Improvement at North Yakima

Improvement at North Yakima

On the recommendation of Engineer Fletcher some important improvements are to be made in the water system at North Yakima, Wash. The recommendations of Fletcher were for extension of the intake line nine or ten miles farther up the Naches river, the construction of a reservoir 200 feet above the city with a capacity of 10,000,000 gallons, the rebuilding of the supply line, laying of bigger mains in the city and lining with concrete of the present reservoir if it be continued in use. Machinery has been ordered, iron pipe for new mains is already on the ground aqd improvements arc under way that will cost from $100,000 to $150,000. The distribution system consists of approximatley 40 miles of mains of all sizes and kinds of pipe. The loss from leakage is also heavy in the mains. As an example, in February last 7,000,000 gallons of water were delivered to the supply line. On the basis of an average consumption of 100 gallons per capita, the consumers could not have used more than 1,600.000 gallons. This would amount to a loss of 77 per cent. The franchise granted by the city to the company calls for a constant hydrant pressure of 75 pounds in case of fire and a reasonable pressure at all other times. As a matter of fact, the hydrant pressure averages about 50 pounds in the winter and decreases as low as 20 pounds during the summer, but in case of fire this pressure can be increased from 25 to 40 pounds additional by pumping. The heavy loss of head due to leakage is apparent when it is known that the intake of the supply lines is about 400 feet above the city and theoretically a pressure of at least 85 pounds is obtainable.

On the recommendation of Engineer Fletcher some important improvements are to be made in the water system at North Yakima, Wash. The recommendations of Fletcher were for extension of the intake line nine or ten miles farther up the Naches river, the construction of a reservoir 200 feet above the city with a capacity of 10,000,000 gallons, the rebuilding of the supply line, laying of bigger mains in the city and lining with concrete of the present reservoir if it be continued in use. Machinery has been ordered, iron pipe for new mains is already on the ground aqd improvements arc under way that will cost from $100,000 to $150,000. The distribution system consists of approximatley 40 miles of mains of all sizes and kinds of pipe. The loss from leakage is also heavy in the mains. As an example, in February last 7,000,000 gallons of water were delivered to the supply line. On the basis of an average consumption of 100 gallons per capita, the consumers could not have used more than 1,600.000 gallons. This would amount to a loss of 77 per cent. The franchise granted by the city to the company calls for a constant hydrant pressure of 75 pounds in case of fire and a reasonable pressure at all other times. As a matter of fact, the hydrant pressure averages about 50 pounds in the winter and decreases as low as 20 pounds during the summer, but in case of fire this pressure can be increased from 25 to 40 pounds additional by pumping. The heavy loss of head due to leakage is apparent when it is known that the intake of the supply lines is about 400 feet above the city and theoretically a pressure of at least 85 pounds is obtainable.