USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1944 > Part 15
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This building should contain facilities for a complete secondary program, including, in addition to the regular academic work, homemaking, shop, social science, drawing, art, music, dramatics, commercial work, physical education, and those recreational ac- tivities so valuable in adult life. The complete program should develop good citizens,-good because they have good physical and mental health, are capable of making a comfortable living, are able to maintain a good home and satisfactory family life, and are happy in their ability to enjoy their leisure hours with clean games, good music and entertainment, reading good litera- ture, engaging in intelligent conversation, and enjoying beauty in all its forms.
After careful survey of the available areas in Reading, it is the strong recommendation of this report that this building should be located on high ground south and east of and adjoining the Birch Meadow property, and that that property be fully developed for all outdoor school and community activities.
Such a building, at 1940 costs of construction and labor, should cost approximately $650,000.
191
3. Financing the recommended program.
3.1 The matter of the detailed financing of any recommended school program should be worked out locally since school finances are not separated from other finances of the town. The imperative need is for the town officials as a whole to recognize the con- dition of some of the school buildings and the absolute need of replacing the three frame elementary buildings, of improving the Highland School to a point of safety, and of replacing the high school building with a new structure on a new site. At 1940 prices, this work should cost approximately $970,000 which in- cludes $10,000 for improving the Highland School. If any bonds for this work were to be amortized in thirty years at 3% and if the payments of interest and principal during the 30-year period were equalized, the annual payment of principal and interest would be approximately $47,400.
192
Twenty- fourth Annual Report of the
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1944
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading :
The Board of Public Works submits herewith its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1944.
The Board reorganized on March 12, 1944 at the first meeting after the March election. Wendell P. Davis was re-elected Chairman; Alex- ander Lindsay was elected Secretary; Philip Welch was reappointed as Superintendent.
Mr. Gilbert M. Lothrop, a valued and conscientious member of the Board for three years, joined the United States Army during the year and is now serving overseas. The Board extends to Mr. Lothrop their felicitations for his patriotic action and looks forward to his safe and speedy return to civilian life.
Regularly scheduled meetings were held during the year, also several special meetings and conferences. Members of the Board were also appointed to and served on special committees. Nineteen Public Hear- ings were advertised and held on varied matters including trunk sewer extensions, storm water drain and water service casements, Municipal Light Department and New England Telephone and Telegraph pole locations, etc. Acting as the Board of Survey, one hearing was held.
On April 24, 1944 the Board, acting as the Board of Survey, adopted new land sub-division rules and regulations under authority of Section 81 F of Chapter 41, General Laws, and caused them to be published in phamphlet form for distribution. All previous rules and regulations or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with any provision of the new rules and regulations were repealed as of the date of April 24, 1944.
At the request of the Post War Planning Committee, several Post War Planning projects have been prepared under the direction of the Board for post-war work relief. These projects have been carefully selected and planned to obtain for the Town maximum value for funds expended, and include badly needed trunk sewer extensions, storm water drain extensions, re-grading of open drain ditches, granolithic sidewalk construction, and the reclaiming of low-lands East of the present Walter S. Parker Junior High School athletic field for an exten- sion of the athletic field. Surveys have been made and final plans completed on five separate individual projects, work on which could be started on very short notice if necessary. As one of the primary pur- poses of Post War Planning is to provide immediate and useful employ- ment for unemployed war veterans and civilians in an expected slack work period following the winning of the war, the Board is confident that it has provided suitable and necessary work projects.
194
The Board was also active in continuing the work of the Reading Recreation Committee which continued, and extended the scope of, the recreational and educational program for children instituted in 1943. Departmental facilities were made available to the Recreational Committee's employees during the year.
The Board has endeavored to cooperate to the fullest extent possible with other Town Boards and Departments, during the year, and acknowledges the courtesy, help and cooperation extended to them by the various Town departments. The Board also wishes to publicly express its appreciation of its employees, who voluntarily and willingly worked long hours in emergencies under adverse weather and working conditions.
For a more detailed report of the work accomplished by the various departments comprising the Board of Public Works, reference is made to the report of the Superintendent which follows this report.
Respectfully submitted,
WENDELL P. DAVIS, Chairman ALEXANDER LINDSAY, Secretary GILBERT M. LOTHROP HAROLD W. PUTNAM EDWARD TEER
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
As required by Section 4, Chapter 118 of an act authorizing the Town of Reading to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration the twenty-fourth annual report of the Depart- ment of Public Works, (Water, Highway,' Sewer and Park) including a financial report of each department, and a chronicle of the principal work performed with recommendations for the coming year.
