MAYOR WARNS PENSACOLA WATER COMPANY.

MAYOR WARNS PENSACOLA WATER COMPANY.

Mayor Bliss, of Pensacola, Fla., in a recent communication to the Pensacola Water company, complains that the plant is not properly equipped to cut off the water supply in case more pressure is needed from the standpipe and tank. The mayor points out that the company’s charter requires it to be provided with ati automatic hydraulic valve to cut off the supply of water to the standpipe, permitting the pumps to work direct into the pipe system, by which the pressure in the pipes may he raised to a greater degree than that afforded by the standpipe, when full. That provision has not been complied with, and the mayor orders the company to install without delay the proper means of cutting off the water from the standpipe and, also, the water tank, so that it maylie able to furnish the city with direct pressure whenever fire shall occur. The company in answet states that for twenty years its gravity system has furnished the city with due fire protection entirely from the standpipe pressure. It does not deem it wise or necessary to shut off the standpipe and give direct pressure for fires, inasmuch as a “sudden shut-off of the fire streams under direct pressure will cause a water-hammer, which is liable to hurst the plumbing fixtures all over the city and would probably cause damage to the extent of thousands of dollars before the water could be shut off." The company has referred the mayor's letter to the council to decide as to whether it shall be complied with. The company’s manifesto concludes as follows: “If the water consumers do not want to take the chances of damage by water, they can advise with the city council before they decide.”

Mayor Bliss, of Pensacola, Fla., in a recent communication to the Pensacola Water company, complains that the plant is not properly equipped to cut off the water supply in case more pressure is needed from the standpipe and tank. The mayor points out that the company’s charter requires it to be provided with ati automatic hydraulic valve to cut off the supply of water to the standpipe, permitting the pumps to work direct into the pipe system, by which the pressure in the pipes may he raised to a greater degree than that afforded by the standpipe, when full. That provision has not been complied with, and the mayor orders the company to install without delay the proper means of cutting off the water from the standpipe and, also, the water tank, so that it maylie able to furnish the city with direct pressure whenever fire shall occur. The company in answet states that for twenty years its gravity system has furnished the city with due fire protection entirely from the standpipe pressure. It does not deem it wise or necessary to shut off the standpipe and give direct pressure for fires, inasmuch as a “sudden shut-off of the fire streams under direct pressure will cause a water-hammer, which is liable to hurst the plumbing fixtures all over the city and would probably cause damage to the extent of thousands of dollars before the water could be shut off." The company has referred the mayor's letter to the council to decide as to whether it shall be complied with. The company’s manifesto concludes as follows: “If the water consumers do not want to take the chances of damage by water, they can advise with the city council before they decide.”