Morning enterprise. (Oregon City, Or.) 1911-1933, November 13, 1913, Image 4

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    MORNING ENTERPRISE, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1913.
CAMPBELL PLANS FOR
A BETTER VARSITY
UNIVERSITY OP OREGON, Eu
gene Nov. 12. A great state univer
sity for -Oregon witV an immense stu
dent body, a high standard, as good a
faculty as can be gotten together, and
a system of dispensing knowledge
that will reach the state at large, not
merely the limited number on the
campus, is the plan of President P. L.
Campbell of the University of Ore
gon. It is a plan made possible by
the favorable vote of November" 1,
upon the universltys building appic
priations. Already it has been started.
In a statement just before he left
for Washington, D. C, to make an ad
dress before the National association
of State Universities, President
Campbell gave an inkling of his plans.
Here are some excerpts from his
statements:
"The university can now confidently
bid for the best men the country pro
duces as members of its faculty. Ore
gon has recently been unusually for
tunate in securing men of the very
finest type, but such good luck can
not be counted upon steadily unless
there are reasonable expectations of
permanent university growth.
"With the university now free from
the harassing distractions of campa
igns and allowed to concentrate all its
energies, with hope and renewed
courage," on its problems of higher ef
ficiency and broadened service, it can
very soon to become a principal fact
or in the state's development.
"The whole system of higher educa
tion in Oregon is now in position to
inalte remarkable advances."
FOIL REPORT IS
IE TO
L
(Continued from page 1)
water supply several of which were
suggested.
Sources of investigation.
Early in the present ysars Messrs.
Tooze, Horton and Metzner were ap
pointed a committee by the Council to
investigate sources of pure water.
Many interviews were held with vari
ous engineers, involving trips to Port
land and much correspondence with
authorities in other parts of the state
to obtain information in regard to en
gineering services and available sour
ces of supply. The outcome of these
efforts was the decision of the com
mittee to pursue investigations along
the following lines:
1. The Clear Lake proposition; 2.
Hypochlorite; 3. Canby gravels sup
ply; 4. The development of springs;
5.' The sinking of wells; 6. The se
curing to Oregon City of Bull Run
water rights and supply.
1. The Clear Lake proposition was
considered first. Engineer Louis C.
Kelsey who had been selected as con
sulting engineer by the State Board of
Health to make a report on the feas
ibility of supply from this source be-
, ing. furnished to towns and cities of
the Willamette Valley including Eu
gene, Salem and others, was consult
ed and made a verbal report of his
efforts to the council of this city. Fur
ther consideration of bringing this wa
ter to Oregon City was abandoned by
committee for the time as it was found
that the development of this source
was practicable onlythrough large ap
propriation of state funds for the vast
project and it would take from three
to five years to furnish the same to
Oregon City if the legislature should
favor it.
2. The use of hypochlorite to re
duce possibilities of contamination
was considered and later the council
requested the Board of Water Com
missioners to install the same at the
plant as a precautionary measure. This
was done.
3. M. J. Lee representing himself
and interested capitalists has offered
to furnish water supply to this city
under conditions set forth in a fran
chise prepared and now waiting for
this council's consideration. The pro
visions of this franchise submitted in
the summer after several conferences
between the committee and Mr. Lee
were given full consideration by the
committee, attorney B. N. Hicks, rep
resenting its backers, W. M. Stone rep
resenting the city and the committee
at several meetings and finally com
pleted, June 26, 1913, for further con
sideration by the Council when the
further investigations of other
sources should be completed and pre
sented. The committee examined the terri
tory upon which this supply is located,
with Engineer Dieck who took read
ings topographical and scientific and
discussed this source at length under
Section D, "The Canby Gravels" in
his report of Mar. 19, 1913, on sources
of supply other than the Willamette
River. He therein expresses the be
lief that in wells driven through the
hard clay below the upper gravel and
well into the lower gravel at a suf
ficient distance back from the Molalla
River to preclude any contamination
from this direction a supply of water
may be found which would be perma
nently free from human contamina
tion. The quantity and quality would,
of course, have to be determined by
experiment, as by critical chemical
and bacteriological analysis covering
a sufficient period. This procedure
will of course be necesary before ac
cepting any source as safe.
The main features of the franchise
are: :
(1) The use and right of way in,
through, along and over the -streets
and alleys of Oregon City necessary
chise.
(2) Water shall be taken from "Can-
by Gravels," shall be free from contam
ination. It shall be pure and free from
all disease germs whatever and from
minerals in sufficient quantities to ren
der it unpalatable or injurious to
health. The grantee shall have anal
yzed for this city, by the state bacter
iologist, said water at least twice each
month and said bacteriologist - shall
file duplicate of this report direct with
the Recorder of Oregon City.
(3) A rental of one-half gross re
ceipts, amounting to approximately
$700 per month would be charged.