195
WATER DEPARTMENT
Maintenance Account :
Appropriation and Transfer
$ 50,085.19 Expenditures :
1. Office Maintenance :
Pay Roll $ 4,366.83
Supplies, Printing, etc. 720.62
Insurance
722.66
Miscellaneous
200.87
2. Pumping Station Costs :
Station No. 1, Mill St.
Pay Roll
$ 376.24
Light, Phone, Fuel
261.82
Miscellaneous
6.80
Station No. 2, Strout Ave.
Pay Roll
$ 1,665.19
Light and Power
5,475.19
Phone and Fuel
137.66
Misc. Supplies and Repairs
215.46
$ 7,493.50
Filtration Plant
Pay Roll
$ 784.34
Engrs. Weston & Sampson
300.00
Supplies and Repairs
302.58
$
1,386.92
3. Well Line:
Pay Roll
$
1,154.56
Supplies and Fittings
794.52
$ 1,949.08
4. Maintenance of Meters :
Pay Roll $ 1,854.51
Supplies, Misc. 462.88
2,317.39 $
5. Maintenance of Service Pipes : Pay Roll $ 3,178.14
Water Department
196
$ 6,010.98
$ 644.86
Supplies, Tools and Misc. ... 1,385.63
6. Maintenance of Main Pipes :
Pay Roll
$
492.43
Supplies and Misc.
367.12
7. Maturing Bonds
9,000.00
8. Bond Interest
460.00
9. Garage Maintenance : Fuel Oil $ 153.97
Supplies and Misc.
103.14
$
257.11
10. Main Pipe Construction : None.
11. Service Pipe Construction : Pay Roll $ 301.83
Misc. 42.35
$
344.18
12. Meter Construction :
New Meters
$
252.00
$
252.00
13. Hydrant Maintenance :
Pay Roll
$ 273.70
Repairs
81.25
$
354.95
14. Miscellaneous :
Pay Roll-General
$ 1,728.21
Road Machinery Account 1,383.47
Salvage Collection 188.11
$
3,299.79
Grand Total Expended
...
$ 39,194.08
Balance December 31, 1944
$ 10,891.11
Water Department
197
$ 4,563.77
$
859.55
1944 Receipts
Meter Rates
$ 57,649.57
Service Pipe Maintenance
475.37
Service Pipe Construction
299.32
Rent
180.00
Hydrant Rental
500.00
Hydrant Repairs
68.93
Drinking Fountains
100.00
Sprinklers
36.00
Miscellaneous
383.36
Total Cost of Water System from Beginning to January
1, 1944 $833,071.45
252.00
Total Cost December 31, 1944
$833,323.45
Water Bonds and Interest
There were $9,000.00 in bonds payable in 1944.
The interest on serial bonds for the year 1944 amounted to $460.00.
There are $9,000.00 in bonds and $235.00 interest due in 1945 as fol- lows :
Payable
Interest
Bonds
April 1, 1945
$ 15.00
April 15, 1945
100.00
$ 2,000.00
June 1, 1945
40.00
2,000.00
October 1, 1945
15.00
2,000.00
October 15, 1945
65.00
3,000.00
$ 235.00
$ 9,000.00
Water Department
198
$ 59,692.55
Meters
Rainfall at Pumping Station
Normal Rain-
Month
Fall-inch'es
Rainfall in 1944-inches
Excess or Deficiency-1944
January
3.40
2.63
- . 77
February
3.18
2.26
- . 92
March
3.79
4.22
+ .43
April
3.89
3.84
-. 05
May
2.93
.83
-2.10
June
3.57
5.32
+1.75
July
3.38
2.56
- . 82
August
3.22
2.83
- . 39
September
3.72
7.22
+3.50
October
2.98
2.65
- . 33
November
3.29
6.03
+2.74
December
3.45
3.18
- . 27
Totals
40.80
43.57
+2.77
The average rainfall for Massachusetts as deduced by the State De- partment of Public Health from long continued observation in various parts of the Commonwealth is 44.54 inches.
As may be seen by a table in this report showing the amount of rainfall for the years 1900-1944 inclusive, the average annual rainfall at the Reading Hundred Acre Pumping Station No. 2 on Strout Avenue is 40.80 inches.
