Water-works for Small Towns.

Water-works for Small Towns.

An illustration of what may be done with a well-designed and well-managed water-works system, owned by a village, is furnished in the following statement made by the secretary of the Baldwinsville (N. Y.) water-works :

“ This is a pumping system pumping from a well into a stand-pipe by steam power, and is to be fairly compared with pumping plants owned by companies and operated under a franchise, the village paying hydrant rental, the usual price of which is $40 per hydrant per annum. These works have been in operation only about four months, having been completed in February, 1890. The exact number of water mains now (June 23, 18170). is 167. The yearly rentals for this number will amount to $1650, or a trifle less than $10 per taker (the rate is $5 for a tap for domestic use). The cost for the first ten weeks, which includes engineer’s services, oil and coal consumed during that time, averaged $3.25 per day. This included 3360 pounds of coal per week, at $3.25 per ton, and $50 per month for engineer. The actual cost of pumping water during that time was ten cents per 1000 gallons. We shall reduce this average for the next three months, as we must pump nearly every day now, which will bring the price per 1000 gallons still lower. We are using 40,000 to 50,000 gallons daily. Our works, when complete, will cost $58,000, including engineer’s house now under construction, grading lot, building drives, walks, etc. The interest is 3 1/2 per cent, payable annually. We are making taps as fast as possible.”