This would increase cost to average
consumer for residence use approxi
mately 64 cents per month, less of
course his part of the reduction in
cost of filtering estimated at $35.00
per month. -
(4) The amount to be furnished is
minimum of 1,000,000 gallons and
maximum of 2,000,000 gallons per day.
'(5) The term of the franchise is
twenty years, Oregon City reserving
the right to purchase at the end of
any five year, period including land
surrounding plant, right of. way,
leases, etc. The valuation' shall be
determined by three-disinterested ar
biters and in case they shall not agree
it shall referred to the State Railway
Commission for final valuation.
The water pumped at Canby would
flow through 16 inch wooden pipes
by force of gravity and be delivered
into the wells at the "present plant.
The same mains and power as now
would be employed for distributipn.
There would be a saving in not filter
ing as shown in section 3.
The grantees of this franchise of
fer sufficient bonds to insure prompt
and sufficient construction of line and
delivery of water, according to terms
of the franchise attached hereto.
Employment of Engineer
The employment of a hydraulic en- the said springs not offering sufficient
gineer preceded the investigation of supply, and on Tuesday, June '1 7th,
the Canby Gravels and several other Mr. Scott began drilling an eight inch
sources. In this selection the com- well on the Engelbrecht tract,
mittee was very careful and held con-1 The progress of this drilling, the
ference with and investigated the rec-' cost and the results below are cor
ords of several very reputable men of roborated by the city engineer's and
training and experience, among them recorder's records. '
J. H. Cunningham, J. W. Morris, ex- Clear and cool water in large quan
city engineer of Portland, Louis C. Kel- tity was found at a depth approximate
sey, Robert G. Dieck and others. En- ly 50 feet. ,
gineer Dieck was formerly in the gov- The drilling was continued to a
ernment service as sanitary and hy- depth of 148 feet. Having entered a
draulic expert in the Philippines, now brittle red shale indicating absence
Commissioner of Public Works Port- of good water in sufficient quantity
land, was chosen at the current price drilling was discontinued at this depth,
paid all reputable engineers. Having broken the pipe at depth of
Mr. Dieck began his duties system- approximately 40 feet in pulling, a sec-
atically and true to scientific prmci-
pies, first examined the city filter plant
and distributing system as a base for
his' calculations relative to the needs
of the city in the matter of quantity
of supply, etc. His investigations of
this plant recorded in his report with
his recommendations were both time-
ly and would be very valuable it acted
upon.
For several days both Mr. Dieck
and the committee traversed the ter
rietory adjacent to Oregon City, mak-,
ing investigations of every source that :
gave any reasonable promise whatso !
ever.
IV.- The available sources investi
gated are described in the Engineer's
report to the council March 19th.
Among these sources were: (a) the
Willamette Springs; (b) Wells in the,
hills west of the Suspension Bridge; 1
(c) the Canby Gravels described
above
(d) wells and springs in Mt.
Pleasant district, including the Law-
ton well and the Hartke spring; and
(e), later the Hollowell spring and the
Englebrecht tract.
Minor prospects:
(a) the Apperson Springs; (b) the
surface waters between Canby and
Oregon City, Including five springs,
among them the so-called "Lee"
springs, the "Hobo" and other un
named.' These are of doubtful qual
ity and quantity and open to serious
contamination.
Un visited sources:
(a) Test boring at the P. E. & E. R.
R. bridge crossing at New Era en
countered what was alleged to be ar
tesian water, but the amount of sul
phur contained renders it non-palatable;
(bthe Gard springs, once be
fore investigated, showed a smaller
flow than would be practicable for fur-
ther consideration at this time.
Said report recommended the fur-
ther investigation of the Mt. Pleas-;
ant prospects by the sinking of a cased
well to a depth not to exceed 250 feet
and a test pumpage, and analysis if
results should justify them. He fur
ther recommended a similar test of a
deep well at Canby and should there by this committee, even Bull Run sup
be found sufficient flow, careful chem- ply for this city, before the facts in
ical and bacteriological examinations
covering a period of time should be
made before deciding definitely in re
gard to source. For his service of 13
days and for drafting materials, re
port, etc., he received $339.57. The
Council directed the committee to
make investigations, Feb. 19, 1913, and
made an appropriation of
therefor.
$500.00
V. The council committee then ad
vertised through the Portland papers
for a contractor to drill a test well.
