WATER BOARD OF NEW BEDFORD.

WATER BOARD OF NEW BEDFORD.

Superintendent R. C. P. Coggeshall, in the twenty-eighth report of the New Bedford, Mass., water works states that the distributing mains of the system have been increased 27,566 feet and that 8,844 feet of pipe previously laid have been removed. The total mileage of pipe is now a little over eighty-seven and one-half miles. A large amount of wrought iron cement-lined pipe—3.198 feet has been removed and replaced with sixteen-inch cast iron pipe. Only a small amount of such pipe still remains in use. Four hundred and twenty-four service pipes have been laid, making 8,860 in use; forty-two new hydrants set, making 693 in all. Fifty-five new stop-gates were also set, making 764 in all, besides, stop-gates of small size, waste-gates, air-taps, and eight private stop-gates—total of last in use. 193. The total number of motors in use is no. The total consumption of water for the year (estimated population, 60,roo, estimated population on lines of pipe, 51,000 estimated population supplied, 50,000), 2.071,702,478 gallons; passed throngh domestic meters, 61,828,072 (three per cent.); passed through manufacturing meters, 280,223,040 gallons (thirteen and one-half per cent.); average daily consumption in gallons, 5.675,897 gallons; gallons per day to each inhabitant, ninety five; gallons per day for each customer, 113; gallons per day to each tap (8,860 in use), 641. During the year 258 meter have been put in of which over one-half belong to the water takers and were put in at their request; the remainder are the property of the city and were placed upon services where a waste of water was *. own to exist,

not (says the report) with the view of increasing revenue, but as our best weapon to check the wilful throwing away of water. There are many who do not realize that the city water, after it has been pumped and conducted to the city and into the dwelling has a value; that every gallon wasted represents the useless consumption of a certain amount of coal; and that it is hastening the day when still further heavy expenditures must be made for additional supply. A liberal amount should be allowed every taker, enough to meet every possible want; but, when a single dwelling uses 250 barrels of water in a single day, the greater part, of course, must be thrown away, as it is simply impossible to u«e such large amounts for legitimate purposes. We find cases like this, and it is often difficult to convince the owner that he is exceeding his privilege. One faucet or closet will deliver, say, six gallons per minute or 8,640 gallons in twenty-four hours. Suppose the owners of each of the 8,000 dwellings now supplied in this city were inclined to let run continuously one faucet, an enormous supply would be required to meet such a demand. It would take 60,000,000 gallons per day—an amount several times in excess of the ful’ capacity of the new plant now in process of construction. When meters have been placed upon wasteful services, with a few exceptions the desired result has been attained. The former indifferent taker becomes actively interested when he learns that he is paying for measured water. lie uses as much as he ever did ; but he allows little or none to run to waste. In the large majority of these cases, and there is no reason except lack of care why this statement should not apply to all cases, he reduces his bill made out from the meter to a figure below the amount, if charged by fixture rates. In support of this statement we would say that, considering 111 meters upon this class of service for one month, the value of measured water supplied was $204. If it had been charged in accordance with the schedule list, it would have been $255.61, and the amount of water used would have undoubtedly been many limes what it was. Thus a saving is effected for both the consumer and city, and benefit results to both parties. It seems hardly necessary to add that the revenue received from those who have voluntarily put in meters and paid for them— some 400 in number—is less than if they had no meters and were paying fixture rates.