The rainfall in 1944 in Reading was a deficiency of .97 inches com- pared with the State observations and an excess of 2.77 inches compared with the Reading Pumping Station observations.
There was a deficiency of rainfall in the months of January, Febru- ary, April, May, July, August, October and December of 5.65 inches, and an excess in the months of March, June, September and November of 8.42 inches, comparing each month with an average rainfall at Reading Pumping Station between the years 1900-1944 inclusive.
The greatest amount of rainfall in 1944 for any one month was in September, with a fall of 7.22 inches; in any one day, Thursday, Septem- ber 14, 1944 with a fall of 3.71 inches. The years' total rainfall of 43.57 inches was an excess of 7.53 inches from the total rainfall of 1943, which was 36.04 inches.
The elevation of the Hundred Acre Meadow Pumping Station is approximately eighty feet above sea level.
Water Department
199
TABLE SHOWING AMOUNT OF RAIN AND MELTED SNOW
Day of Month
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1
T
.17
.04
3
T
4
T
.50 .09
T
.93
.12
6
1.89
.12
.19
T
T
.20
.35
7
.84
.05
.02
8
.60
9
T
T
.13
10
. 44
.02
.56
11
. 54
.37
. 29
1.09
12
.06
. 14
.17
.02
13
.26
14
.56
.17
1.80
3. . 1
.05
15
. 44
1.20
. 12
.03
.04
16
.22
.16
.34
.28
.59
17
.49
.10
.01
.60
.02
.11
18
.33
.19
19
T
.45
.35
.12
20
.42
.53
.66
.03
21
.06
.15
.02
.88
.97
22
.60
.20
23
.01
.52
.12
.02
.01
.02
24
1.32
T
1.87
.18 T
11
. 38
26
.03
.01
.12
.03
T
27
T
.20
.20
.01
.70
.71
28
.12
.01
.32
29
.22
.01
1.63
30
.29
.50
.54
31
.12
T
.22
Monthly Totals . .
2.63
2.26
4.22
3.84
.83
5.32
2.56
2.83
7.22
2.65
6.03
3.18
Totals to Date. 2.63
4.89
9.11
12.95
13.78
19.10
21.66
24.49
31.71
34.36
40.39
43.57
.30
T
T
T
.70
.06
.04
25
.02
.08
.02 T
.09 .01
.18 .08 .20
.45
.10
T 1.68 T
.90 .66
.01
. 24
T
5
Water Department
200
AMOUNT OF RAINFALL FOR YEARS 1900 TO 1944 INCLUSIVE
Year
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
1900
5.32
8.69
5.03
2.15
4.60
3.13
1.90
3.17
4.15
3.31
5.05
2.44
48.94
1901
1.33
1.08
5.88
9.59
7.21
1.74
4.65
2.66
3.59
2.76
3.06
8.10
51.65
1902.
1.80
6.11
4.69
6.22
1.69
1.98
3.02
3.75
4.01
4.91
0.99
5.60
44.77
1903
3.84
3.16
6.38
4.95
0.48
8.91
3.40
3.42
2.29
3.69
1.33
2.59
44.44
1904.
4.42
2.21
2.21
9.90
3.56
2.56
1.88
4.26
5.16
2.02
1.80
2.25
42.23
1905.
5.44
1.47
2.92
2.59
1.39
6.11
1.19
3.30
7.87
1.20
2.22
3.72
39.42
1906.
2.60
2.53
6.48
2.84
5.14
2.63
5.88
4.18
1.36
2.38
3.31
3.08 3.60
44.97
1907.
3.97
2.10
2.40
3.21
2.89
3.80
3.58
1.33
7.90
3.36
6.83
1908.
3.07
4.28
2.72
1.71
4.00
1.58
3.09
4.07
0.86
3.56
1.10
2.66
32.70
1909.
4.17
5.33
3.57
3.95
1.97
2.14
3.59
2.75
3.74
1.23
4.06
3.60
40.10
1910.
4.54
3.14
1.58
2.32
1.19
4.36
1.98
2.61
2.45
1.48
4.30
1.92
31.87
1911.
2.25
2.94
3.12
1.89
0.67
3.43
4.79
3.80
2.94
2.91
4.14
3.57
36.45
1912.
