Good Water Coming

The meeting of the committee of the council and citize-ns appointed to confer with the water company and the water company held in the council room resulted very satisfactorily for the people of the city. A wise spirit of conciliation prevailed and the result will undoubtedly be seen in an immediateimprovement in the water and in the obtaining of an ampie supply later on. All the members of the committee but one were present and Messrs. Hamilton and T. F. Hutzel represente?! the water comí Ltiy. It was v.v.cided to take up the recommenda'ions of the water committee onë at a time. The first recommendation, "that the company be required to draw off and entirely clean the reservoir, catch basins and pipes" gave rise to considerable discussion of the whole question of supply. It was admitted that the reservoir had never been cleaned but Mr. Hamilton said the pipes had been blown off last year. In reply to a question regarding the amount of water used by motors, Mr. Hamilton said that all the motors ia printing offices, butcher shops and running fans, in fact all the motors were metered and that in the past 90 days they had used 8,300,000 gallons or considerable less than 100,000 gallons a day. Between two and three million more gallons of water had been used so far this month than last. He maintained that not over 500 gallons a day was lost from the reservoir. With both pumps 3,000,000 gallons a day could be pumped, the large pump havingacapacity of 2,300,000. Some of the committee were inclined to believe that leaky valves had much to do with the increase in water consumption. Mr. Hutzel said that after a shower the consumption feil off 500,000 or 600,000 a day. Mr. Hamilton said that a garden hose allowed to run all day used more water than any motor, excepting that in a printing office. The scarcity of water was not caused by the motors. Aid. Martin saidhe paid $125 for water and heknew there were people who paid only $10 who used more water than he did. There was a wide difference of opinión between the committee as to whether more water is used in sprinkling now then formerly. Getting back to the question, the company requested the council to set apart two days for the cleaningof the reservoir during which the people were requested not to use their hose. The company would then pump direct in the pipes andpressure could be kept up. On motion of Aid. Manly the committee decided to recommend this to the council. The second recommendation that the reservoir and catch basins be paved with cement and made water tight" was taken up. Mr. Hamilton said the present reservoir was made under the direction of Prof. Greene. The same question was discussed then. When cement lined reservoirs were made in this part of the country they invariably cracked and scalea off. The reservoir was lined with cobble stones on both the sideè and bottom. Aid. Prettyman said the committee hadn't known that there were cobble stones on the bottorn. The filth being so thick they had been unable to detect them. He thought that cement could be got which would not crack. Mr. Hamilton said that such a bottom would cost $5,000 or $10,000 and the company preferred to put that amount in a well. Col. Dean didn't favor a cement bottom. It didn't make a good bottom. It made the water hard and the fresh water pouring over on the smooth surface kept the sediment in motion and roiled the water. It was found by a reference to the water contract that the reservoir was paved as the contract directed. After discussion it was decided that the council should appoint some one to see that the work was thoroughly done, the following resolution by Mr. Bullis being adopted. Resolved, That we recommend to the council that hereafter the reservoir be thoroughly cleaned by the water company in the months ol April and October of each year and that the reservoir be cleaned immediately under the supervisión of the water committee of the council, or such other person as they may direct. The recommendation regarding the cement bottom was laid on the table. The third recommendation, that a roof be constructed over the reservoir, gave rise to some discussion and was laid on the table. Mr. Hamilton said it had been considered best to place a rockery in the reservoir and pump the water over it and thoroughly aérate it. Air was the best known purifier of water. It was shown that the water committee did not want the sides enclosed, but the committee finally agreed that they preferred to have the sun get at the water, and that the expense of roofing an acre would be almost too heavy. They wanted reptiles, toads and frogs kept out of the water, and means of doing this were good-naturedly discussed. The company showed a desire to comply with the wishes of the committee. Now came the main recommendation, that the company be required to construct one or more large wells. Mr. Hamilton said the corapany was contemplating doing so. They were at a loss to know just where to put the well, but as soon as Prof. Greene got back would determine it and would put down a well thirty feet across during the coming winter. They could not do it now. After various questions. the committee expressed themselves as satisfied, and adjourned subject to the cali of the president within one week after the reservoir had been clear.ed. During the meeting Mr. Hamilton :resented an analysis of the water, made by Prof. Chute, of water taken from his hydrant July 19, indicating the absence of organic matter and nitrates and a good condition of the water. President Watts' pertinent questions showed considerable study of the subject, and the various members of the committee showed a desire to do the best that could be done for the city, while being perfectly fair with the company. It is unnecessary to state that the meeting was highly successful.