底特律面对水饥荒
感动加德纳威廉斯的报告,种社会l consulting engineer, who declared that Detroit. Mich., will be confronted with an absolute failure of its water system unless immediate measures are taken to relieve the over taxing of the equipment, the water board has adopted a resolution requesting the common council to loan the board a sum not to exceed $250,000 that action may be taken to obviate the situation. Mr. Williams’ investigation has not yet been completed, but it has progressed far enough to assign as the reason for breaks, an overtaxing of the system in all its parts. For the relief of present conditions and to prevent further injury to the system, Mr. Williams suggested improvements which he estimates will cost $3,921,750. "If financial considerations preclude your honorable body from entering upon the work," reads the report, "in the opinion of the writer, an appeal to the patriotism of the citizens of Detroit for temporary financial assistance is abundantly warranted. Commissioner Pound read the report to the other members of the board and later he offered the resolution requesting the council to loan the board, Aug. 1. for a period of one year, a sum not to exceed $250,000. interest to be paid at the rate given the city by the banks. Tuesday a special meeting will be held at which the report will be gone over carefully. Mr. Williams’ investigation showed that on Feb. 12 there was pumped 147,463.240 gallons of water, an increase of 41 per cent, over the maximum quantity pumped during the preceding winter. That more serious damage did not result from this overworking of the system the engineer says was most fortunate. His investigation, the report sets forth, found the following conditions: The capacity of the intake was exceeded by 16 per cent.; 80 per cent, of the boiler capacity was continuously in service with only 12½ per cent, in reserve against accidents and for cleaning and repairs; the engine service was overloaded 10 per cent, with a crippled engine capable of pumping only to the low service, while the large supply mains of the distribution system were overtaxed to the extent of 65 per cent, of their carrying capacity. Inasmuch as water delivered at a rate of nearly 162,000,000 gallons during the hot period of last summer, it is reasonable that a demand of 180,000,000 gallons can be expected this year, says Mr. Williams, who adds that it is extremely doubtful whether the system can supply it. Chief among the recommendations made in the report is the building of a new intake tunnel, 12 feet in diameter, at a cost of $400,000. If plans are begun immediately it is not likely, Mr. Williams says, that the intake could be put in service before 1915. Early relief, he suggests, may be obtained by installing a turbine pumping plant in the shore shaft of the present tunnel. Serious consequences are likely to follow unless the boiler and engine room facilities are immediately bettered, declares the report. Mr. Williams suggests that a boiler plant of not less than 3,200 horsepower capacity, and three engines now under contract for the new pumping station, be installed immediately. The laying of the Baker. Dix, St. Antoine, Palmer, Holbrook, Hazelwood. Charlevoix and Michigan avenue mains, is earnestly recommended, as is the completion of the Forest avenue and Hight street mains, with a 30-inch branch from the latter on Twelfth street to Bagg street, and a 60-inch main from the pumping station to the intersection of Twelfth and Dalzelle streets. The cost of these improvements would be as follows:
Intake, 12 ft. diameter. $400,000