2.68
2.42
5.04
4.05
5.73
0.29
6.44
2.02
3.02
1.45
3.10
4.80
41.04
1913.
2.48
2.64
4.51
3.76
3.45
0.93
1.68
3.48
3.66
7.56
2.13
3.24
39.52
1914.
3.34
3.65
4.09
6.32
2.76
1.44
2.34
2.78
0.23
1.51
2.92
3.69
35.07
1915.
5.52
3.54
0.00
2.72
1.68
4.60
8.76
6.66
0.70
2.80
2.93
5.47
45.38
1916.
1.22
5.37
3.37
5.14
4.59
5.86
3.13
2.30
3.11
1.01
1.94
2.01
39.05
1917.
2.92
2.41
4.18
2.90
4.00
4.78
1.19
3.70
1.46
5.75
1.39
2.65
37.33
1918.
3.08
3.02
2.02
4.10
0.85
3.04
2.99
2.81
8.37
1.02
2.24
2.48
36.02
1919.
3.24
3.61
4.01
2.46
5.44
0.88
3.22
3.83
5.65
2.63
6.20
1.53
42.70
2.75
6.46
4.21
5.75
3.27
5.24
1.94
2.02
4.27
1.16
4.67
4.82
46.56
2.09
3.43
2.43
5.48
1.86
4.02
9.79
1.96
1.74
1.57
6.50
2.28
43.15
1922.
1.77
2.72
4.27
1.37
5.08
11.27
4.88
3.29
3.68
2.73
1.06
3.12
45.24
1923.
6.95
1.67
2.60
5.17
1.56
2.79
1.98
3.17
0.82
3.63
4.13
4.83
39.30
1924.
3.77
2.55
1.71
4.25
3.10
2.53
2.70
4.80
7.95
0.05
2.56
1.52
37.49
1925
4.28
2.14
7.66
2.95
2.05
5.62
5.13
2.37
2.16
4.66
3.94
5.53
46.49
2.53
4.41
2.83
2.24
2.19
1.80
2.08
3.30
1.32
3.95
3.89
3.08
33.62
2.32
3.18
1.30
1.43
2.19
2.27
3.04
5.28
2.68
4.10
4.18
4.77
36.74
2.17
3.37
1.45
5.13
2.77
6.63
3.65
3.84
4.18
2.96
2.28
2.57
41.00
3.14
3.76
3.49
6.81
3.50
1.21
1.19
4.53
2.41
2.49
2.87
3.63
39.03
1929.
2.05
3.29
1.90
3.38
2.19
4.07
2.77
0.79
4.45
3.68
2.20
33.25
1930.
3.27
2.72
4.94
3.07
3.53
6.47
3.76
4.11
1.97
2.43
1.26
3.72
41.25
1932
3.92
1.90
4.83
2.01
1.17
1.81
2.04
5.09
7.24
7.26
5.25
1.29
43.81
1933
2.27
3.46
7.22
6.51
2.70
1.27
1.47
4.41
9.97
3.50
0.96
3.47
47.21
1934
3.17
3.29
5.13
3.09
2.52
4.00
1.25
1.73
6.43
3.89
2.03
2.70
39.23
1935
6.13
3.23
1.06
4.72
1.44
6.21
2.67
1.98
4.03
0.58
4.36
0.90
37.31
1936.
6.60
3.09
7.23
3.01
2.05
2.73
1.75
4.49
4.15
1.59
1.37
8.24
46.30
4.50
1.80
3.21
4.61
3.13
3.45
0.97
3.91
3.04
4.48
5.18
4.89
43.17
1938.
4.08
2.07
2.11
3.12
3.51
7.18
11.42
2.19
8.33
2.93
1.86 0.77
2.92
33.48
1939
2.08
3.48
4.00
4.47
2.02
2.77
0.73
3.13
2.45
4.66
6.67
2.73
39.24
1941.
3.16
1.88
2.51
1.87
2.24
2.09
3.66
3.05
0.58
2.13
2.38
4.08
29.63
1942.
4.25
2.98
7.20
2.02
3.34
3.19
5.08
1.82
2.18
2.99
4.72
5.61
45.38
1943.
3.09
1.03
3.57
2.60
5.54
2.09
4.79
1.35
0.67
5.84
4.45
1.02
36.04
1944.
2.63
2.26
4.22
3.84
0.83
5.32
2.56
2.83
7.22
2.65
6.03
3.18
43.57
Average.