The matter was also advertised in the
city press. From four bids received
for this work and opened at a meeting
of the committee and. Messrs. Stone, '
Noble and Dieck, upon the advice of
the engineers present, the contract
was awarded to G. E. Scott, his bid
being lowest. Mr. Scott entered into
written agreement to perform the cording to the city engineer's meas
work according to regular plans and urements, actual or estimated, the dis-
specifications prepared by the ci.y en-
gineer. Both contract and specilica- running stream, 600 ft.; from the lake,
tions are attached hereto, and may be 1600 ft.; from the Willamette 1800 ft.;
referred to for terms, prices, etc. and from the Clackamas, 2500 ft. If,
The committee went over the Mt. however, the water from these sources
Pleasant district and inspected the should find its way to wells it would
Lawton well, and other prospects, Ap- signify little or nothing, as it would
ril 24th. It was finally decided to have to pass through the above quoted
drive a well on the Wm. Ladd tract distances of the best quality of water
in this district and an option was se- gravel, which would eliminate the pos
cured for 90 days for $1.00 considera- sibility of contamination, we believe,
tion April 29th, and the committee In fact this gravel is universally rec
met and accepted the same May 2d. ; ognized as the best filter for water for
Having gone on with the drilling so municipal purposes. For example
far as the appropriation of $500 would many of the cities of this country and
allow and believing a deeper drilling -of Europe are supplied . with water
should be made, the council in spe- from lakts or streams turned
cial meeting at which a large number into and filtered through artificial beds,
of prominent citizens and taxpayers Gladstone obtains her supply, said to
expressed a desire to see the work go
further, voted an appropriation of
$1000.00 more to continue this well
to a greater depth. This ordinance
passed its second reading April, 9th.
The drilling was continued to a depth
of 314 feet. Having failed to . find
water in sufficient quantities to sup- The soil surrounding this well is clay
ply the city, Mr. Scott, at a special loam, clean and under cultivation, and
meeting of the council and . several within a hundred feet of the main trav
citizens, June 4th, recommended to eled highway.
discontinues drilling on Ladd tract as ' It has been claimed that the water
he had reached a depth and conditions that rose in the well was seepage from
where the project was unpracticable the Willamette, but this .was proven
for further development. He offered idle speculation by the facts in the
to furnish two million gallons' of pure case.
water to tne city per day from wells
if allowed to select the site in close
proximity to Oregon City. He would
take his own chances on the purity
and supply depending upon critical
examination of
both, the former i
inrougn a series
ui uoui cnemicai
and hacterininfrioai t0t ,.,-.,, !
over a period of several weeks and 17 talght opportunity to inspect
the latter through pumpage tests. He th grounds and see and taste this
would furnish all materials, and do i wter ABZeraZ rent dates were
all work efficiently and expeditiously, i f et atnd the hu.rs named fr Pump
His price for the same he set at lng at non ami J? tne ev?mng, when
$6000, if he fulfilled the conditions of the,me1n fro business and from work
his contract. He also offered to fur-' C. by a h"le extra effort- be pres'
nish a good and sufficient bond for iff1" any f u.r citlzells availed
the faithful performance of the con-! ;??mselves. of this opportunity and
tract - I tnl3 committee has yet to hear from
. He further offered to drill the well f?y on. of them unfavorable comment,
at the nominal price of $1 per foot some of them were at first pre-
the city to furnish pipe, which, in &inst it.
case he was not successful in this at-1 Tne 8011 formation is entirely fav
tempt to produce a satisfactory sup- I orable to this location for wells, ren
ply of water, he would pull if possible ! derinS surface contamination imp'os
and allow the city the cost price for slble we believe. It was shown in the
the same. In case the wells were ac- i drilling that there are four strata of
cepted, the regular price should be , eartn and gravel: (1) an earthy clay,
paid. clean and fine and difficult for water
The councilmen at this meeting, I to Pass through, thus providing an ex-
June 4th, decided to accept the second I
offer and .passed an ordinance ap
propriating so much as might be nec
essary to use for such further inves
tigation, the sum of $380.00, first read
ing. At this meeting were, besides the
councilmen present including the
committee, a number of citizens and
taxpayers. . , Expressions were unan
imous urging this further effort,
fc Ml Hir ni I - -, a
June 10th, an option was secured
on the G. , Englebrecht ,: tract and
lying just beyond the limits of the city
along by the road leading to Park
Place. This option was to run for 60
days and the price of the property, if
purchased at expiration p1 that per
iod, was $625 per acre. No charge
was stipulated for the option itself.
Later the committee became personal
ly responsible for destruction of crop,
fences, etc., incident to the worlt. The
committee and Mr. Scott inspected the
Hollowell Springs and considerable
territory in the region of Gladstone,
Meldrum, and the Clackamas river
mouth, having determined upon this
course at a special meeting of the
council committee the evening previ
ous, but found no site that promised
so much as the tract above mentioned,
ond well was drilled o a depth of 52
feet a short distance to the north side
of the first.
Cost of wells:
. Ladd Tract Site. '
May, drilling 14 ft. at $3, soil
8 ft. casing $ 42.00
May, drilling 236 ft. at $5, rock
and miscellaneous 1222.00
June, drilling 64 ft extra at
$2.50 160.00
June, drilling 134 ft., 6 inch
pipe 87.65
June, labor pulling pipe
8.75
$1520.40
June, less 117 ft., 6 inches line
pipe pulled, at 65c 76.05
Total $1444.35
Englebrecht Tract Site:
June 17-30:
Drilling 148 ft. at $1.00 $ 148.00
Casing, 8 inches, 35 ft. 9 in. at
$1.00
Pnlling pipe .'
