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Although at the outset it was deemed probable that an income might be derived from the use of these works equal to or exceeding the interest on the cost of their purchase, yet it has been the constant desire of all the successive Water Boards to sell them, when a favorable opportunity should occur. It was always felt that these works were a kind of excrescence upon the city system, being disconnected entirely with it. The condition of the works, their state of repair and prospective durability have not been very well understood; while there has been reason to suppose that in certain places, at least, the pipes had become quite tender.

Besides these reasons for effecting a sale, it was felt that there might some odium attach, or at least some ill feeling arise, from the circumstance of one city supplying the inhabitants of another with water, and taxing them therefor at its own discretion, without their having a voice or remedy in the matter. There can be no reason to suppose that the Legislature would grant the city such privileges, on an original application; and, therefore, it was deemed to be good policy to exercise them as short a time as practicable, while in possession for other purposes.

The Board, therefore, voted to advertise for proposals to purchase these works; and as a consequence, proposals were made, which resulted in a sale to George H. Williams, Esq., of Roxbury, for the sum of $32,000 $5,000 cash, (which has been paid;) the balance in nine annual payments of $3,000 each, interest annually, secured by mortgage of the works. Of course, the sale is conditioned that no water shall be supplied in the city of Boston from these works.

It is proper to add, that under a certain contingency of failing to obtain a legislative act, at the present session, which shall confirm certain doings under the charter and privileges conveyed by it, the purchaser may, in May next, annul the bargain. But, as even without that confirmation, the purchase is now, and prospectively will continue to be, a profitable investment, there can be no reason to suppose that the purchaser will wish to exercise this right.

Besides these sales, the Board have during this year leased the Hopkinton Reservoir, for a term of ten years, at a rental of $1,250 per annum. There are two old factories attached to the privilege; but they are regarded by neither party as of any value, the water being intended for use as a reservoir, to be drawn off in dry times, for the benefit of mill owners below, who become joint lessees of the same. Should the Board have opportu nity and inclination to sell, it has the power to annul the lease at any time, by relinquishing a year's rent. Though the amount received in the way of rent is small, considering the cost of this reservoir, it is to be regard ed as all gain; for the city has hitherto derived no benefit whatever from it.

In regard to leasing the Marlborough Reservoir for like purposes, a negotiation is now going on. But what success may attend it cannot now be foretold. All the property owned by the city in Marlborough and its vicinity, is now but a bill of expense; and should the efforts of the Board fail to lease the reservoir for some reasonable amount, the question whether it will not be good policy to sell off the whole at the most it will bring, will present itself under circumstances highly favoring an affirmative answer.

The unnecessary waste of water is a topic which has been pressed upon public notice by this Board, every year since its organization, with what effect will shortly be seen. To those who are accustomed to regard the people of Boston as an orderly and brotherly community, it cannot but seem strange that a habit prevails, which not only involves an enormous and useless waste of water, but also involves the deprivation of this necessary of life to quite a large number of citizens, who have (in this respect, at least) the misfortune to dwell in costly houses, in the elevated portions of the City. This Board has done its duty, and spared no effort to check this evil. It is extremely desirable that a wholesome public sentiment should be created on this subject, that would make water-takers ashamed of these wasteful practices. The consciousness of unnecessarily wasting water would then suffuse the cheek with a blush scarcely less deep than accusation of misdemeanor or crime. But, in spite of all that has been done, and all that has been said, the evil seems to increase. For it will be seen, by reference to the Engineer's Report, that the average daily consumption in 1856, has been 12,048,600 gallons, while in 1855, it was 10,346,300,-i. e., an increase in consumption of nearly 20 per cent. The number of watertakers is now 20,806, and, at end of 1855, it was 19,998, — i. -i. e., an increase of little more than 4 per cent. Thus, in 1855, (taking the number of inhabitants at 163,000,) the daily average consumption for each individual was near 63 gallons; while, in 1856, (taking the population at 168,000,) the daily average consumption for each individual has been nearly 72 gallons. Now all this increase can be nothing but sheer waste; (for

among the new water-takers there are few great consumers); and, of course, the waste of 1856 was equal to 81 gallons (or 121 per cent.) per day, for each individual, more than it was in 1855.

In this respect let 1855 be compared with 1854. In 1855 the daily average consumption was, as before stated, 63 1-2 gallons for each individual. In 1854 the daily average consumption was 9,902,000; equal (calling the number of inhabitants 158,000,) to near 63 gallons to each individual. So that in that year the increase of consumption was but a trifle more than what was indicated by the increase of population.

The subject might be further illustrated by comparing other years embraced in the table. No doubt dif ferent ratios of waste would be found to characterize the consumption of different years. But it is to be feared that in no year will the waste be found to bear a less ratio to the consumption, than in the year preceding it; while, as has been seen, it has increased during the last year 12 1-2 per cent.

The greatly increased consumption of the past season has put it out of the power of the Board to allow any considerable playing of the fountains, except occasionally on public days,—thus depriving the citizens of one of their most valued pleasures. The continued draft upon the pipes and consequent tendency to reduction of the water in the reservoirs, has rendered the utmost watchfulness and care necessary, on the part of the Superintendent, to turn on and off the water at various points, so as to keep the water in all the reservoirs at a height suitable for the convenient supply of the neighborhood

and also for an indispensable resource in case of fire.* After effecting these objects properly, there has been little surplus that could be let on to the public fountains.

A good deal of the waste undoubtedly results from the improper and imperfect manner in which the distributing pipes are put into and carried through the houses. And it has occurred to the Board to suggest to the City Government, if it has the power, the propriety and utility of exercising more control than it has hitherto done over the inserting and arranging the water fixtures within and upon the premises of the watertakers. The pipe should enter the house at a place secure from frost, and should be continued in the most secure places the premises afford; and if the premises do not offer places reasonably secure, they should be made so by artificial means. No pipe should be carried in a horizontal direction, but at an angle of less or greater elevation, so that, by means of a cock in the cellar, all the upper pipes could be emptied as a precaution against frost. Again, it is believed that persons are often more nice than wise in putting their pipes behind the plastering and next to a thin, exposed wall, where the risk of freezing is very great. If they would carry their pipes within the plastering, through rear halls and kitchens, where they would partake of the

* The importance of keeping a supply in the reservoirs, in case of fire, it is feared, is not generally fully appreciated. At the recent fire in East Boston, (which has occurred since the date of this Report,) more than 10,000 barrels of water were drawn from the reservoir, over and above what was drawn from the pipes constantly conveying water outside the reservoir. Had the reservoir been empty, it would seem as if the damage must have been greatly increased.

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