3.40
3.18
3.79
3.89
2.93
3.57
3.38
3.22
3.72
2.98
3.29
3.45
40.80
2.85
51.65
1940.
2.22
4.34
3.68
4.65
3.52
2.41
2.58
0.80
4.59
1.05
1926.
1927 .
1928.
2.48
1931
1937 .
1920.
1921.
42.41
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
For Year Ending December 31, 1944 Reading Water Department Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
General Statistics
Population by census of 1940: 10,861
Date of Construction : 1890, Mill Street; 1931, Grove Street.
By whom owned: Town of Reading.
Sources of Supply : Filter Gallery and Artesian Wells.
Mode of Supply : (whether gravity or pumping) : Pumping.
Pumping Statistics
Builders of Pumping Machinery: Sullivan Machine Co., George F. Blake Mfg. Co., Platt Iron Works, DeLaval Steam Turbine Co.
Electric Pumps at Grove Street Station
Description of Pumps :
(A) Pumping Unit No. 1:2-stage 5/4 DeLaval, 75 H.P. 1750 R.P.M. 3 phase 60 cycle, 440 volts, 650 G.P.M.
(B) Pumping Unit No. 2-1-2-stage 8/6 DeLaval, 125 H. P. 1750 G.P.M. 3 phase 60 cycle, 440 volts, 1000 G.P.M.
K. W. H. used for year : 313,500
Power Cost for year: $5,475.19.
Total Pumpage by Venturi Meter : 245,429,500 gallons.
Cost of Pumping per Million Gallons, power only :$22.31.
Average number gallons pumped per K.W.H .: 780.61.
Cost of pumping figured on Total Pumping Station No. 2 'expenses, per Million Gallons pumped : $30.53.
Cost of Filtration, per Million Gallons, figured on Filtration Plant Expenses : $5.69.
Total Cost of Supplying Water, per Million Gallons, figured on Total Maintenance, plus interest on bonds : $121.58.
Average Static Head against which pumps work: 227
Average Dynamic Head against which pumps work: 258
Water Department
202
Statistics Relating to Distribution Mains
Kind of Pipe: Cast Iron, Galvanized Iron.
Sizes : 11/4 inches to 12 inches.
Extended : No main water pipe extensions installed in 1944.
Total in use at present : 52.63 Miles (6" to 12").
Cost of Maintenance per mile : $16.14.
Number of Hydrants added during year : None.
Number of Hydrants in use (Public and Private) : 329.
Number of Stop Gates added during year: None.
Number of Stop Gates now in use: 851.
Number of Stop Gates smaller than 4": 152.
Number of Blow Offs added during year: None.
Number of Blow Offs now in use: 29.
Range of Pressure on Water Mains : 45-90 1bs.
Statistics Relating to Suction Mains
Kind of Pipe: Cast Iron. Sizes of Pipe : 16", 12", 10", 8".
Total Number of Feet in use: 116 feet of 16", 1270 feet of 12", 882 feet of 10", 3146 feet of 8". Total=5414 Feet.
Gates in use on Suction Mains : 1-16", 4-12", 1-10", 3-8", 102-21/2" Gates.
Wells in Use : Line A- 7 Wells Line B-16 Wells Line C-11 Wells. Line D-12 Wells Line E-15 Wells Line F-18 Wells.
Line G- 8 Wells Line H-13 Wells Total 100 Wells
Statistics Relating to Services
Services : Kinds of Pipe -:- Cast Iron, Galvanized Iron, Lead Lined, Cement Lined, and Copper Tubing.
Sizes : 3/4 inch to 6 inch.
Extended : 296.50 feet.
Total in use: 43.80 miles.
Number of active service taps added during year : 3.
Number of service taps in use: 2743.
Average length of services installed in 1944: 98.83 feet.
Average cost of water services to owner in 1944: $92.09.
Number of water meters tested: 250. Number of water meters repaired: 181.
Number of water meters added: 4.
Number of water meters junked: 2.
Number of water meters now in use: 3293.
Water Department
203
IRON REMOVAL PLANT Chemical and Microscopic Character of Raw Water-1944 (Unfiltered-Direct from Tubular Wells) (Parts per Million)
PARTS PER MILLION, EXCEPT AS NOTED
Month
No. of Test Days
Iron
Oxygen Consumed
Ave.
Max.
P.P.M.