July 1-8:
Drilling, putting in pump, etc
Casing 8 in. 52 ft. 7 in
Express on Jacks "
Express on Jamming Devices
Miscellaneous during pumping
Pumping total, one da y...
35.75
17.50
61.25
52.60
6.30
2.45
4.50
17.o0
$ 345.85
Less available pipe,
52 ft. at $1.00 $52.00
100 ft. at 65c, ......... 65.00
Total v.. $117.00
Above total ...$ 345.85
Less 117.00
! $228.85
Cost of pulling pipe $ 17.50
$246.35
Entire cost of drilling three
wells .$1690.70
.Condemnation
From the first there has been opposi
tion to every investigation attempted
any case could be established.
In opposition to the Englebrecht
well it has been stated:
(1) That the tract overflows and
the well would be contaminated there
by. The latter claim has been refuted
by the statement of hydraulic engi
neers that all surface water may be
easily and effectively cased ,out from
any opening. The pipes themselves
are impervious to all outside influ
ences including water, and the sur
rounding territory could be kept en
tirely free from contaminating influ
ences, the city having options on four
to eight acres of the same,
(2) A second objection urged was
that the site of the well was subject
to all the contamination of the Aber-
nathy Creek, a nearby lake, and the
Willamette and Clackamas rivers. Ac-
tances are : from the Abernathy, a
De pure, irom tne Clackamas river
and filtered through a chute 4 to 5
feet in diameter, a few feet long and
pumped direct into the mains, we are
informed. Again, these streams are
all flowing water and the lake is fed
by springs and can easilv be drained.
During the summer while observa-
tions were being made in regard to
water conditions, the Willamette low
ered between 4 and 5 feet and the
water in the well lowered, onlv 4 in-
ches. and this after pumpage.
1 nal evei7 ciuzen in tne commun-
cellent filter in Itself, 8 ft. thick; (2)
sandy loam 20 ft in depth; (3) then
occurs a four foot layer of very fine
sand.
This sand contains also a slight ad
mixture of clay ; (4) then a clean
genuine water bearing gravel is found
18 to 20 ft, in depth. There is found
water estimated at nearly two million
gallons per day per four wells. Sam
ples of these formations or strata are
exhibits 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively. Sam
ples of this and other water taken
from the river and hydrants were sub
mitted for analysis and comparison.
The reports obtained from the state
bacteriological laboratory, have al
ways been public property and could
have been obtained from the chairman
of this committee by any councilman
for the asking. No official outside the
committee ever requested the results
from the examination of the samples
in question. The committee, for
obvious reasons, decided not to pub
lish these reports until such time as
the Portland Commissioners would
furnish in writing the terms of Bull
Run water supply for Oregon City to
the committee itself. It was expected
every day for weeks that these terms
and report of , the Commissioners
would be received and the whole mat
ter of water supply reported upon to
our citizens, but for reasons, which
will appear later, the days dragged on
and into weeks and months until last
week when said report was received.
The reports, so far as the analysis
itself is concerned, are the same as on
file in the state laboratory but this
means little or nothing and in this
case is absolutely misleading.
The reports of all samples submit
ted by this committee during the past
summer in connection with this pure
supply matter are as follows:
July 3, 18 organisms cc and absence
colon D. ¬
July 9, 125 organisms per cc and
presence colon b.
July 17, 35 organisms per cc, ab
sence colon b.
July 22, 3 organisms per-cc, absence
colon b.
juiy ino. i, 4 organisms per cc,
aDsence colon b.
July 29, No. 2
absence colon b.
organisms per cc,
July 31, 35 organisms per cc, pres
ence colon b.
July 31, 2,160 organisms per cc, pres
ence coion d.
July 11 (OAC) 50 organisms per cc,
ausence colon b.
i nese reports are" verified bv tne
original from the laboratories except
inai juiy z date appears as Aug. 31
in tne records.
In the press attack of October 24th
there are but two samples renorted
and great stress is laid on that of
July 9th, which sample showed 125 or
ganisms and presence of colon bacilli.
The fact is, this , sample was taken
rrom tne river and submitted as a
matter or comparison as to number
or organisms, presence colon bacilli.
etc. The bacteriologist does not ask
or know, nor does he care about the
source of - samples. His business is
to analyse and report the results. This
he did.
In addition to the samples from the
wen, tne sample of July 29th. No. 1
was taken from hydrant near Esren''
store, 7th & Taylor streets; the other.
No. 2, from G. B. Dimick's lawn hy-
urani, doiu snowing tew organism
ana absence of colon bacilli. Of the
sample of July 31, the one showin 85
organisms "was taken from near the
intake, -and the other from beside the
dock the source revealed to the bac
teriologist. These were selected as a
matter oi corroborative interest.
