The Public ‘1 Water Warks. fin Asset of South Worth one ' Million Dollars “Norwalk Clear Water Basin Primary Section N0. 4 g...._._........_.,.. e..ui«.~.......... . Primary Section N0. 3 ‘ Second Aerator Chamber Operating House Primary Section No. 2 Secondary Filter ‘ A -M... f ' Primary Section N0. 1 First Aerator Chamber BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF PURIFICATION PLANT AT WILTON, CONN., SIX MILES NORTH OF CITY, COVERING ONE AND ONE-HALF ACRES. ELEVATION 260 FEET ABOVE CITY. BUILT OF SOLID CONCRETE. CAPACITY 4.000.000 GALLONS DAILY The public water system of South Norwalk 5 has been in operation for thirty-six years. It e has established a good record for its value' and efficiency, which possibly cannot be more tersely expressed than by the simple state- ment that frOm its original installation up to the present moment. the city has not been out of water. A still more convincing demon- stration of its resourcefulness and, high stand- ard of proficiency is furnishedufrom the exper- ience of last year. The continued drought of nearly six months produced a water famine throughout this section 0f the country. Sev- eral public water systems were exhaiisted. and many adjoining towns had empty reservoirs. During this strenuous period South Norwalk had ample water for all demands and supplied the City of Norwalk for nearly two months, also furnished the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad with a double allowance of their usual consumption on account offailure of their own supply at Rowayton. WATER—SHED. RESERVOIRS AND GROUNDS. The area of water-shed that supplies the South Norwalk public water system, comprises ten square miles. It is located in two valleys. the water~shed of the east valley being con~ nected with the west valley by pipe line laid at hydraulic grade. across the country for one and 0ne~half miles, the city owning a deeded permanent right of way through the properties ‘ where it is laid. The water is conveyed to four reservoirs which cover about two hundred acres of ground. having a storage capacity of 680,000,000 gallons. At a nominal expendb ture the overflow of the city lake at Wilton can be raised five feet and the roadways changed. By this alteration it would add about 250.000.- 000 gallons more and make a total storage of over 900,000,000 gallons pf water. The reser- voirs are located at an altitude of two hum dred and sixty feet above high water and from them the water flows by gravity to the filtra- tion plant. thence to the city through a sixteen- inch and twelve-inch main after its purification. Surrounding the reservoirs there are over two hundred and fifty acres more of land. thereby affording protection, to the impounded water. At another point on the water~shed the city owns one hundred acres more of land where there is a natural site to build another reser- voir that would hold 300000.000 gallons or more of water. Also on the grounds. located at convenient points there are five cottages, one is occupied by the inspector of reservoirs and pipe-lines. one by the chief operator and one by the assistant operator of the purifica- tion plant. and two by the workmen on the system. WATER—MAINS. FIRE HYDRANTS. PRESSURE. “ The distribution of the public water is by gravity rind requires forty-eight miles of pipe lines. The source of supply from the clear water basin of the filtration plant has an alti- tude of abopt two hundred and forty feet and maintains a normal pressure through the city of from sixtydivc to ninety pounds. and the largest and most stubborn fires are controlled and promptly extinguished. Five public drinking fountains and two hundred and fifty fire hydrants are maintained. Water for street sprinkling. flushing of sewers and for. the city buildings is furnished by the water department without expense to the city. PURIFICATION PLANT. One of the most important and valuable ad» ditiqns to the public water system was the construction of a modern purification plant, which has now been in operation for three years. It is known as the slow-sand filtration with the auxiliary-of aeration. -' The plant was er led from plans and under the supervision and onsultation of the most expert and best autho 'ties in the country. in numerous ways as time ing more a ten . It was the direct rescubr of two cities to a water famine last year. The Consolidated Railroad claims that it pre- fers to have their steam locomotives take water at South Norwalk. as it is the best on the line. Manufacturers have