% Sat.
.360
6.2
January. .
1
2.40
48.0
... .
...
.340
6.1
February.
1
2.20
43.0
. . .
....
March
1
1.92
42.5
0.85
7.3
.400
6.2
April.
1
2.10
43.0
..
....
400
6.0
June. .
1
1.90
46.0
1.30
11.9
.320
6.2
July .
1
.
1
1.10
39.0
..
1
1.60
38.0
1.25
10.8
. 230
6.0
November
1
1.40
45.0
1.20
10.1
. 360
6.1
December .
Total.
12
203.0
520.1
5.85
50.9
3.80
72.9
Average.
.
1.69
43.3
1.17
10.2
.320
6.1
Chemical and Microscopic Character of Water Delivered to Mains-1944 (Filtered Water as Delivered from Iron Removal Plant) (Parts per Million)
PARTS PER MILLION, EXCEPT AS NOTED
Month
No. of Test Days
Iron
Oxygen Consumed
Ave.
Max.
P.P.M.
% Sat.
January. .
1
0.45
5.5
.
...
....
....
.008
7.1
February.
1
0.40
5.0
March .
1
0.37
5.0
10.8
91.8
.016
7.1
May.
1
0.38
5.0
.
..
. 012
7.1
June. .
1
0.40
5.5
... .
10.1
94.0
. 004
7.1
July. .
1
0.29
.
..
4.5
.
1
0.18
4.0
.004
7.2
October . .
1
0.26
4.0
11.2
96.3
.005
7.2
November.
2
0.24
4.3
1
0.30
4.5
10.9
89.8
. 006
7.2
Total
12
3.71
.
. .
.
54.2
468.2
. 094
85.8
Average.
0.32
4.7
.
.
. . .
. 240
6.1
August.
.220
6.0
September
.300
6.0
October .
2
1.21
44.3
. 400
6.0
May.
1
2.20
48.0
Carbon Dioxide
Dissolved Oxygen
Manganese
pH Value
Carbon Dioxide
Dissolved Oxygen
Manganese
PH Value
.010
7.1
.
. .
..
. .
.
.
·
. 015
7.1
.
.. .
4.8
. 004
7.2
August ..
1
0.20
September.
...
. 005
7.2
December
56.4
....
April .
.
1.16
39.0
YEARLY RECORD OF HUNDRED ACRE PUMPING STATION January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1944
Month
No. Days
No. Hours
No. Min.
Gallons Pumped Venturi Meter
Total Head
Power K.W.H.
Gallons Per K.W.H.
Rain- fall
Fuel Oil
Daily Average Gallons Pumped
January. .
31
361
15
19,240,700
227
24,400
788.55
2.63
198
620,668
February
29
353
30
18,654,600
227
23,600
790.44
2.26
365
643,262
March.
31
408
21,503,000
227
27,000
796.40
4.22
175
693,645
April ..
30
359
30
18,878,000
227
23,800
793.00
3.84
629,266
May ..
31
422
30
22,113,800
227
28,300
781.40
.83
.. .
713,348
June. .
30
431
15
22,730,300
227
29,000
783.80
5.32
757,676
July . .
31
446
15
23,293,100
227
29,800
781.64
2.56
751,390
August. .
31
469
24,560,000
227
31,800
772.32
2.83
792,258
September.
30
358
15
18,735,600
227
24,400
767.85
7.22
624,520
October.
31
374
30
19,572,500
227
25,100
779.77
2.65
631,371
November.
30
339
15
17,800,300
227
22,900
777.35
6.03
136
593,343
December .
31
350
18,347,600
227
23,400
754.84
3.18
370
591,858
Totals .
366
4,673
15
245,429,500
227
313,500
780.61
43.57
1,244
670,217
. .
.
. .
KIND AND SIZES OF METERS IN USE JANUARY 1, 1945
Make
1"
116"
2"
3"
4 "
8'
Totals
Nash .
1,566
14
14
1
5
3
. .
·
:
1,603
Hersey.
534
11
24
6
9
7
1
1
1
594
Empire.
261
1
2
.
. .
..
184
Pittsburg.
152
13
2
..
. .
167
Trident .
239
2
Crown.
68
2
2
3
8
. .
. .
83
Lambert
49
2
51
Union.
44
1
1
46
Worthington
35
. .
. .
.
. .
. .
. .
. .
3
Gem. .
.