It is interesting to note the small
number of organisms contained in the
river water at the intake, and the fav-
oranie condition of the hyflrant sup
ply. The critics of the well water have
said nothing about the O. A. C. report
oi pure samples, nor have they ac
knowledged the fact that every sample
except tnose rrom the river submit
ted to the state laboratory was rennrt
ed pure;' that the number of organ
isms was very low. the last one n.
taining only three, which is as low as
mat of the filtered product itself dosed
witu cnemicals to destroy all ilfe
The water from the well has not had
fair consideration in-comparison with
other sources and yet has analvzed
pure. No less authority than the Sec
retary state Board of Health declared
wnen tne first sample was delivered
that, should it hot be found pure, he
would not condemn it as the drilling
had been completed only a few hours
before. Again, the casing of the well
was open at the top during the tier-
iods between pumpings, several days
apart usually, and during public in
spection. Close to the public hishwav
over which there were hundreds of
teams and vehicles passing every day
and clouds of dust filling the air, that
it could be pure could hardly be ex
pected, and yet that it was is shown
Dy analysis even the first sample,
while the last showed only three or
ganisms and no colon bacilli.
The Live Wire Committee, with oth
er citizens, met with the council com-J,
mittee . m July and suggested to the
later that the State Board of Health
be requested to pass judgement on
the said tract for water purposes. The
chairman so advised the Secretary,
who replied that no. well in the Will
amette Valley would he recommend,
unless very deep. No effort was made
to go further with the matter, as this
practically condemned all available
well supplies. The contractor closed
the pipe when he moved his machinery
away, and the city engineer ordered
a pump in, but owing to the rust ac
cumulating in the same, further test
has not been practicable. Then, too
the matter of further development has
been delayed for the Bull Run propos
ition under consideration since .Tulv.
when the new city government of Port
land became established.
The total cost of the investieations.
we affirm, is justifiable on the basis
of municipal business and humanitar
ian enterprise. It has had for its ob
ject the solution of a problem involv
ing tne Health and progress of the
community. That such thorough in
vestigation should be made before
spending larger sums of money to ob
tain a supply of pure water from a
distance, we believe, is sound. It can
not be truthfully asserted that this
money has been wasted, as the work
done and the facts established will
obviate the necessity for future ef
fort and expense along this same line.
Nor is this all. The committee main
tains that it has discovered a supply
of water of sufficient quantity through
the operations of four to six wells to
supply this city with a population sev
eral times its present size; that this
water is palatable cold, registering 52
degrees, and believes that a series of
fair tests chemical and bacteriologi
cal would Corroborate those now on
record.
That this investigation has been a
business proposition is further corrob
orated by the expenditure of much
more money by bur own business cor
porations for the same purpose and in
the same Way. During the present
year, the Willamette pulp and Paper
Company authorized at one time
$2000.00, at another $1000.00, and still
further up to $5000.00, exclusive of
the engineer's compensation, amount
ing to several hundred dollars more
for the drilling of wells on their prop
erty on the West Side. They have
little or nothing to show for their ef
forts; but they declare it a wise in
vestment and are planning to go into
the matter again.
The Moody Land Company employ
ed Mr. Scott at a much higher price
to drill for water on their property
immediately after drilling here. They
were not successful in finding water,
though, within two hundred feet of
the Willamette bank and at consid
erable depth. They are satisfied with
their investment in finding out what
conditions are, however.
The following estimates of costs of
conveying water to consumers are
ased upon the maintainance of the
present system of a reservoir at Mt.
View .and another reservoir proposed
by the Board of Water Commissioners
and to be located on the tract now
owned by the city and including the
site of the Jones crusher. The pipe
lineswould be direct from wells to re
servoirs and the present pumps re
moved and utilized in the new "plant.
From Wells to reservoir at Mt. View:
(1) 10000 ft. 12-in. pipe at
$1.00 ... $10,000.00
J Hauling, labor, etc., at
25c ... 2,500.00
$12,500.00
From wells to proposed reservoir at
Crusher: .
(2) 5800 ft 12-in pipe at $1 . .$ 5,800.00
Hauling, labor, etc., at
25c 1,450.00
. $7,250.00
(3) Estimated cost of 4-8 in.
wells each producing
600,000 gals, or a total
of 2 400,900 gals, per
day '.. $ 1,500.00
Estimated cqst of pit
for pumps 1,000.00
(4) . Total cost wells and .' ,
pipe line to Mt. View
reservoir $14,500.00
(5) Total cost wells and.
pipe line to Crusher
site ." 9,250.00
'6) Adding cost of new
pumps to (4) would
cost 17,500.00
(7) Adding cost of. new
- pumps to (5) would
cost 11,250.00
' The following estimate is based on
conveying water .from wells to pres
ent pumping station a plan not rec
ommended by the committee:
(8) From wells to station
5800 ft. 2-in. pipe at
$1.00 $ 5,800.00
Hauling, lsibor, etc., at
25c 1,450.00
Pump and Pit 1,000.00
Total $8,250.00
Another Plan.