volunteered their testi- mony of the saving and help that it furnishes them in many ways. A prominent druggist states that there is no spring water of any kind or name that compares with the filtered public water for compounding prescriptions. The most important benefit of all is the confidence that is afforded to the public. that the use of the public water is helpful and healthful. AUXILIARY HILL SERVICE. During the year 1909 a special auxiliary ser- vice was constructed on the hill. About one hundred families are suppliedfrom this plant. The residences in this immediately locality are about one hundred and seventy-five feet above high water. The equipment comprises a 50.000 gallon tank erected on a steel trestle eighty feet high. the entire height of the struc- ture being one hundred feet above the hurface. .A pumping station built of stone in which are set two centrifugal pumps directly attached to electric motors. which are governed by auto- matic devices and switchboard. supplies the water to the tank. The power for operating is supplied from the city electrical works. This auxiliary furnishes an abundant supply for all purposes and also affords good fire protection. The patrons who have this service are very much pleased with it. CONSERVATIVE. PRACTICAL susx. ' muss MANAGEMENT. The city water department operates under a special state charter and has a board of 00m- missioners consisting of three members. one ‘ineinber being elected each year to serve for mu of three years. During the thirtyuaix yesrs’ operation of the water works. there have been but sixteen indl lvitluai members on the board. seven of whom are now deceased. The commissioners receive no remuneration for ,."thcir services: they pay their annual water = . rates the some as all other water consumers. sses th value of the plant is becomx good evidence of the practical operation of the department. RECEIPTS. Gross receipts, water rents ..... 10.345.761.15 EXPENDITURES. Paid for interest ............ ..$12.999.7a For maintenance ................. 11,956.01 Paid for taxes . ................... 271.16 Rebates .......................... 36.22 Profits for year ............... 20498.04 ., $45.761.15 From the year's profits. $5,000 of bonds wereL paid all. $2.500 was deposited in the sinking fund. the balance was put into new extensions and betterments. “ STATEMENT. OCTOBER 31. 1910. Assets. Water works and extensions ..... :$56:.675.2a Inventory. supplies and fixtures. . . .. 9,672.22 Accounts receivable ....... . ..... 11.790.60 Sinking fund. established 1910 . .. . 2,500.00 Cash in office and treasury .. ..... 109.64 $585.70“i Liabilities. , Bonds payable. 4% ..... .$315.000.00 Note payable, 4% . . . .. ...... . . 4,000.00 Surplus 066,757.68 . 5585.70.68 The above statement shows the condition of the public water works at the close of the city’s financial year. These figures express the very. flattering facts that our municipal water works, while possessing the great essential funda— . . mentals of unlimited supply and superior qual-. ity of purity. also has the all-important and vital .factor of maintaining itself andwpaying its liabilities without any appropriation from the city or tax from the people. From its own earnings it is operated and today its entire cost is nearly one-half paid for. Since the an- nual statement was made there have been $4.000 of bonds paid off. leaving the total in- debtedness at this date. $315000. The average increase in the revenue fromwater rents is about $1,200 annually. By expressing values in figures one can see much more plainly and convincingly the actual merit of any asset that may be presented for consideration. From this standpoint. the conception would be: Value of water works. $1,000,000; present inctme 345061.15. or 434%. Coat of water works. $561,675; present income 345761.15, or 1333. Debt of water works, $3rg.000; present income $45,761.15. or 14%. Income for 1910, $45,761.15: profit for 1910. $30,498.05. or 45%. The prospective value of the public water system is almost unlimited; as a going proposi- 7” tion for investment it would offer most attraca- tive possibilities. Today the income is nearly four times the interest charges. The~present worth of the public water works of 31.000.000 is a email emount. in comparison to the pros- pective value of ten or twenty years hence. The public water works has all the accessories that in its entireness make it an ideal system and is not excelled throughout New England. . .1 to so?“ stump-w
Norwalk Chronicler