.
. .
1
. .
1
Totals
3,141
43
48
17
19
20
3
1
1
3,293
COMPARATIVE TOTAL PUMPAGE DURING PAST TEN YEARS 1935 to 1944 inclusive
Year
Annual Pumpage (Gallons)
Increase or Decrease (Gallons)
Average Daily Pumpage (Gallons)
Increase or Decrease (Gallons)
Cost per Million Gallons Pumped Figured on Total Maint. and Int. on Bonds
Esti- mated Popu- lation
1935
248,075,400
26,815,000 Inc. 1,034 ,700 Inc.
680,629
73,466 Inc. 971 Inc.
90.61
10,703
1936
249,110,100
36,625 ,700 Dec.
582,149
98 ,480 Dec.
129.81
10,703
1938
213,853,400
1,369,000 Inc.
585,900
3,751 Inc.
122.24
10,703
1939
245,937 ,000
32,083,600 Inc.
673,800
87 ,900 Inc.
106.93
10,703
1940
245,786 ,000
151 ,000 Dec. 453 ,500 Dec.
672,143
597 Inc.
115.57
10,861
1942
224,146 ,800
21,185 ,700 Dec.
613,965
58,178 Dec.
134.07
10,861
1943
229,498 ,200
5,351 ,400 Inc.
14,797 Inc.
142.41
10,861
1944
245,429 ,500
15,931 ,300 Inc.
628 ,762 670,217
41,455 Inc.
121.58
10,961
1
9
Federal.
8
. .
.
.
. .
. .
.
Thompson
2
1
. .
1
. .
36
Keystone
182
2
. .
. .
. .
.
.
Water Department
206
100.70
10,703
1937
212,484 ,400
679,658
671,546
2 ,254 Dec.
99.06
10,861
1941
245,332 ,500
8
1
2
267
Gamon.
241
8
MAIN PIPE CONSTRUCTION
Due to continuing Federal government restrictions on residential construction, no main water pipe extensions were made to the water distribution system during 1944. As of January 1, 1945, the Reading water distribution system comprises 52.63 miles of water mains in sizes 6" to 12", besides other mains of smaller sizes.
Main Pipe Maintenance
No distribution main breaks occurred in 1944 on 6" or larger water mains. One leak developed in a 11/4" main on North Pearl Street, due to pipe failure.
During a sub-zero cold wave early in January, the 6" main over Death Bridge on Lowell Street became frozen. The pipe casing was later opened, more insulation added and the casing replaced and painted.
A program of inspecting and testing all main gate valves in the water distribution system, including hydrant gates, was completed. Gate valves were tested for operational functions and accessibility, and a rec- ord made of each gate valve's operational efficiency. Minor repairs were found necessary on some valves. These were mainly failures of the gate valve boxes. All gate valves were found to be in operating condition.
Service Pipe Construction and Maintenance
Three new water services were installed in 1944, two being installed to existing dwellings not previously connected, and one being installed to an existing dwelling previously serviced through the cellar of another dwelling. Partition of the property into two separate lots with a dwell- ing on each made the new service necessary. These three new water services totaled 296.50 feet in length, had an average length per individ- ual service of 98.83 feet at an average cost of service to owners of $92.09. As of January 1, 1945, there are 43.80 miles of service pipe in use in the water distribution system, comprising 2743 individual service taps, in sizes ranging from 3/4" to 6".
Ten water services developed leaks, in the street sections of the services. The causes of the leaks ranged from pipe and fitting failures to corporation and lead gooseneck defects.
During the year, it was necessary to rod and flush 72 water services to remove incrustation from service pipes and improve water pressure in residences. In several instances sections of service pipe were removed and re-laid with new cement lined pipe.
Water Department
207
New curb stops were cut in on several services to replace defective stops. New curb boxes were installed in several instances, also as re- placements of defective boxes. In 50 instances, it was necessary to re- pair service pipes at cellar walls, and 78 new cellar shut-offs were in- stalled to replace worn and defective existing shut-offs.
Meter Maintenance
A total of 250 active water meters, in sizes ranging from 5/8" to 2", were removed from services, and tested by the meter repair department in 1944. Of this number, 181 meters were dismantled, cleaned, repaired, tested and installed. Two obsolete meters were junked and replaced with new meters. Four new meters were set on new services. During the winter months, sixteen meters became frozen, and were repaired and reset.
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