Using the present system, entering
the mains at the nearest point prac
ticable, would eliminate a large part
of the cost of the proposed pipe line3
to the reservoirs.' The total cost per
year then for operation of these wells
would be to the consumer under this
most feasible plan:
Cost of water per mo. for yr. $0,000.00
Int. on well construction
$1500 at 5 per cent t . . 75.00
Int on well pit for pumps
$1000 at 5 per cent 50.00
Depreciation 10 per cent on
pumps and pit 250.00
Cost of pipe line from wells
to 5th street main, to' sup
ply upper reservoir dis
trict, estimated 8,000.00
Int. on $8000 at 5 per cent ... ' 400.00
Depreciation iron pipe, 4 per'
cent . 320.00
Superintendent 1,500.00
Three operators, ($100, $75,
$75), $250 per mo. .... 3,000.00
Incidentals 1,000.00
Cost per year $6595.00
Cost per month $ 549.58
VI. Bull Run Supply for Oregon City,
Last winter definite effort was put
forth by the council committee to ob
tain Bull Run water from the City of
Portland, but at that time her city
charter would allow only a two-year
contract, thus making it necessary to
renew the contract with each admin
istration, or to obtain the consent of
her electorate through an election to
a change in the charter.
Under these conditions it was deem
ed inadvisable to proceed ih the
matter iarther.
Immediately after the Commission
ers took office under the new Port
land charter July 1st; the committee
renewed its. efforts and from time to
time urged the grant of water rights
to this city. Many conferences were
held, and many problems legal and
civic came up for solution in connec
tion therewith. Finally the commis
sioners granted verbally and then in
writing this concession, Oct. 22d. The
city attorney's opinion covering the
legal phases of the question most like
ly to appear followed, corroborating
the right of the city to sell water to
outside municipalities.
The terms thereof are in general:
(1) Oregon City shall construct a
pipe line from reservoir No. 1 the
point of contact urged by the commit
tee at Mount Tabor to such point as
Oregon City may select.
(2) Water shall be furnished through
meter.
(3) The amount of water is 1,500,000
per day.
(4) Rates:
(a) First 4500 gals, at 22Hc per 1000
gals.
(b) Next 150,000 gals. at-il6 2-3c per
1000 gals. .
(cj uver i5,&ou gais., at 13 l-Kc per
1000 gals.
Payment therefore to be made
monthly in advance, based upon the
estimated amount to be consumed and
adjusted to correspond with the meter
reading. Oregon City shall also pay
into the Water Board Sinking Fund the
sum of $2000.00 per annum.
(5) Period granted is ten years at
the meter rates now established.
(6) The sale of water by Oregon
City to be prohibited outside its cor
porate limits.
Analysis of These Terms
(1) That Oregon City should con
struct her own pipe line is a pure busi
ness proposition, leaving to her the
choice of materials, including kind of
pipe, wood, iron or steel-cased, the en
gineering service, right of way, main
tainance, etc.-
'. The committee urged that the wat
er should be drawn from the Mt. Ta
bor reservoir, instead of from the Port
land pipe line at Gray's crossing, the
point heretofore urged. This pipe line
is now inadequate to supply its district
and at times there is a reduction in
the usual supply. To furnish Oregon
City then there would have to be con
structed a new line, which would have
to be charged in proportion to service
to Oregon City, or the people taxed
for same would have just cause for
complaint which might, at some fu
ture time, deprive us of the stipulated
amount. At the said reservoir there
is always an abundant supply.
(2). Meters.
The use 'of a meter at the Portland
eud of the line would no doubt require
Same here. It is maintained that this
is the only just and equitable plan,
and is employed in nearly all cities.
It is contended that when the flat rate
exists there is much waste on the part
of many consumers and in such case
the more careful must help pay for
this waste. This is true even where
there is a municipal plant, the small
economic user paying the same as the
large and wasteful consumer who may
use and waste many times more than
he. In the matter of sprinkling, for
instance, one man may sprinkle over
8000 square feet on even an inside lot,
while another may have a small frac
tion of this area, and yet must pay
the same amount
This flat rate plan in Oregon City
and its accompanying waste, it is
claimed, is accountable for ouLexces
sively high consumption rate per cap
ita,. The cost of meter to consume!
is approximately $8.40. These meters
might, it is suggested, be furnished in
place by the city from- the general
bond issue for the pipe lkiii at a rental
to cover Interest and depreciation. Or
sold on some plan of rebate.
(3) The number of gallons granted
is far in excess of. the amount used
now or that will likely be used for
many years to come, according to re
liable estimates, based on the increase
of population during :i number of
years past, and the present consump
tion per capita under conditions else
where similar to those existing in Ore
gon City. In engineer Dieck's report
of March 19th, it is stated: that since
1900 the growth of population seems
to be normal or approaching that.
