension of all water-mains and shall take such measurements of main and service pipe exten- sions, and their appurtenances, as will enable him to cor- rectly locate and plat the same; he shall keep the returns from the Pumping Engineer closely posted up and shall plat therefrom a diagram showing the engine duty.
2. He shall make a daily report to the Water Registrar of the progress and condition of the work under his charge.
3. He shall perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time by vote require of him.
SECTION 7. PUMPING ENGINEER.
1. The Pumping Engineer shall be held responsible for the good condition of the pumping station, machinery, fix- tures, furniture, tools, and other property of the Depart- ment therein contained.
2. It shall be his personal duty to keep the engines, pumps and engine-room in a neat and proper condition.
3. He shall be entitled to one day's leave of absence in each week, provided such absence will not interfere with the proper prosecution of the work of the Department, but he shall not absent himself from the pumping station or its
295
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
immediate vicinity without permission asked and obtained from the water office.
4. He shall keep, closely posted up, the book of record of the pumping engine, which will be furnished him.
5. He shall make a daily report to the Water Registrar of the height of water in the well and river; the quantity of water pumped and of coal consumed, and of the general condition of the pumping station and of the work under his charge. He shall also make weekly reports to the City Engineer of the engine record, upon blanks to be furnished him.
SECTION 8. FIREMAN.
1. The fireman shall, under the supervision of the Pumping Engineer, attend to the firing of the boilers and perform all work incidental thereto; it shall be his personal duty to keep the boilers, furnaces, boiler-room, coal-room, and other adjuncts to the boiler-room in a neat and proper condition.
2. He shall not absent himself from the pumping sta- tion without permission of the Pumping Engineer but shall be entitled to one day's leave of absence in each week when such absence will not interfere with the proper performance of his duties.
3. He shall keep a careful record of the amount of coal used and the purpose of its use.
SECTION 9. EMPLOYEES.
1. The Foremen of main and service-pipe and two of the teamsters shall at all times be under the direction of the Superintendent; the other teamster shall be also under the direction of the Superintendent at such times as his services are not required by the Inspector. The Clerk in the water
296
REPORT OF WATER BOARD.
board office shall be under the direction of the Water Regis- trar.
SECTION 10. GENERAL RULES.
1. The matter of employment and discharge of other assistance than labor shall be exercised only by the Board.
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