While the relative growth lias " been
about 32.5 per cent per ten year period
since 1870 and about 1S.5 per cent per
ten years period since 1890, neither
of these rates seem to fit the casejwitli
sufficient approximation to warrant
its use in estimating future growth.
According to United States census re
ports, a mean rate of 25 per cent per
ten year period has been chosen as
closer approximation. Upon this basis
the estimated population will be
19205350
19306700 .
19408400
At this rate of increase, there will
be in 1934 seven thousand four hun
dred population. A greater growth
would be abnormal. -
Tbere is further stated in this re
port estimates, in the absence of ac
curate reports, of the daily consump
tion per capita during the present. Up
on this basis of 4600 population, the
net in 172 gallons per capita. Such
consumption is, evidently, in excess
of all reasonable requirements and in
dicates gross wastage. The losses gen
erally occuring are due to defects in
plumbing, leakage in the mains,, ab
normal drafts at the mills, etc. In
my visits to the city, leaking fixtures
were everywhere encountered. Toilets
and urinals were generally in a bad
state of repairs and discharged under
no regulation. The absence of meter
ed services, the general practice of
omitting pressure regulators and a
certain indifference as to the draft
upon the mains for public uses, are
undoubtedly the most important rea
sons for thehigh rate per capita. This
rate is considered beyond all reason.
I am convinced either ' reasonable
plumbing regulations and with meter
ed service the estimate following will
be ample and will in no sense restrict
the proper use of water. Keeping in
mind the local conditions in Oregon
City (with its large factory interests
and the irrigation necessities in the
dry months of summer) the following
estimate of per capita consumption is
safe:
Domestic uses: maximum gals, per
capita per day, 50; minimum gals., 40,
Commercial uses, maximum gals., 25
minimum. 20 gals. "
Public uses (sewer flushing, schools,
fire service, drinking fountains, blow
ing off mains, public building, etc)
maximum gals., per capita per day, 15,
minimum gals., 10.
Losses on all accts., 40 per cent
(large), maximum gals., 36; minimum
gals.. 28.
Total, maximum gals., per capita per
day, 126; minimum gals, per capita
per day, 98.
The maximum rate represents sum
mer use, the minimum the winter,
With the population of 1934 estimated
to be 7400 any new source of supply
should be capable of development to
the extent of 935,000 gjls. per day (in
round number l.uuo.uuu). un tne same
basis of popul.it ion the amount in 1950
would be 1,400,000 gals. Again, esti
mating the population at even 10,500
persons at the end of twenty years the
consumption would be allowing 100,
000 extra 1.500,000 gals.
Concrete example of consumption
under meter services are taken from
reading of (1) Portland West Side;
(2). East Side; (3), Albina; (4),
Lents; (5), Portland entire; (6).
Gresham. "
Water Meter Readings:'
West Side: No. Meters, 5757; gals,
per capita per day, 68.06; gals, per 30
days, 10209.
East Side: No. meters, 3546; gals,
per capita per day, 40.39; gals, per 30
days, 6058.5.
Albina: No. Meters, 2884; gals, per
cauita per day. 34.16: gals, per 30
days, 5124.
Lents: No. Meters, 59; gais. per cap
ita per day, 41.14; gals, per 30 days.
6171.
Av. gals, per capita per day, 37.6J.
Av. gals, per meter per 30 day
month. 56.43.
Gresham, entire city: No. meters,
192; gals, per capita per day, 20; gals,
per 30 days, 3000.
Estimate of supply required for Ore
gon City. Based upon meter readings
of residence districts of Portland:
Estimated population, 4500; gals, per
day per capita, 37.624; gals, per day
per service 188.10; gals, per day en
tire city, 169.290; gals, per 30 day
month per serv., 5643.
Estimate of supply required for Ore
gon City. Based upon meter readings
of Gresham for Sept. 1913:
Estimated population, 4500; gals.
per capita per day, 20; gals, per day
per service, 100; gals, per day entire
city, 90,000; gals, per 30 day month
per serviee, 3000.
Estimated cost to Oregon City.
Based upon quantities consumed in
Portland:
Gals, per day, 169,290; cost per day,
$27.98; costper 30 day month, $839.40;
cost per year,' 10,212.70; payment to
Sinking Fund, $2 000.00; total, $12,
212.70. Assuming the population to be 5000,
one-ninth added to $10,212.70, plus the
$2000.00 sinking fund, gives us $13,
347.40. Estimated cost to Oregon . City.
Based upon quantities consumed in
Gresham, during Sept. 1913:
Gals, per day, 90,000; cost per day,
$15.26; cost per 30 day month, $457.80;
cost per year, $5569.90; payment to
Sinking Fund, $2000.00; total cost per
year, $7569.90; adding one-ninth for
excess population, -$618.87; cost per
per year, $8188.77.
In estimating quantities, compari
son is not made with the Portland
West Side records, for the reason that
these include a very large number ofi
rooming houses, apartment houses,
etc., which makes a comparison with
residence unreasonable. The district
East of the river also contains a very
considerable number of apartments,
etc., which increases the reading per
meter per month over and above what
it would be in an ordinary residence
community.
The quantity consumed by Gresham
being lower than . the probable con
sumption of Oregon City, and the ave
rage for the Portland East Side being
higher on account of numbers of large
meters in use, a fair estimate of the
quantity required for Oregon City
would appear to be, from these two
estimates:
Gals, per day, 130,000; cost per day,
$20.50; cost per 30 day month, $615.00;
cost per year, $7482.50; Payments to
Sinking Fund, $2000.00; adding one
ninth for excess population, $831.37;
total cost per year, $10,313.87.
The payment to the Sinking Fund is
based upon a population of 4500. Any
increase consumption would mean a
proportionate decrease in the total
cost per 100 gallons, the $2000.00 be
ing a fixed price per year for the term
of the contract.
Estimated cost of the pipe line from
Oregon City to Portland:
Cost, F. O. B., Portland, 12-in. cast
iron, 10 miles, 528000 ft., at $1.34,
$68,640; fixtures and lead for joints
at $ .50, hauling and labor, etc., $26 -400;
total, $95,040.
Cost F. O. B., Portland, 14-in. cast iron
10 miles, 52800 ft, at $1.50, $87,120.00;
hauling, labor, fixtures etc., $ .60.
$31,680.00: total, 118,80o'.00.
Cost F. O. B., Oregon City, 12-in.
banded wood pipe, 10 miles, 52,800 ft.
at 50c, $26,400,00; labor, hauling, lay
ing, fixtures, etc., at 25c, $13,200.00; -total
$39,600.00.
Cost, F. O. B. Oregon City, 14-in
banded wood pipe, 10 miles, 52 800 ft,
at $ .70, $36,960.00; labor, laying, fix
tures, etc., at $ .28, $14,784.00; total,
$51,744.00. .
Based upon use and cost of 14:jn.
wood pipe and gravity delivery at a
point on the second ledge in Oregon
City, the approximate- cost would be
Cost of water per mo. for yr $8313.83
Superintendent 1500.00
3 operators, at $250per yr. . . 3000.00
Payment Sinking Fund 2000.00
Int. at 5 per cent on 14-in. pipe
line bonds 2587.20
Depreciation of line, 1-15 of
- of cost per yr 3449.60
Incidentals 1000.00
(1) Total cost per year $21 850.63
(2) Total cost per montE . . 1,820.88
(3) Average number consum
ers per mo. 1095 1.66
(1099 for Oct. 1913).
(5) The ten year period has been
criticised to the point of prohibition
of the entire plan. But a more thought
ful analysis than usually accorded this
term reveals conditions more favor
able to this source of supply than at
first appear.
Portland now has approximately 20,
000,000 gallons in her reservoirs and
available for immediate use in excess
of her heaviest day's record of con
sumption. She has another unde
veloped source accessible from which
she can obtain 40,000,000 gallons ad
ditional per day, and can add also sev
eral millions more to the daily delivery
at the reservoirs by adding to her pipe
line service to the' reserve. In addi
tion to all this she has plans definite
ly worked out and passed upon by ex
pert authority for the construction of
huge retaining dams in the gulches of
the reserve for the conservation of im
mense supplies during the dry sea
sons. Though her population should
increase phenominally, it is, we be
lieve, inconcievable that she should
need this insignificant quantity within
many future decades. Should the
time arrive when she will need more
than she shall have developed, it is
hardly conceivable that this small
amount of 1,500,000 gallons would be,
sufficient object for her to withdraw
it.
It is, we believe, a moral obligation
that our sister city offers to take up
on herself and which she will never
be permitted, by public sentiment
even, to take away. Once granted it
is conceded by those who ha ve taken
upon themselves the largest responsi
bility in this matter, that the term
will, at the expired time, he extended.
(6) The sale of water by Oregon
City outside her limits is prohibited.
The reason for this prohibition is obvi
ous. The committee, however, urged
upon the commissioners the desire to
furnish west Oregon City from the
supply obtained. The proposed plan
does not, however, prohibit furnishing
to all who may come into the corpor
ate limits and share this city's bur
dens of taxation as well as her joys of
living.
The estimates of cost to the city of
water obtained from either of the
sources mentioned does not include
extensions of city limits or first cost
installing of plant.
We, your committee, have endeavor
ed to do the work required in a thor
ough, economical and impartial man
ner. The large demands upon our
time and energy must be apparent to
all. We believe it is not for us to rec
ommend any one plan described to the
citizens of Oregon City who must even
tually decide for themselves this prob
lem of water supply. We do recom
mend that the electorate be given
early opportunity to record their
choice.
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